WILLIAMS, George M. (1829-1896)

WILLIAMS, BELL, GAULT, PETTIT, KUHN, WOLFENBARGER

Posted By: Sheryl McClure (email)
Date: 1/16/2024 at 23:56:38

George M. Williams died at his home, four miles southeast of Portsmouth, at 1:48 a. m., Thursday, January 2, 1896, aged 66 years, 11 months, 25 days. His sickness began a day or two preceding Christmas, with an attack of la grippe, developing finally into acute articular rheumatism and Bright's disease. His sickness and death were comparatively free from conscious pain.

Short services were held at the home Saturday morning, the funeral sermon being preached by Rev. Stevenson in the afternoon, in the M. E church at Shelby The interment was in the Shelby cemetery, and Dick Yates post, G. A. R., had charge of the ceremony at the grave.

Mr. Williams leaves surviving him his widow, Mary A. Williams, and six children: Emeline V. Kuhn, Emerson, Neb.; Flora J. Pettit, Shelby; Capitola Wolfenbarger, Lincoln, Neb.; J. C. and E. F. Williams, Portsmouth; and T. F. A. Williams of Lincoln, Neb. One child, Marquis L., died in infancy. All the surviving members were at the bedside, as well as the three remaining sisters of the deceased, and other relatives and friends.

George Miles Williams was born Jan. 8, 1829, in Huntingdon county, Pa., on the farm where his father and grandfather respectively had lived for fifty years previous. He was the son of Thomas and Jane (Bell) Williams, and was of Welsh, Scotch and Irish descent. The first twelve years of his life were spent in Pennsylvania, and the family then removed to Knox county, Ohio. He was married October 21, 1850, to Miss Mary A. Gault, now his widow. Mr. Willams followed carpentering and farming in Knox county till 1858, in which year he came with his family in a covered wagon to Johnson county, Iowa. That was a season of tremendous rains, and the journey across Indiana and Illinois was one of great hardships. Johnson county remained his home until 1876. In March of that year he came to Shelby county and settled on the farm where he lived continuously to the time of his death. In August, 1862, Mr. Williams enlisted at Camp Pope, Iowa City, as a private in Co. E of the 28th Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He was later promoted to sergeant and finally second lieutenant of his company. His regiment campaigned down the Mississippi, and he took part in the expedition up White River, Siege of Vicksburg, Port Gibson, Champion Hills, and minor engagements, and was honorably discharged in 1864. He has for many years been a member of Dick Yates Post, G.A.R.

Shelby County Republican
Jan. 9, 1896