John T S Williams

WILLIAMS

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/11/2009 at 15:03:25

John T S Williams who is engaged in handling real estate in Ogden, is a representative of business men who almost from the beginning of the town have been identified with its commercial interests. He located here in June 1868, when there were only two stores in Ogden. He was born near Hanshenbrook, Canada on August 31, 1835, and is a son of the Rev Ebenezer and Margaret Williams, the former of Welsh descent and the latter of Scotch lineage. They were married, however in Canada and settled in the southern portion of that country but afterward removed to new York, thence to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and afterward to Iowa county, Wisconsin, where they made their home until coming to Boone county, Iowa in 1869. The father was a minister of the Episcopal church, devoting his entire life to that holy calling. For nine years he remained a resident of Iowa, passing away on December 8, 1878. His wife died in New York. After her death the father was again married, his second union being with Jane Hommann. By the first marriage there were two children, John T S, of this review and one that died in infancy.
In Philadelphia Mr Williams pursued his education and for three years was a student in the Dr Hare Academy, an Episcopalian school of that city. When he cam e to Iowa in 1868 he purchased a farm in Beaver township, Boone county, and with characteristic energy began the improvement of the place, continuing its cultivation successfully until 1880, when he abandoned the work of the farm in order to devote his attention to official duties.
From 1871 down to the present time Mr Williams has been an active factor in political circles in Boone county and in 1880 he was elected county treasurer, filling the position for two years. On the expiration of that period he established a general mercantile store in Ogden and conducted the enterprise with success for six years. He then turned his attention to dealing in agricultural implements and for four years was in that line of commercial pursuit. On the expiration of that period he was elected postmaster and served for four years under President Cleveland’s administration. When he again retired form office he turned his attention to the real estate and insurance business, in which he is engaged. His office is located on Main street and he has met with a fair degree of success in various enterprises which he has conducted.
Mr Williams was married to Miss Jane Thomas, of Iowa, county, Wisconsin, and they became the parents of seven children: G K, who resided o the old homestead in Beaver township, Charles H who is also living on the ld homestead. Charlotte N the wife of J H Nylander, who is engaged in agricultural implement business in Ogden and reside near the town, Lillie the wife of C H Reed, a dentist of Avoca Iowa, Laura, the wife of C L Thomas, a resident of Beaver township, Edgar, who is a printer by trade and is living in Scranton, Iowa, and Amy, who is engaged in teaching in the pubic schools of Ogden.
Mr Williams has always given his support tot eh Democracy and is a strong adherent to its principles, doing all in his power to promote its growth and insure its success. In 1870 he aided in organizing Beaver township and has always been and active factor in public affairs. He served as township clerk and was secretary of the school board throughout the period that he resided upon his farm in Beaver township. Throughout his residence in this state Mr Williams has been recognized as a valuable citizen, as a reliable man, a capable officer and one who, I all life’s relations, has commanded the respect and confidence of those with whom he ahs been associated.

1902 Boone County History Book