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         G. BARSTOW WILLIAMS, a prominent farmer residing on section 11, Columbus City Township, is an honored pioneer of Louisa County. He is a native of Fayette County, Ind., and a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Wright) Williams, who were born in the State of New York. The father was a farmer by occupation, and migrated to Indiana about 1815, settling in Fayette County, where he entered 160 acres of land, and improving it made it his home until 1828, when he sold out and bought another farm, upon which he . . .

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. . . resided until 1836. Emigrating to Iowa at that time he became one of the early settlers of Louisa County, where he bought 160 acres of land in Wapello Township, where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1855, at the age of seventy-three years. The mother having died in 1824, when our subject was seven years old, Robert Williams was again married, becoming the husband of Elizabeth Hart, who was also born in the Empire State. Mr. Williams reared a family of twenty children, ten of whom were born of his first union, namely: Mary, who became the wife of Aaron McCrae, and after his death married Nathaniel Dunham, is now deceased; Sarah married George Jones, of Connersville, Ind., and both have passed away; Wright, who died in Louisa County, was Judge of the County Court, served as a member of the Legislature, aided in framing the Constitution of the State of Iowa in 1846, and his death occurred in 1857, Dennis, who had served as Recorder of Louisa County, died in Missouri in 1873; Electa became the wife of Leonard Robinson, and both are now dead; Amelia married Thomas Stoddard, and both are deceased; Mercy became the wife of William Nicholson, and both are also deceased; Zebina, who died in Kansas in 1871, was formerly a prominent citizen of Louisa County. The above-mentioned children were born in New York, and after Mr. Williams removed to Indiana the following children were born: G. Barstow, Charles, a resident farmer of Putnam County, Mo. By the second union there were: Robert, who died in childhood; Cynthia became the wife of Robert Gregory, and is a resident of Colorado; Sarah is the wife of James Hickler, of this county; Louie Ann is the widow of a Mr. Alexander, and lives in Wapello; Louisa, deceased wife of Mr. Jillett; Emeline, wife of Mr. Weston, of Wapello; Oliver, deceased; Marietta died in childhood, and two other children died in infancy. The father was a member of the Christian Church, and a Whig in politics. Conservative, yet just to all, he was not only honored as a pioneer, but was highly esteemed as a citizen.

G. Barstow Williams, our subject, was born on the 12th of September, 1817, and was reared upon a farm, receiving his education in the common schools of a new country. With his parents he migrated to Louisa County, Iowa, in 1836, and entered a claim on section 33, Columbus City Township, of 200 acres, which he partly improved. At that time the nearest settlement was the Swank settlement in the Mississippi bottom, from which he was twenty-five miles distant. Several times he had great trouble with the Indians, who were very numerous in those pioneer days. During the first winter’s residence in Louisa County they stole all his provisions and his only coat, and he was forced to walk twenty-five miles in his shirt sleeves through the biting cold. At another time an Indian stole his mittens, but Mr. Williams gave pursuit, chased him to his home, and took the mittens by force. In order to make a livelihood he was forced to cut rails at fifty cents per hundred, but the hardships and trials which come to those who make homes in a new county were endured with patience, and his hard labors were at length rewarded. He lived upon his first claim for about three years, and afterward purchased of his brother Zebina 191 acres on section 11, Columbus City Township, which still continues to be his home.

On the 14th of November, 1837, Mr. Williams was united in marriage with Miss Ann Hall, a native of Pennsylvania, and established his bride as the mistress of the pioneer cabin. By their union six children were born: Wright, a physician, now residing in Putnam County, Lucy, wife of Elijah M. Strauser, of Newtown, Mo.; Warren, a stockman of the Indian Territory; Thomas, who is engaged in farming in Edwards County, Kan,.; Millie, wife of Joseph Caldwell, Jr., of Colorado, and Alice, wife of Jacob Getts, whose home is in Edwards County, Kan. In 1853 death visited the pioneer home, and took as its victim the wife and mother. Mr. Williams was again married in 1854, becoming the husband of Cordelia Spafford, a native of Potter County, Pa., and by their marriage four children were born: Augusta, who is now the wife of Ed Watts, a resident of Cairo, Louisa Co., Iowa; Elizabeth, now deceased; Frank, proprietor of the Parker Mineral Wells, of Potter County, Pa., and Lawrence, whose home is in Columbus City, Iowa. The mother of these children departed this life Sept. 23, 1866, and Mr. Williams was the third time married, May 27, 1869, the lady of his choice . . .

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. . . being Eliza Rhodes, who was born in Hanover, Ohio, and is a daughter of Jehu Rhodes. The lady had formerly been married, and was the widow of B. F. St. Clair. Two children had been born of her former marriage, only one now living, Harry, a telegraph operator, of Bloomer, Miss. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are the parents of two children, Nellie and Arthur, both at home.

For forty-seven years Mr. Williams has been a member of the Christian Church, in which he holds the office of Deacon, and is one of the earnest and untiring workers. His wife, who is a most estimable lady, also belongs to that denomination. In his political views he is a supporter of the Republican party. For fifty-two years he has been a resident of Louisa County, and is a pioneer in every sense of the word. He has aided in the development of the county, has transformed the wild and unbroken prairies into farms of the greatest fertility, has aided in every enterprise for the good of the community, and has always been ready to advance the educational, social and moral interests. As a citizen, he is reliable and trustworthy, as a neighbor and friend, is hospitable and kind, and as a father and husband, is loving and considerate. His life has been a blessing to the community, and we are pleased to record his sketch among the other pioneers who have placed Louisa County in the front rank in the great State of Iowa.

Mr. Williams is at this time (1888) the oldest living settler in the county. He still has in his possession the stump from which he cut the first tree with which he built his first camp fire after his arrival here, on the 4th of July, 1836.