USA > New Jersey > Genealogical and memorial history of the state of New Jersey, Volume III > Part 77
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(VIII) Thomas Lindley, son of William Lindley Williams, was born at East Orange, New Jersey, May 5, 1863. At six years old he removed to Paterson with his parents, and his elementary educational training was begun in the Paterson public schools, supplemented by a three years' course at the Gray Lock Insti-
tute at Williamstown, Massachusetts. At the age of eleven years he commenced a three years' course of private instruction under the Rev. James Blaine at Mannys Corner, New York. Later he attended the Dearborn and Morgan private school at Orange, subsequently receiving a preparatory course for Stevens Col- lege at Hoboken under the Rev. Dr. Wyckoff, of Paterson. Preferring to enter the com- mercial world, he gave up the college course and accepted a clerical position in the office of the Paterson Gas Company, with his father, where he remained until September, 1881, when he accepted a similar position with the Newark Gas Light Company at Newark, New Jersey. He had by energy and strict attention to busi- ness in all its details, and by his probity, gain- ed such favor with his employers that he was looked upon as a valuable and promising factor for the company. He was an indefatigable worker, considered their most valuable em- ployee, implicitly trusted and highly esteemed by his associates. His close application and his desire to master what was to his chosen field, coupled with the valued instruction gained from his father, fitted him for a position of greater responsibility and remuneration. His ability in this particular line of work became recognized, and at the advent of the installing of the large holder of the Omaha ( Nebraska) Gas Company's plant, Thomas L. Williams was employed by the company, he being best fitted and most competent to undertake a proj- ect of this importance, and on April 16, 1885 (then at the age of twenty-two years) went to Omaha, where he became superintendent of the company's plant. Every detail in the con- struction of this immense gas holder came under his direct supervision and was carried through successfully, a monument to his un- tiring efforts and superior training and knowl- edge. It was by such effort that his success in life was gained, and all his energies and soul were in his work. It was through his devotion to his ideals, coupled by his never failing appli- cation to business, that his health was made to suffer greatly, undermining his constitution and resulting in his contracting the dread disease, typhoid fever, causing his death at Omaha, November 26, 1885.
Thomas Lindley Williams was a man of high moral ideals and attainments and, while modest and unassuming, his thorough unselfish nature so charmingly manifested not only in his home circle but abroad was one of his leading char- acteristics and drew to him a large circle of de- voted friends. His christian spirit was always
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manifest to those with whom he came in con- tact, and in Paterson, where he always lived, he was first among his equals. He was fond of his home and books, and devoted to his par- ents whom he sincerely and respectfully loved. He was a devoted member of the Broadway Dutch Reformed Church at Paterson, and be- came a deep student in all its teachings, as he was in the material affairs of life, even far in advance of his years. By his death a bright future was blotted out; he left an example to be sweetly cherished, a comfort to those who knew and loved him best.
