John E. Williams

WILLIAMS, STRUBLE, BRATT, GOVE, THOMPSON

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 11/12/2011 at 21:51:34

JOHN E. WILLIAMS, of Reinbeck, is one of the most successful lawyers in Grundy County, and conducts a large practice. He is considered one of the most eminent of his profession in this section, and has been a resident of this city since December, 1890. He was born in Dane County, Wis., in 1865, to Benjamin B. and Elizabeth (Struble) Williams. His paternal grandparents were Joseph and Mary (Bratt) Williams, the former of whom was a son of John Williams, a native of England, where he followed his calling of an iron moulder. He was married in his native country, and emigrated to the United States in 1829. The grandfather of our subject, after coming to America, made his way to Ohio, and in 1857 took charge of the Hanging Rock Rolling Mills, but failed during the panic which followed. He devoted the rest of his life to farming. He was born in March, 1797, and died February 23, 1887, in Wisconsin.

The father of our subject was a native of New Jersey, where his birth occurred in 1835. When quite young he accompanied his parents on their removal to Pittsburgh, Pa., where he grew to manhood. He completed his education at the Ironton Seminary, in Kentucky, whither he had removed, and when starting out in life for himself, like his father became an iron moulder. In 1857 he made his way into Illinois, and lived on a farm in Coles County until 1861, when he removed to Wisconsin and purchased a good farm in company with his brother. That place they operated until 1869, the year of his advent into Grundy County, this state.

John E. Williams is a man of fine education, and possesses a broad fund of information, not only in matters relative to his profession, but concerning historical events and affairs of current interest. Deciding to follow the profession of a lawyer, he entered the law department of the Iowa State University, from which he was graduated in 1889 with the title of LL. B. When locating for the practice of his profession, he went to Pierre, S. Dak., and was there successfully employed for fourteen months, when in December, 1890, he came to Reinbeck and has since been classed among the prominent lawyers of Grundy County.

In politics Mr. Williams is a decided Republican. In 1892 he was chosen by his party as County Attorney, and ran far ahead of his ticket. He is a man of deep culture and sound learning, and always manages to keep abreast of the times, notwithstanding the many demands made on him in his profession. Prior to beginning his law studies, he taught school for about six years, and during a portion of that time had charge of the schools at Holland, Iowa, where he was held in universal esteem.

December 16, 1891, Mr. Williams and Miss Maud, daughter of Prentiss M. and Harriett (Gove) Thompson, were united in marriage. The lady is a native of Black Hawk Township, Grundy County, while her parents were born respectively in Maine and Vermont. They came to Grundy County as early as 1868, when this country was very sparsely settled. They have been placed among the foremost residents and have sought to promote the growth and enhance the general welfare of the county. In social affairs our subject is a member of Coin Lodge No. 394, A. F. & A. M., at Reinbeck, and is also a prominent Odd Fellow.

Source:
Portrait and Biographical Record
of Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, Iowa
1894