Jesse C Williams

WILLIAMS

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/10/2009 at 11:50:30

Jesse C Williams, who is extensively engaged in farming on Sec 24, Marcy township, has made his home in Boone county since April 6, 1851, when he came to this locality wit his father. Comparatively few of the residents of the county have so long reside within its borders, and classed among the honored pioneer settlers Mr Williams well deserves representation in this volume. He was born in Henry county, Kentucky, April 2, 1825, and is a son of Jess and Susanna (Simmons) Williams, both of who were natives of Virginia, whence they removed to Kentucky, where the father engaged in farming until the year 1828. At that time he became a resident of Montgomery county, Indiana, where he purchased a farm, residing thereon until he came to this state in 1850. At that time he settled near Des Moines, but after a year came to Boone county, arriving in April 1851. He took up his abode in Cass township and there he devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits until his life’s labors were ended in death. He was one of the earliest settlers in the community and aided in laying broad and deep the foundation for the present progress and improvement of the locality. He died in 1854, while his wife passed away in 1869. In their family were eight children, but Polly, Annie, John, Nancy and Samuel are all decease. The next is Jesse C, of this review. Sanford B, the seventh now resides upon the o0ld homestead in Cass township, while Francis , the youngest of the family is deceased.
When the family came to Boone county the father and two of his sons located in Cass township, but Jesse C Williams came to Marcy township and took up his abode on his present farm. He had spent they years of his minority in his native state and was about twenty-five years of age when the family came to Iowa. He was the first settler in his part of Marcy township and secured his farm through a land warrant. He also bought land of the River company and thus secured a very large tract, being today one of the extensive land owners of the community. He has three hundred and twenty acres, all in Marcy township, and has been numbered among the progressive and enterprising agriculturists of this portion of the state. At the present time, however he is practically living retired from business life, while his son-in-law conducts his farming interests.
Mr Williams was married in Indiana to Miss Letitia Hopper, of Wayne county that state, and for many years she was t him a faithful companion and helpmate on life’s journey, but on August 26, 1892, she was called to the home beyond. In the family were nine children: James F, a resident farmer living near Woodward, Boone county, Mary E, the wife of Thomas Johnson, of Washington, Sarah E, the wife of Oliver Holloway, who is living in Montana, Robert, who married Jane Holloway and reside near his father. Harriet, the wife of Jerry Shaw, a representative of the old family, by whom she had five children, Nettie, Violet, deceased, Pearl, Opal, , and Roy T deceased. Mr Shaw now operates the farm belonging to Mr Williams and is a practical and progressive agriculturist. The children of the family that have passed way are: John Gilson, Dursilla, Martha, and Jesse.
At the time of the Mexican war Mr Williams, of this review, entered the army and fought for American rights. he was never injured in any way. He had also rendered effective service in civic affairs. At the time of the Civil War he was for four years a member of the county board of supervisors. He has filled various township offices. He votes wit the Democracy and takes a deep interest in the growth and success of his party. His daughter, Mrs Shaw, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Mary township. He has always been a hard working man and as a result of his enterprise and careful management he is now the owner of a fine farm. His life history proves that success may be won through strong determination, earnest purpose and honorable effort, and in many respects his life is well worthy of emulation.

1902 Boone County History Book