My Genealogy Hound

Richard S. Williams is one of the active and prosperous farmers and stockbreeders of Douglas township. He lives on section 28 and makes a specialty of the breeding and sale of pure blooded Poland China hogs and Cotswold sheep. His farm is pleasantly and conveniently located within a mile and a half of Creston so that the advantages of city life are easily obtained while those of the rural existence are also to be enjoyed.

Mr. Williams was a young man of thirty years when in October, 1874, he arrived in Union county. He is, however, one of Iowa’s native sons, his birth having occurred in Des Moines county, May 4, 1844. His father, James Williams, was born in the county of Tyrone, Ireland, and was there reared, coming to America as a young man. He first located in Philadelphia, where he followed the cooper’s trade, which he had learned in early life. About 1838 or 1839 he arrived in Iowa, when it was still under territorial rule, and, settling near Burlington, he took up his abode upon a farm, where he reared his family, experiencing many hardships and privations of pioneer life in an early day but enjoying more of the comforts of an older civilization as the country became more thickly settled. His last years were spent in that locality.

Richard S. Williams, who was reared to manhood in Des Moines county, acquired a common-school education, pursuing his studies when not busy with the work of the fields. He is largely a self-made man, having received no financial assistance from his father when he started out in business life. Having arrived at years of maturity he sought a companion and helpmate for life’s journey, being married in Louisa county, Iowa, September 5, 1866, to Miss Loretta See, a native of Des Moines county and a daughter of Rev. Michael See, one of the pioneer Methodist ministers of Iowa, who was born in Indiana and came to this state in 1836. He spent his life in the ministry and was well known as an earnest and able preacher of the gospel.

Following his marriage, Mr. Williams located on a farm in Henry county, renting land for a year, after which he bought a tract of raw prairie and improved and cultivated the place for five years. On the expiration of that period he came to Spaulding township, Union county, and invested in one hundred and twenty acres, giving his time and energies to its further development and improvement for twenty years. There he opened up a good farm, which he sold in 1899, after which he bought his present home, building upon the farm a good two-story residence, also substantial barns and out buildings and well kept fences. He has put out a good orchard and much small fruit, together with shade and ornamental trees, including some fine evergreens. He has one of the neatest and best kept places in the township, the farm being one of the attractive features of the landscape. He has made a business of raising and feeding stock and for eight years has been quite extensively engaged in raising, breeding and dealing in pure blooded Cotswold sheep, having now a flock of about one hundred and fifty head. He also raises pure blooded Poland China hogs and his stock-raising constitutes an important and profitable department of his business. He was also at one time connected with merchandising for after selling his farm in Spaulding township he engaged in the furniture business in Creston for two years, after which he purchased his present farm on section 24, Douglas township.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Williams have been born five children. The eldest one, Rev. J. M. Williams, is now pastor of the Broadway Methodist Episcopal church at Council Bluffs, Iowa. Katie E. is the wife of C. E. Newell, now of McHenry, Illinois. Hattie L. is the wife of Elmer Myers, living near Sharpsburg, Taylor county, Iowa. Dr. Benjamin Williams now engaged in the practice of medicine at Lincoln, Nebraska. Richard W. is an electrician of Lincoln, Nebraska.

Politically Mr. Williams was a republican but is now independent in politics, supporting men and measures rather than party and seeking at all times the best interests of the community and the country at large. He served as justice of the peace, has been township trustee and township clerk, was also president of the school board and is deeply interested in the cause of education. He is a public-spirited citizen, doing everything in his power to promote general progress and improvement. He and his wife are faithful and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Creston and Mr. Williams belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which he joined in 1865. His membership is now with Creston Lodge and he has served through the chairs of Winfield Lodge and as captain of the patriarchs militant in Creston. In all the relations of life he has been found true to the trust reposed in him, actuated by high ideals and manly principles, while his conduct has at all times been fair and just to his fellowmen.