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J. D. WILLIAMS who is a leading citizen of Mt. Vernon and a representative of one of the honored families of this locality, claims Illinois as the state of his nativity, for be was born in Pike County, September 24, 1841. He is now engaged in the real-estate business as a member of the firm of Williams Brothers, and is the eldest in a family of three children who grew to mature years. His grandfather, John Williams, was a native of Virginia and a lineal descendant of Roger Williams. At one time he was an extensive slave-holder and became very wealthy. His last days were spent in Adams County, ILL. Rev. W. T. Williams, father of our subject, was born in Mt. Sterling, Montgomery County, Ky., May 29, 1810. He was a fine classical scholar, who mastered Greek and other languages, and was for sixty years a minister, preaching for thirty years in the Methodist Church, and for the same length of time in the Christian Church. In 1838 he came to Illinois, and after filling pastorates at various places located on a farm north of Mt. Vernon, where he died November 19, 1891, in his eightyfirst year. No one in southern Illinois ever did more to elevate his fellow men than Mr. Williams, whose whole life was devoted to doing good. He had seven brothers and four sisters, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood. Archibald, a lawyer of ability, served in the State Legislature and State Senate of Illinois, was a Member of Congress, and was appointed United States District Judge at Topeka, Kan., where he died in 1863. Wesley was the first Justice of the Peace and first County Clerk of Hancock County, ILL.; Robert was a lawyer and served in the Legislature and State Senate; Washington was a Congregational minister and died in Adams County, ILL., in 1893, at the age of eighty-two years, and Joseph was a prominent physician of Kentucky. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Mary A. Westcott, and was born within thirteen miles of Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1833. Her father, John D. Westcott, was a leading merchant; he was noted for his piety, and for many years was Class-leader in the Methodist Church. His son, John W., was a prominent minister of the Methodist Church South, was a member of the Illinois Legislature, and is now living in Xenia, ILL. James Westcott has served as Sheriff of Jefferson County, and W. B. is a commission merchant of St. Louis. When six years of age J. D. Williams came to Jefferson County, and was reared upon his father's farm near Mt. Vernon. His education was acquired in the public schools, and at the age of eighteen he began teaching, which profession he followed until 1865. In the fall of that year he was elected Surveyor of Jefferson County and served three terms. In 1873 he was elected County Superintendent of Schools and filled the office thirteen years, since which time he has been engaged in the real-estate business. No higher testimonial of his faithfulness to public duty could be given than his long continuance in ottice. He discharged his duties with a promptness and fidelity which not only secured his re-election, but won the high commendation of all concerned. November 1, 1888, Mr. Williams married Mrs. Nancy W. Hensley, a widow, who was born in Hardinsburg, Ky., and is a daughter of William Clark, who graduated from Georgetown College and became a Christian minister of some note. Our subject is a Prohibitionist in politics, and is an Elder in the Christian Church. The only daughter of the Williams family, Mary, was born in 1854, and is now the wife of R. A. Morrison, who served as a soldier of the late war and now carries on farming two miles north of Mt. Vernon. W. T. Williams, the junior member of the firm of Williams Brothers, was born in Greene County, ILL., February 6, 1846, and was only a year old when the family came to Jefferson County. In the usual manner of farmer lads he was reared. His early education was supplemented by study in an academy of Mt. Vernon, which was then taught by Col. Robert Ingersoll, who was then living in that city. At the age of seventeen Mr. Williams began teaching, and followed that pursuit until twentyfour years of age, when, in 1872, he was elected County Surveyor. This position he has continuously (Hied, covering a period of five terms. He has never been defeated for office and is one of the most popular officials of the county. In 1870 W. T. Williams wedded Miss Irena B. Jarell, a native of Mt. Vernon, and to them have been born seven children: Fannie, wife of Prof. J. D. McMeen, Principal of the Waltonville schools; Willie R., who is a deputy in his father's office; George, Maud, Mary, Albert and Gertrude. W. T. Williams is a Democrat in his political affiliations, and in his social relations is a Mason. The firm of Williams Brothers is conducting a most extensive real-estate business at Mt. Vernon. They are men of excellent business and executive ability and their foresight and sagacity, combined with industry and enterprise, have made them leaders in their line.
Source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, IL |
For corrections or additions, please contact me: Sandy Bauer