Williams, Thomas 1837 - 1912

WILLIAMS, HAVENS, HOGUE, GRIFFITHS

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 3/9/2023 at 11:56:30

Elkader Register, Thur., 07 Mar. 1912.

On Saturday afternoon, March 02nd, at the home of Mrs. Isaac Havens in this city, occurred the death of Thomas Williams, aged seventy-four years, nine months and twenty-one days. On Thanksgiving Day of 1907 he suffered a stroke of apoplexy from which he never fully recovered. He was again stricken November 01st, 1911, while at McGregor, and on Saturday at four o'clock the third stroke came without warning, resulting fatally in about five minutes. Ever since the first stroke Mr. Williams has been constantly under the care of a physician, although most of the time he has been able to be about and enjoy visiting with his many friends.

Thomas Williams was born at Greenfield, Denbighshire, North Wales, May 11th, 1837, the son of David and Jane Williams. His early education was received in a private school at St. Asaph near his birthplace. When twelve years of age in 1849, he came to America with his father, the voyage lasting twelve weeks. They landed in Boston and remained there three years.

Owing to the refusal of the wife and mother to leave her Welsh home and settle in America the father and son returned to Wales in 1852, and the subject of this sketch traveled in various parts of the British Isles for about five years, representing a tea house.

In 1857 he came again to America, locating in Utica, New York, until 1861, when he came to McGregor and engaged in the meat packing business with his brother John, under the firm name of Williams Bros. After the death of his brother in December 1872 he continued the business alone until about 1888, when he retired from active business although he was engaged as a solicitor for the Equitable Life Insurance Co., of New York, for a time.

October 14th, 1868, he was united in wedlock with Miss Jennie Havens, daughter of Isaac and Sarah Havens, of this place, and since the death of Mr. Havens about five years ago they have made their home in Elkader the most of the time, in constant attendance on Mrs. Williams' aged mother.

Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Williams, a son, Isaac D., and a daughter, Amy Esther, now Mrs. Fred Hogue. Both are now residents of Los Angeles, Cal.

Mr. Williams is survived by his devoted wife and two children; four brothers, David, of London, England; William, of Bangor, North Wales; Henry, of Chicago; James of Jennings, Louisana, and one sister, Mrs. Sarah Griffiths, of Savanna, Ill. His brother James arrived Tuesday; a nephew, William Griffiths, of Savanna, came Monday and his daughter, Mrs. Hogue, reached here Thursday noon.

Mr. Williams was a man of social disposition and high character and has hosts of fiends, who will mourn his death and miss his friendly face. He was a firm Christian and has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at McGregor for the past forty years, enjoying the firm belief in a personal Saviour to whom he has gone with the full confidence of the promise "Whomsoever cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out."

The funeral will take place Friday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock from the Congregational church of this city, Rev. R. G. Heddon officiating. By request the services will be in charge of the Elkader Lodge No. 72, A,F. & A.M. assisted by Masons from McGregor and other neighboring lodges. Mr. Williams had been a faithful member of Bezer Lodge No. 135 at McGregor for upwards of fifty years.

May he receive the reward of the good and faithful servant.