WILLIAMS (VII) Edward Henry Will- iams, son of Ebenezer Will- iams (VI-q. v.), was born on his father's homestead on Washington street, Orange, New Jersey, September 20, 1825. He received his education in a private school kept by Sally Pierson, and later in the old White school back of the present Brick Church. He also attended the old academy at Doddtown up to fifteen years of age, and the academy on Main street, Orange, also work- ing on the farm for his father, who was a car- penter and left this work for his boys to do. Edward H. also helped his father at carpenter- ing and learned of him the trade, working at it for a time and doing some contracting. Later he removed to Newark and worked for Thomas Gruett, making coach bodies until he was about twenty-four years of age when Mr. Gruett failed. He subsequently found employ- ment with Edward E. Quimby, of New York, who was manufacturer of lightning rods. He was employed in the work of putting lightning rods on the buildings of New York City and suburbs and outside towns. About 1851 the business was turned over to Mr. Williams by Mr. Quimby, and the former continued in it up to 1860 when he removed to Cleveland, Ohio, where he took up his old trade of car- penter. He removed to Munroeville, a nearby town, in March, 1861, and continued at his trade. In July, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and First Ohio Infantry. At the mustering in of his company it was found to be over numbered, and he with others were transferred to Company B, One Hundred and Twenty-third Ohio Infantry, August 1, 1862, under Colonel William T. Wilson, and Sep- tember 24 was mustered into service. The regiment left for Parkersburg, West Virginia, October 16, 1862, and after marching and countermarching among the mountains and participating in several small engagements, ar-
rived at Winchester, Virginia, March 17, 1863. On June 12 they encountered the advance guard of Ewell's corps, which was on its way to Pennsylvania, and drove them back, but the following day the whole corps was met by the Union force of eight thousand men and the regiment suffered in lost and killed seventy-six men. The fighting continued through the fol- lowing day, June 14, and morning of June 15. In endeavoring to cut its way they again lost heavily in killed and wounded. Three officers were wounded and one afterwards died in Libby Prison. Three hundred and one men and twenty officers were taken prisoners and sent to Libby Prison and Belle Isle. On July 3, Mr. Williams was paroled with many others and sent to "Camp Parole," at Annapolis, Maryland, where he was exchanged November I. On November 29, 1863, he was promoted to quartermaster sergeant to rank from Octo- ber 25, 1863. The regiment continued in serv- ice until the surrender of General Lee at Ap- pomattox. His regiment participated in the battles of Winchester, July 13-14-15, 1863; New Market, May 15, 1864; Piedmont, June 5, 1864; Lynchburg, June 17-18, 1864; Snick- er's Ford, July 19, 1864; Winchester, July 24, 1864; Berryville, September 3, 1864 ; Opequan. September 19, 1864; Fisher's Hill, September 22, 1864; Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864; Petersburg and Hatcher's Run from March 30 to April 2, 1865, and High Bridge, April 6, 1865. After the surrender of General Lee the regiment returned to Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio, where it was mustered out on June 12, 1865.
On his return from the war Mr. Williams resumed the lightning rod business, and con- tinued in this up to 1903, covering a period of about fifty years. Mr. Williams has since been retired. He resides on Hillyer street, East Orange. His office was on Commerce street, New York City, for many years, and he also occupied other offices in New York City. He has done much work in the Oranges, New Jer- sey, and as far west as Ohio and Illinois. He found a market for his business from Maine to Montana and to the Gulf of Mexico. He built his residence on Hillyer street in 1872. He was a member of the old First Presbyterian Church, serving that body a's elder for nearly thirty years. He is deeply interested in foreign mis- sionary work. He is a member of the Men's Club of his church; Uzal Dodd Post, No. 12, Grand Army of the Republic, at Orange, serv- ing as post commander during 1883, and is a Republican in politics. He married, January
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13, 1870, at Orange, New Jersey, Ann Eliza- beth Williams, born March 1, 1830, died Feb- ruary 13, 1894, daughter of Albert and Phebe (Frost) Williams, of Orange. Albert Will- iams was a hatter by trade.
