Alexander A. Williams (1842-1904)

WILLIAMS

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 11/3/2022 at 22:25:35

Alexander A. Williams
(April 19, 1842 – July 26, 1904)

A. A. Williams, who carries on general farming on section 2, Lincoln Township, is a native of the Keystone state, his birth having occurred in Center county, Pennsylvania, on the 19th of April, 1842, his parents being George and Mary (Adams) Williams. The Williams family is of Welsh origin, although the strain became mixed with German blood in colonial times. It is said that the paternal ancestors of our subject were connected with the Pilgrim fathers, who made an early settlement upon the Atlantic coast, and that they w ere sword-makers who engaged in the manufacture of swords for the colonial army during the Revolutionary war. The grandfather of our subject was a cousin of Abraham Lincoln. The parents of our subject were born in Center County, where the father carried on agricultural pursuits. In the year 1854 they emigrated westward, settling in Lee County, Illinois, where Mr. Williams purchased land and carried on farming for many years. He died at the advanced age of ninety, m the year 1S91. and his wife passed away in 1893. at the age of eighty-four years. In their family were six children: Ellis I., who for several years was a Pullman conductor, but at present is employed as a bookkeeper in a wholesale house in Chicago; J. P., who served as an army surgeon in the Civil war and since 1868 has been engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery; Nancy, the wife of Hollis Prescott, of Dixon, Illinois: Clara, the widow of J. P. Goodrich, a resident of Dixon; and Julius C. who owns and operates a farm near Dixon. In the public schools of Pennsylvania A. A. Williams acquired his elementary education, which was supplemented by study in the schools of Lee county. Illinois. Throughout his entire life he has followed farming. At one time he began the study of medicine, but did not find it congenial and abandoned it, returning to the farm. He was married in Dixon. Illinois. March 24, 1862, to Hettie E. Rosebrook, who was born at the foot of the White mountains in New Hampshire, her birthplace being Manchester. Her parents were also natives of the old Granite state and in 1854 they became residents of Illinois, where they spent their remaining days. The members of their family are: Mrs. Mary Ackert, of Manson; F. D., who is living in Chicago: Mrs. Anda Ackert, of Dixon: Lucius, of Oskaloosa, Iowa; and Emma, the wife of James Haw ley, of Lorimer, Iowa. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Williams have been born five children: Airs. Nellie Hyde, who resides on a farm near Manson and has three children, Evelyn, Wayne and an infant: George M.. horn November 15, 1875; Lottie, the wife of Albert Calmer, of Lincoln township; Evelyn, who was born September 20, 1884; and Ellis R., born November 3, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Williams began their domestic life in Lee County, Illinois, where they remained for four years and then came to Calhoun County, settling in Lincoln township, which has since been their home. The year of their arrival was 1876. Mr. Williams purchased two hundred acres of land, all of which he has placed under cultivation and with characteristic energy began the further development of his farm. For sixteen years he has been engaged in the breeding of high grade short-horn cattle and does his own shipping. He also raises Poland China hogs and makes a shipment once a year. His business interests are carefully conducted, for he is a man of sound judgment and keen foresight. He forms his plans readily and is determined in their
execution, and through honorable and persistent effort he has gained a place among the representative men of his adopted county. Both Mr. and Mrs. Williams attend the Methodist Episcopal church, of Manson, of which the lady is a member. He is an advocate of Republican principles and never fails to support the party by his ballot. He has served as constable and as school director, and socially he is connected with Morning Light Lodge, F. & A. M., of Manson.
[Source – Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S.J. Clarke, 1902, p.436]