Rosamond Township (part 2 of 2)

George W. Williams

Was born in Columbus, ( )hin, Oct. 27tli, 1824 ; he is the son of Robert and Mary Williams. Robert Wdliams was a native of Providence, Rhode Island, and JMary Smith, his wife, was a native of the same place. They raised a famil}' of seven children, (five boys and two girls) of which the subject of our sketch was the fifth. His ancestors were of Welsh descent, and Mr. Williams is a lineal descendant of the Puritan Minister, Roger Williams. Robert Williams was an undertaker and builder, and brought up his son George to the same business. He emigrated fnmi Rhode Island to Ohio in about 1812, and settled in Franklin county near Columbus, wdiere he followed his trade and carried on a farm. The subject of our sketch at an early age entered his apprenticeship under a man by the name of Boswell ; he remained with liim three years, then emigrateil to Iowa, antl began working at his trade in Jluscatine county, which he continued for four years, then took a steamboat for St. Ljuis in the spring of 1844. Hf- remained two years in that citv.

building and contriulin;;, where he lost his entire accumulations that lie had gathered together in Iinva, by placing too much confidence ill a supposed friend, who formerly was foreman in the shop where ho first learned his trade, in Ohio, whom lie met upou the levee when landing from the steamboat, at >St. Louis. He was, of course, much elated at seeing an old acquaintance, and they -immediately formed a partnershij), which continued as long as Jlr. Williams' money lasted. At the exiiiratiou of two years he found himself without a cent, and consequently compelled to start life anew. Under these adverse circumstances he then engaged with the American Hemp Cunipaiiy, doing business in Sangamon county, Illinois ; lie went to that county in the fall of 1846, and was occupied in putting up the building necessary fur the business, and subsequently ran one of the mills. He was employed by this firm about two years. It was here he first met jMaiy Hum- ])hreys, who afterward became his wife. They were married JMarch IStli, 1847. She was a native of Fleming county, Ky., born June Gth, 1824, and was the daughter of Thomas L. and Sally Humpliieys. The Humi)hreys are of "Welsh descent. Mrs. Williams' grandfather, Owen Humphreys, was a native of Wales. His father emigrated to Peiina. when he, Owen Humphreys, was a child. He subsequently moved to Kentucky, where Oweu Humphreys married a willow, Isabel Keith, whose maiden name was Lee. They were married in Fleming county, Ky. They had seven children born to them. ]Mrs. Isabel Ilumiihreys died April 12th, 1S2.S, in Bath county, Ky. Owen Humjihreys, with some of his children, came to Sangamon count}', Illinois, arriving in the fall of 1828 or 1829, and settled three aiid-a-lialf miles southeast of Springfield. Thomas L., the father of Mrs. Williams, followed iu 1830, and settled on the homestead, entered by Owen Humphreys. Her father's liealth was not good in this their new country, and he returned to his old place, where he remained until 1851, in which year, upon the eighteenth of March, his wife Sally died ; he then moved into South Fork town.ship. Christian county, where he died Aug. 14th, 1864. Mr. W^illiams came to Christian county in 1851, and continuing bridge building with his other mechanical operations, worked successfully in this line of business until 1860, finally settling down to farming life upon the land which he now occupies, to which he devoted his whole attention. He has an excellent farm of 240 acres, with substantial house and good outbuildings, a view of which is shown in this work. Mr. Williams has one daughter living, Mary T., the wife of Charles Payne, who resides within a short distance of the paternal roof The declining years of Mr. and Mrs.

Williams are brightened with the companionship of their two grandchildren, Nellie and George, who pass most of their time at the home of their grandparents, between whom a strong mutual attachment exists.

In politics Mr. Williams is a rejniblican, casting his first vote for President Lincoln. In social life he is a pleasant, hospitable gentleman, and, together with his wife, enjoy the respect and good wishes of all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance.

William G. George

WILLIAM G. GEORGE Was b(jni in Sangamon county, July 29th, 1839. His fiither, Edward George, was a native of Virginia. At the age of six years he was taken to Kentucky by his father. In 1831 he came to Illinois, aud settled iu Sangamon county, where he remained until his deaih in June, 1875. He married Catherine Whaley, who was of English descent, and a native of Bath county, Ky. She died in Sept., 1855. William G. is the eldest of the boys and the third in the family. He remained at home until his twenty-second year, wlieu he enlisted in Company ''D," 33d Reg't. Illinois Infantry. He entered as a private for three years service, and passed successively through all the grades and was mustered out as Second Lieutenant of his company. He entered the service in Aug., 1861, and in Jan., 1863, he and the greater part of the regiment veteranized. He was mustered out and honorably discharged iu December, 1805. He remained, and participated iu every battle that his regiment was in. The principal engagements in which he took part were Fredericktown, Mo., Vicksburg campaign under Grant, capture of Jackson, Miss., and the campaign against Slobile, and its defences under Gen. Canby, and assisted in the capture of Forts Spanish and Blakeley. The regiment, after the war closed, did garrisou duty at Vicksburg, Yazoo, and Meridian, Miss. On the 21st of February, 1866, he iiuirriod Miss Anna E. Phillips, a native of Sangamon county. Ills. They have had six children, five of whom are living. Their names are Charles C. Owen C. Carrie L. William E. aud Harry M. He is a member of the Christian Church. In politics lie is a republican. He is a strong advocate of temperance. He came to Christian county in the spring of 1866, and rented land for nine years of Jlr. Humphreys, after which he purchased 333 acres of the east half of Sec. 2, T. 13, R. 4 W., where he at present resides. He is among the prominent farmers and stock raisers of his town.ship. He has bjen collector of his township, and is universally regarded as a good man and citizen.