My Genealogy Hound

ZEBINA WILLIAMS (deceased) was born in the State of New York, March 25, 1815. He was raised on a farm, and received a collegiate education, and at the age of twenty-one years he emigrated to Iowa. In the spring of 1836, he and his brother took claims in Louisa County, and proceeded to improve them. Iowa was very new at this time. The Indians, who were of the Misquakee, Fox and Sac tribes, were very numerous. Zebina and his brother built log cabins on their claims, and bached together. At three different times, while they were out making rails, the Indians entered their cabin, taking all their provisions and most of their clothing, at one time leaving them coatless in the dead of winter. More than a month elapsed at a time, that they never saw a white man, their only companions being wild beasts and the still wilder Indians. Such hardships as these laid the foundation of wealth and affluence. In the year 1850, he went overland to California, and mined for gold eighteen months, then returned to Iowa, on his farm, remaining until 1866, when he came to Kansas and settled on the present homestead of his widow and family. His farm in Kansas consisted of 160 acres, which he brought to a high state of cultivation, having a fine nursery and choice fruits of all kinds. And he also still owned, in Iowa, a section of land, and 600 acres in Missouri up to the time of his death. Mr. Williams died April 14, 1871. He was a member of the Christian Church, a useful and respected member of the community, and an earnest worker in the church and Sunday school. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Hall, May 2, 1844. They have had eight children— Oscar N., Olive J., Zebina S., Mercy A., Edward C, Mary E., Ida F. (deceased), and Robert A. Williams.