WILLIAMS (V) Samuel Williams, son of Samuel Williams (IV-q. v.), was born at West Orange, in the locality of St. Cloud, New Jersey, July 6, 1754, died there April 17, 1824. He was reared on the mountain homestead at St. Cloud, and at the breaking out of the revolution was in Cap- tain Christopher Marshe's troop of light horse, connected with the Second Essex county regi- ment. He was a prosperous farmer at St. Cloud, where he reared six sons and two daughters. In 1810 he was elected one of the overseers of the highways of Orange, and served his town in other capacities. He was a man of strong influence in his neighborhood and town. He was a devout churchman, a member of the old First Presbyterian Church at Orange. He married Eunice, born 1760, died January 2, 1840, daughter of Joseph and Rebecca (Smith) Pierson. She was a bright, energetic woman, and is remembered for her gentle christian influence. Joseph Pierson was a son of Samuel and Mary (Sergeant) Pier- son, grandson of Samuel and Mary (Harri- son) Pierson, and great-grandson of Thomas and Maria (Harrison) Pierson, the former the emigrant of Beauford, Connecticut. Rebecca (Smith) Pierson was a daughter of Joseph and Hannah Smith, and granddaughter of James and Jane (Crane) Smith, the former the Scotch ancestor. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Pierson : I. Amos S., mentioned below. 2. Daniel Smith, born 1785, died November 19, 1853; moved to Delaware county, Ohio; mar- ried Eunice, daughter of Japhia Condit ; chil- dren: i. Dorcas, born November 8, 1808, died September 2, 1824; ii. Reuben Smith, born March 13, 1811 ; married Elizabeth Markwith ; died April 23, 1876; iii. Susan, born July 25, 1813; married Lewis L. Pierson; iv. Silas Condit, born May 2, 1816; married Pyrena M. Pierson; v. Matilda, born December 29, 1817 ; married Smith Perry ; vi. Linus E., born January 16, 1820; married Mary J. Wheaton ; vii. Japhia Condit, born February 3, 1823, died April 8, 1848; viii. Eunice Condit, born April 21, 1827 ; married Caleb Bragaw ; died Febru- ary 3, 1872 ; ix. Dorcas A., born November 16, 1830; married Harvey Meeker; died Febru- ary 4, 1876. 3. Bethuel, born 1787, died Feb- ruary 15, 1838; married Sarah Pierson ; chil-
dren: i. Elicta, born November 18, 1814; married George McCloud; ii. Phebe A., born October 15, 1817; married George McHead; iii. Margaret N., born September 8, 1820 ; mar- ried George Perry ; iv. Hannah Maria, born April 9, 1824; married, March 21, 1847, David S. Beach; v. Sarah Maria, born December 30, 1831 ; married John Snow; vi. Ira, born July 5, 1826, died November 30, 1836; vii. Bethuel, born July 17, 1828, died July 19, 1828. 4. Linus, born 1793, died May 17, 1848; married Pyrena Pierson; children: i. L. Erdin, mar- ried Jane Wheaton; ii. Caroline, married Caleb Brokaw; iii. Almira, married Harry Meeker ; iv. Clark. 5. Lewis, born 1795, died December 25, 1839; married Mary Pierson ; children : i. Enos; ii. Mary, married Charles Townley ; iii. Lydia, married Thomas Thomp- son ; iv. Laura, married Phinehas Martin ; v. Amos; vi. Elicta; vii. Abigail. 6. Jonathan, born 1797, died January 27, 1859. 7. Hannah, born October 22, 1800, died April II, 1876; married Jotham Pierson ; children: i. Eunice, married Amos Stagg; ii. Harriet, married Lewis Condit; iii. Samuel, married Abbie Soper; iv. Linus, married Mary Geer; v. George; vi. Bethuel ; vii. Jonathan Smith, mar- ried Matilda Ross. 8. Eunice, died December 12, 1845.
(VI) Amos S., son of Samuel Williams, was born in the homestead of his father at St. Cloud, March, 1781, died there May 7, 1832. He was educated in the district school at St. Cloud. Like many of the Williams family he learned the trade of shoemaking, which he fol- lowed in conjunction with farming. He in- herited much of his father's property at the mountain, and occupied the original homestead of his grandfather, Samuel Williams, in later years occupied by Columbus Meeker. His farm comprised about eighty acres, and con- pared favorably with the best in the section. He cultivated the common crops, kept a herd of cattle, and was a thoroughly honest and hard-working individual. He was known among his neighbors for his quaint sayings. and was a great joker. In 1827 he was one of the overseers of the highways. He married Rachel Perry, born 1785, died November 6, 1836. Children: I. Caleb Perry, mentioned below. 2. Jane, married, September 11, 1834. Benjamin Townley. 3. Samuel, born June 23, 18II, died September 3, 1865; married, No- vember 8, 1834, Sarah Merrick ; children : John Merrick, Amos, Frank, David, Ada. 4. Wick- liff, married Mary Lambert ; children: Lewis, Samuel, Anna M. 5. Lewis, married Elvira
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; children : Minnie and Alice. 6. Jon- athan Perry, born February 1, 1814; married (first) Rachel Norwood; (second) Bridget McGoodwin; children : Anne E., Harriet, Emma, Josephine.
