WILLIAM J. WILLIAMS.

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         William J. Williams, whose efforts along agricultural and stock-raising lines are meeting with substantial success, is one of Iowa’s foreign born citizens, his birth occurring in Wales in 1849. His parents, William and Jane (Jones) Williams, were also born in that country and there spent their entire lives. William J. Williams, their only child, spent his early life in the land of his nativity, where he was reared to farm work and also received his education, and when twenty years of age came alone to America, determining to seek his fortune in the new country where opportunities for advancement along business lines were greater than could be had in the older country. Upon landing in the United States he made his way to Louisa county, and for a period of ten years was engaged as a farm hand, the first six years being spent in this county and last two in California. Upon returning to Iowa he invested the money, which he had been able to accumulate by unfailing industry and strict economy in eighty acres of land in Montgomery county, upon which he made his home for eight years. At the end of that time he sold that property and purchased one hundred and sixty acres, which he operated seven years, when he disposed of that farm and removed to Oklahoma and invested in farm land. Seven years he made his home in that state, then returned to Louisa county and has since resided upon a farm on one hundred and forty acres on section 33, Columbus . . .

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. . . City township. He carries on general farming and makes a specialty of raising hogs, his success in both branches being most substantial and gratifying. He has greatly improved his land, bringing the fields under a high state of cultivation through the use of modern machinery and the employment of progressive methods in tilling and caring for the crops. His stock is of a good grade, insuring ready sale and good prices on the market. He is recognized as one of the progressive and prosperous farmers and stock-raisers of the township.

         In December, 1877, Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Miss Ann Williams, a daughter of Richard and Jane Williams, who were also natives of Wales and came to America at an early day. They were the parents of eleven children and both have now passed away. Unto Mr. and Mrs. William J. Williams have been born six children, namely: John R., of Columbus City township; Roland, Elmira J., Mary E. and Hattie E., all at home; and David, now deceased. On the 9th of November, 1908, the wife and mother passed away, her remains being laid to rest in the Cammery cemetery. She was a lady of many excellent traits of heart and mind and with her husband held membership in the Congregational church.

         Mr. Williams gives his political support to the republican party but has never sought nor desired public office for himself. He prefers rather to concentrate his attention upon the conduct of his private business interests and in this has been successful. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek his fortune in the new world, for here he found the opportunities for advancement and in their utilization has become an independent business man.