McWILLIAMS, John F.

MCWILLIAMS, THURMAN, BARBEO, BARTLETT

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/11/2014 at 23:21:05

History of Decatur County Iowa and Its People
Illustrated, Volumne II.

Prof. J. M. Howell and Heman C. Smith
Supervising Editors

The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company. Pp. 309-10. Chicago. 1915.

JOHN F. McWILLIAMS

John F. McWilliams is living retired in Pleasanton in the enjoyment of a period of rest and leisure made possible by former well directed work as a farmer. He was born in Knox county, Illinois, on the 19th of April, 1843 (sic), and is a son of Robert and Margaret (Thurman) McWilliams, natives of Ohio. The father removed to Knox county, Illinois, when that region was still a pioneer section and there engaged in farming during the remainder of his life, passing away in 1890. His widow
survived him for seventeen years, her demise occurring in 1907.

John F. McWilliams passed his boyhood and youth under the parental roof and attended the public schools of his native county in the acquirement of an education. When he attained his majority he began farming for himself and continued to reside in the Prairie state until 1880. In that year he came to Decatur county, Iowa, purchasing land in Decatur township, which he cultivated and developed until 1900. He was at once practical and progressive and as he managed his financial affairs well he gained a competence which enabled him to retire from active work in that year. About 1912 his health became greatly impaired and he removed to Pleasanton, where he has since resided.

On the 19th of April, 186.5, occurred the marriage of Mr. McWilliams and Harriet Barbero, a daughter of Frederick and Malinda (Bartlett) Barbero, natives of Oswego county. New York. The father was a farmer and in an early day he moved to Knox county, Illinois, where he followed agricultural pursuits for many years. He passed away in 1900, when ninety-two years of age, but was survived by his widow until 1904, her demise occurring when she was eightyfour years old. Mr. and Mrs. McWilliams have had three children: Andrew Adelbert, who is farming in Hamilton township; Mabel, who died in 1900; and Jennie P., who passed away in 1893.

Mr. McWilliams is a democrat and is stanch in his support of the candidates and principles of that party. He belongs to the Christian Union church and in his daily life exemplifies the teachings of that organization. He has resided in this county for thirty-five years and for a great part of that time was a factor in its agricultural development. He values highly the financial independence which he has won but esteems yet more the respect and confidence which his fellow citizens accord him.

NOTE: According to his gravestone, John F. McWilliams was born April 30, 1844, and died November 9, 1918. Harriet A. (Barbero) McWilliams was born July, 12, 1845. Her death date was not engraved in their gravestone located at Hamilton Cemetery, Pleasanton IA. Also interred at Hamilton Cemetery, Jennie P. McWilliams, daughter of John F. and Harriet A., born March, 1881, and died November 27, 1886 aged 5 years and 8 months.

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2014