My Genealogy Hound

William R. Williams is the second of seven children born to Larkin and Catherine (Koontz) Williams, and is a grandson of Samuel and Nancy Williams, who died in Illinois. Larkin Williams came from Tennessee to Polk County, Mo., in 1836, of which he was one of the early settlers, and owing to the newness of the country, suffered many privations and hardships while endeavoring to make a home for his family. He was a prominent citizen of the county, and died in 1882, at the age of seventy-five years. His wife was of Dutch descent, born in 1806, and died on the 17th of January, 1889. William R. Williams was born in Knox County, Tenn., December 2, 1832, and until twenty-one years of age remained with his parents, receiving his education in the public schools of Polk County. In 1854 he married Miss Elizabeth Boswell, who was born in Henderson County, Tenn., in January, 1836, her parents being Matthew and Edith Boswell, who came to St. Clair County, Mo., from North Carolina, in 1837, and died in 1852 and 1854, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have twelve children: Larkin M., Minerva C., Susan A., L. G. W. and T. W. C. (twins), Elijah B., Leander Y., Samuel S., Charlotte E., Lorinda A., James C. and Lillie D. Since 1854 Mr. Williams has been a resident of Cedar County, Mo., where he owns 312 acres of valuable land, with about 180 acres under cultivation. In February, 1863, he enlisted in Capt. Simmons’ company of Missouri State Militia, and was in the United States service twenty months, besides being in the State Militia. He is a Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for James Buchanan. He has served as justice of his township, and he and wife are members of the Predestinarian Baptist Church. Mr. Williams’ paternal great-grandfather lived to be 106 years old and had a good set of teeth (his third) when he died. The maternal-grandparent came across the ocean, the grandmother being a Rhymer before she was married.