(VII) Caleb Perry, son of Amos Williams, was born at West Orange, New Jersey, Janu- ary 2, 1808, died at Orange, New Jersey, Oc- tober 27, 1880. His educational training was gained at the West Orange schools. In his early manhood days he learned the trade of shoemaker. He owned a small farm adjacent to lands of his ancestors at St. Cloud. While engaged at farming he was also an expert auc- tioneer, following this line for a number of years. He was quite a wit, and also possessed a jovial disposition, and these charactistics made him highly successful in the capacity of auctioneer. He also taught singing school for many years. He took up the shoemaking trade, and after leaving his St. Cloud farm became foreman for Joseph A. Condit, who had a shop at the foot of Livingston road in West Orange. He remained with Mr. Condit about thirteen years, living in Dark lane. When Mr. Condit discontinued business, Mr. Williams became a shoe cutter for Robert McGowan, a prominent shoe manufacturer of the Oranges and remain- ed in this position up to his death in 1880. He was a man of prominence in the community. strong in his principles of Democracy. For six years he was assessor in the second ward at West Orange, and under Mayor Roche served in the office of city clerk. He was also constable for a number of years. He was choir master in the old First Methodist Church for twelve years. He possessed a patriotic spirit and a kind heart, and it is said he never had an enemy. He was a good citizen, high- ly respected in all walks of life. He married, September 23, 1830, Maria, born May 26, 1812, died June 9, 1893, daughter of Calvin and Jane (Ward) Townley. Children : I. Calvin Town- ley, born June 20, 1831, died March 7, 1897 ; married Margaret Mooney ; children: Lowell, Mary, Grace. 2. Mary, born January 27, 1833, married Robert Farron. 3. Paulina White- head, born July 14, 1834, died February 26, 1839. 4. Alpheus Allen, mentioned below. 5. Hanford Smith, born August II, 1839; mar- ried, November 2, 1870, Minna Burnett ; chil- dren: i. Clarence Leon, born October 2, 1871 ; married, October 29, 1905, Mabel Hardy ; child, Leon Hardy, born 1906; ii. Edith Daisy, born April 6, 1873. 6. Ellen, born December 9, 1841 ; married, June 15, 1864, Charles Banty ; children : William, Edward, Gretta, Herbert,
John. 7. Harriet, born February 7, 1846; mar- ried (first) May 28, 1865, John Mack; (sec- ond) Henry Townley ; children: Elmer, Eliz- abeth ; Harriet, Warren. 8. Horace, born June 8, 1844, died February, 1845. 9. Martha Ann, born October 1, 1848, died August 19, 1852. IO. Alonzo Smith, born August 10, 1851, died January 25, 1860. II. Stephen Perry, born April 2, 1858 ; married, January 1, 1876, Mary Elizabeth Fallon; children : i. Sylvester Paul, born September 14, 1877 ; married, November, 1903, Laura Peterson ; ii. Joseph James, born March 15, 1879; married Annie Smith; chil- dren : Mary, Elizabeth, Florence ; iii. Stephen, born January 24, 1881, died June 21, 1883 ; iv. Stephen Victor, born June 7, 1883; married, December 23, 1903, Anna Golden: John Clif- ford, born November 22, 1904; Mary Frances, born February 22, 1907 ; v. Alonzo Alfonsas, born June 24, 1884, died May 31, 1890; vi. Mary Loiola, born May 25, 1886; married, June 27, 1907, Charles Coleman ; child, John Bernard, born September 31, 1908; vii. Jen- nette Barbara, born March 23, 1888; married Daniel Coleman ; children: Anna, born Octo- ber 10, 1907 ; Daniel Stephen, born December 23, 1908, died August 27, 1909; viii. John Ed- ward, born August 18, 1890; ix. Florence Rose, born June 29, 1892; x. Edith Marie, born Au- gust 29, 1894; xi. Elizabeth, born August 3, 1896.
