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Below is a family biography included in The History of Posey County, Indiana by John C. Leffel and published by Standard Publishing Company in 1913.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Dan Williams, banker and farmer of Wadesville, Ind., is a native of Posey county, a member of one of its oldest pioneer families and was born on his father’s farm in Harmony township on September 3, 1868, the son of Jonathan and Mary Ellen (Cox) Williams. The family was founded in Indiana in March, 1828, when Urbane Williams, a native of Virginia, came from Nelson county, Kentucky, and located on land near Stewartsville, Posey county. About two years later he bought a tract of land in Harmony township, which he cleared and improved, and on which he resided until his death, June 25, 1848. He had married, while a resident of Kentucky, Nancy Johnson, a native of that State, who died in February, 1845. Their son, Asa C. Williams, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Nelson county, Kentucky, October 20, 1818. He was reared on his father’s farm in Harmony township and was educated in the schools of that early day. On reaching his majority he engaged in farming, purchasing a tract of forty acres in what is now Center township. He was not only a successful farmer, but a man of exceptional financial ability, and accumulated a large fortune for his time. In 1867 he removed to Mt. Vernon and was elected vice-president of the First National Bank, an institution which he had helped to organize. He was elected president of the bank in 1873 and remained at its head until his death, which occurred in 1896. As a banker he was known as a discriminating financier, one who brought the administrative policy of his bank up to the point of highest efficiency, and whose efforts in fostering the development of the manufacturing and commercial interests of Mt. Vernon were second to none. He was a generous supporter of the Baptist church and his charities were many and varied. As a citizen he was greatly esteemed and he exerted a potent influence for good throughout the county. He was married twice—first on January 28, 1840, to Dicy Cox, a native of Posey county, who died on August 29, 1844. Three children were born of this union: Jonathan, the father of our subject; Martha, who married Charles Hays; and Asa, all of whom are deceased. On July 17, 1845, he married Anna Gwaltney, a daughter of Benjamin Gwalfney, a pioneer citizen of the county. Through his second marriage three children were born: John T., a farmer of Harmony township; Stephen Jett, personal mention of whom appears elsewhere in this work; and Dicy, deceased. Jonathan Williams became a successful farmer in Harmony township. He took an active part in the political life of his section and wielded an influence for good. He did not possess the commercial genius of his father, preferring to remain on the home farm, where he was at home in the fields, in the woods and with his stock. He married in 1861, Mary Ellen Cox, a daughter of John Cox, a native of South Carolina, who came to Posey county with his parents in the early days of its settlement. The death of Mr. Williams occurred in January, 1873, and that of his wife in April, 1887. They were the parents of seven children, who are as follows: John C., born September 4, 1862, died February 28, 1869; Laura Isabel, born August 12, 1865, who became the wife of David Hutchinson, who resides near Carmi, Ill. She died January 31, 1885; William Henry, born November 22, 1863, died October 15, 1883; Dan, our subject; Leona, born November 26, 1870, the wife of Stephen Hancock, a farmer of Robb township; Alden L., born June 29, 1879, died April, 1900; and Mary Ellen, born April 22, 1867, died August 21, 1870. Dan Williams was reared on the old home farm in Harmony township and received his education in the public schools of Posey county. On reaching his majority he bought a farm in Lynn township and operated it with such success that his profits equaled the purchase price during the seven years he farmed there. His next venture was in Center township, where he bought 145 acres where he duplicated his former success. He now owns one of the large farms of the county, 320 acres, situated about three miles from Wadesville. The land is exceptionally good, is in a high state of cultivation, and in the matter of improvements is not excelled in southwestern Indiana. He became a resident of Wadesville in 1905 and in 1907 he promoted the organization of the Farmers National Bank. He was elected cashier of the institution upon incorporation and has since served in that capacity. As a banker he is demonstrating; the possession of the sound financial judgment, executive and initiative ability, and progressiveness which made Asa C. Williams a power in the financial circles of his section of the State. In the administration of the business of the institution he has been the controlling executive and to him is due the highly favorable showing made during its six years of business life. The bank has an earned surplus of $4,750, undivided profits of $750, and its deposits average about $120,000, a very creditable showing, considering the population of Wadesville and the strong competition of nearby towns which have long established institutions. His political affiliations have been with the Democratic party. He was elected trustee of Center township in 1904 and served during a term of four years. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Williams married on January 1, 1891, Miss Eurie M. Willis, a daughter of Robert M. and Jane (Downen) Willis, the father a farmer of Center township, where she was born on December 31, 1869. Mrs. Williams died on December 7, 1903. They were the parents of five children: Mildred, born October 15, 1891, died October 6, 1898; Harold, born November 8, 1893; and Asa Dan, born January 31, 1896, died September 2, 1896; Anna Jane, born August 10, 1897; and Eurie May, born May 15, 1900. On December 6, 1904, Mr. Williams married Miss Amy Anna Stallings, the daughter of John W. and Martha Stallings, both of whom were born in Posey county, but now reside in Omaha, Gallatin county, Illinois. Mrs. Williams is also a native of Posey county and was born on November 6, 1881. Three children have been born of this union, viz.: Amy Marie, born December 12, 1905; Mary Corine, born June 18, 1908; and Fannie Jauna, born December 5, 1910.

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This family biography is one of 232 biographies included in The History of Posey County, Indiana by John C. Leffel and published in 1913 by Standard Publishing Company.  For the complete description, click here: Posey County, Indiana History and Genealogy

View additional Posey County, Indiana family biographies here: Posey County, Indiana Biographies

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