J. C. WILLIAMS
The pioneer blacksmith shop was opened by H. C. Saunders, a native of Pennsylvania, who is still a resident of this burg, although engaged in other business. This shop was the second building erected in the town, and the forge was lighted in 1869. This business is now represented by J. C. Williams.
Mr. Williams is a native of Erie county, New York, born in 1840. He followed farming in his native county until twenty-three years old. In 1854 he came to Iowa, and located in Jones county, where he became acquainted with Margaret Cartright, to whom he was married, January 23, 1861. By this union there were six children---Mary, Jennie and Lena, who died young; Warner, who was known as the "Iowa Giant baby," weighing at birth, seven pounds, and who died at the age of six years, seven months and three days, weighing two hundred pounds, and was four feet, ten inches in height, and forty-eight inches around his breast. He was an active boy and always healthy. His death was caused by a bad cold settling on his lungs. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have but two children living---Harry and Howard. In 1878 Mr. Williams settled in Atlantic, Cass county, and engaged in blacksmithing. He came to Anita in 1881, and has since been a resident of that city. Mr. Williams is one of the pioneers of the State, and a man of perseverance as well as genius and ability. He patented the diamond harrow in 1875, also the Eureka reversible harrow, both of which have come into general use.
Contributed by Lisa Varnes-Rex from "History of Cass County, Iowa. Together With Sketches of its Towns, Villages and Townships, Educational, Civil, Military and Political History: Portraits of Prominent Persons, and Biographies of Old Settlers and Representative Citizens." Springfield, Ill.: Continental Historical Company, 1884, pp. 701.