(VIII) Alpheus Allen, son of Caleb Perry Williams, was born on the old Williams farm at St. Cloud, West Orange, New Jersey, No- vember 23, 1836. He was reared on his father's homestead, attending the St. Cloud district school until fourteen years of age, when he moved with his parents to Valley road, West Orange. He attended the Tory Corner and St. Mark's schools up to fifteen years of age, and subsequently up to seventeen helped his father at shoemaking. At the age of seventeen he spent two years learning the trade of ma- chinist of Ezra Gould at Newark, after which time he went to Chicago, where he engaged in carpentering, remaining in and around Chicago until 1858, when he returned to Orange and entered the employ of William Reeves as a journeyman carpenter, subsequently working for William Allen, remaining to the breaking out of the civil war. On September 17, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, Twenty-sixth New Jer- sey Volunteer Infantry, at Newark, New Jersey. On September 26 the regiment left Camp Fre- linghuysen at Newark and proceeded to Wash- ington, D. C., where it encamped on Capital Hill, and was assigned to General Brigg's bri-
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gade, Sumner's corps, remaining in the vicinity until October I, when the regiment proceeded towards Fredericksburg, Maryland, and on the IIth marched to Hagerstown, the regiment being under command of Colonel Andrew J. Morrison. It later proceeded towards the Rap- pahannock and was exposed to severe sharp- shooting fire in crossing the bridge at Fred- ericksburg, and December 13, 1862, was on the celebrated Mud March and in the Fredericks- burg engagement. April 28, 1863, it advanced again towards Rappahannock, and May 3, 1863, took part in engagements of Fredericks- burg and Salem Church, May 4. He was con- fined at hospitals at Aquia Creek and Finlay Hospital at Washington. The Twenty-sixth being a nine months regiment, he was honor- ably discharged June 27, 1863, by reason of ex- piration of term of service.
Mr. Williams subsequently went to Nash- ville, Tennessee, and took a contract with the government as carpenter in the car shops of that town. He remained there but six months, owing to breaking out of yellow fever. He re- turned to Orange, New Jersey, and re-engaged himself to William Allen as journeyman car- penter, remaining in his service as long as Mr. Allen continued in business. He later formed a partnership with Moses J. Williams under the firm name of M. J. & A. A. Williams, con- tiactors and builders; their quarters were in the old Eleazer Williams shop on Hillyer street. After two years the partners dissolved their relations, and Mr. Williams became foreman for Willard Howell, remaining fourteen years. after which he entered into partnership with John H. Parkhurst, under the firm name of Williams & Parkhurst, conducting a prosper- ous business for fourteen years, when the busi- ness was dissolved, Mr. Williams removing to Brooklyn and becoming an appraiser of prop- erty for the city of New York, continuing for five years. He subsequently returned to Orange and again engaged in the building busi- liess, and in 1905 admitted his son, Frank A., as a partner. The present firm is known as A. A. & F. A. Williams, contractors and build- ers, with shop quarters on North Park street. The firm is regarded as one of the most reli- able in the Oranges for their thorough and conscientious workmanship, many residences having been erected by them. The Williams & Parkhurst firm erected Masonic Hall, Decker's Block, and other buildings of prominence in and around the Oranges. Mr. Williams is a inember of the Washington Street Baptist Church, being connected therewith for the past
thirty-three years, having served fifteen years as deacon, trustee, and in other offices. His wife was also a devout member of this church. He adheres strictly to Republican principles in politics, and has served on the board of edu- cation for four years. He is a member of Uzal Dodd Post, No. 12, G. A. R., and served as commander. He is a member of the Master Carpenters' Association of the Oranges.
