WILLIAM WILLIAMS
William Williams,
retired farmer: P. O. Covington; a life resident of Miami Co.; is the son of
Michael Williams, and grandson of Michael Williams Sr.
Michael, Sr. was a native of South Carolina, and a soldier from that
colony in the Revolution. He
married Barbara Suma, afterward became
a resident of Virginia; removed to the Northwest Territory, and located on Mad
River, near what is now Dayton, which then consisted of a few huts, with a few
French fur-traders for its business men; the year following, he removed to
Honey Creek, in this county, and in 1800 removed to Newton Township, where he
located or “squatted” (as the lands were not yet surveyed) on Stillwater,
and entered the land as soon as practicable.
Michael, Jr., was born in South Carolina in 1780, and accompanied his
parents to Miami Co., where he married Elizabeth, daughter of William Long,
who was also a pioneer of Newton Township.
During
the war of 1812, Mr. Williams was a member of a Home Guard company, which was
stationed at a block-house built about three-fourths of a mile west of what is
now Pleasant Hill. About 1820, he
removed to Newberry Township, having purchased a farm in Sec 34, where he
resided until his death in 1850. After
having taken part in the labor and privations of pioneer life, he lived to see
something of its developments. He
was County Commissioner nineteen years. The
present court house was built during his term in office.
The subject of this sketch was born in Newton Township in 1810, and
grew to manhood here in the pioneer days of Miami Co.
All the schooling he got was a few months’ attendance at the
“subscription” schools which were then held in some unoccupied cabin.
But, as he was a bachelor and felt the need of education, he attended
the somewhat improved schools when as old as 30.
He was married in 1844 to Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Gilbert, who
was also a pioneer of this county. Mr.
Williams has been a farmer all his life, but is now retired from active labor,
and his farm is operated by a son and son-in-law.
Mr. Williams, it will be seen, is the descendant of a pioneer family
and has been identified with the interests of Miami Co. in general, and
Newberry Township in particular, for more than a half-century.
He has been Township Trustee and is still a useful and respected
citizen. Although a bachelor until
34 years of age, has been thrice married.
His second marriage was with Miss Nancy A. Vanorman, an Eastern lady.
His third wife was Mrs. Sarah (Waymire) Williams.
By his first wife he had six children, only two of whom are
living—Nancy A., now Mrs. S. B. Rilber, and William C.
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