He married, January 5, 1865, Mary Jane, born August 7, 1842, died September 10, 1902, daughter of James and Jane Cathcart. Chil- dren: I. George Marr, born November 13, 1865; married, November 16, 1887, Lotty Moore, born October 7, 1868, daughter of Isaac and Emma (Carleton ) Halleck: i. Flora Allen, born February 3, 1890, died July I, 1901 ; married, June 24, 1908, Thomas Carter Shannon ; child, Thomas Carter Jr., born April 26, 1909; ii. Hazel Cathcart, born February 7, 1893; iii. Almira Metcraft, born June 25, 1896. 2. Frank Allen, mentioned below. 3. Ida May, born May 17, 1884; married Edward Bedford.
(IX) Frank Allen, son of Alpheus Allen Williams, was born on Day street, near Main, Orange, New Jersey, January 17, 1869. He attended the public schools of his native town until thirteen years of age, when he entered the employ of Ward & Johnson, dealers in sewing machines, remaining two years. Subse- quently for about a year he was in the employ of Seabury & Johnson in their printing depart- inent. At the age of sixteen he began a three years apprenticeship with his father at the trade of carpenter, and later for six years con- tinued as journeyman and foreman, subse- quently entering the business (building). He was successful as a builder, having his shop on Washington street until it was destroyed by fire in 1893, when he was engaged in the same line in Connecticut for a time. Later he re- turned to Orange to take a position as car- penter for the Electric Light Company, which position he occupied until the winter of 1897. In January, 1898, he made a trip to Alaska on a prospecting tour. After a short stay there he located in Tacoma, Washington, where he was engaged as a journeyman carpenter for two years. He returned to Orange. March 12, 1900, and for a year was engaged in building in his own behalf, and later was foreman for John Berryman, contractor. In 1905 he was admitted as equal partner with his father under the firm name of A. A. & F. A. Williams, con- tractors and builders. This firm has erected many fine residences in the Oranges, the large
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addition of the North Orange Baptist Church having been built by them. Mr. Williams has erected a number of residences on speculation, a number of them being on Baldwin Terrace. He was a charter member of the Washington Street Baptist Church ; Mr. and Mrs. Williams are now members of the Hawthorn Baptist Church. Mr. Williams is a Republican in poli- tics. He is a member of the Sons of Veterans, Uzal Dodd Camp, No. 14, having served that body as treasurer since its organization; and the Master Builders Association of the Oranges. He married, August 19, 1891, Mary, born November 2, 1870, daughter of William and Hannah (Buckley) Parkinson, of Orange. William Parkinson was a real estate dealer of Orange, and served as alderman six years. Children : 1. William Kenneth, born June 21, 1892, died July 28, 1892. 2. Allen F., born October 7, 1893. 3. Floyd Allen, December 30, 1895. 4. Erle Bruce, November 25, 1899. 5. Emily Parkinson, July 2, 1901.
WILLIAMS (V) Zenas Williams, son of Nathaniel Williams (IV-q. v.), was born in 1762, in the homestead erected by his great-grandfather, the first Matthew, which came to his son Amos, who was grandfather of Zenas. This house was built of quarried stone, disposed to crumble, twenty feet front and twenty-eight feet deep, one and one-half stores high, a clumsy chimney like a stone fence set on end, a roomy garret containing a large grain bin with a spout at the bottom to draw off the contents ; two small windows in the front of the house and an entry eight feet wide across the eastern end. a cavern- ous and gloomy house, but comfortable and secure. It was demolished about 1822 ; at times it looked as though it were a hundred years old. It was then replaced by a frame structure, standing in 1884, by Zenas Williams. The spot has since been owned by Mr. Bramhall ( 1886). Zenas Williams was a captain of the local military company. He invested largely in lands and owned large tracts. The present farm of J. Caldwell Williams was part of his lands and descended to his son, John Williams, father of J. Caldwell Williams, and has come to the present generation. It is said Zenas Will- iams had sufficient lands to give each of his six sons a farm when they married. He culti- vated the soil, raised common crops and had horses, cattle and sheep. His wife Naomi was said to have been a most capable woman and a good manager. They were members of the First Presbyterian Church of Orange, and
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