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Below is a family biography included in The History of Jasper County, Missouri published by Mills & Company in 1883.  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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STURGES B. WILLIAMS, furniture, carpets, and undertaking goods, was born in Kendall county, Ill., Jan. 1, 1845. His father, H. H. Williams, was a native of Connecticut. His mother, Elizabeth (Swift) Williams, of the Empire State. During infancy his father died, and when nine years of age subject went to Cayuga county, N. Y., where he engaged in agricultural pursuits and attended the common schools for a half decade. He then went to Tompkins county, same state, and engaged similarly. In July, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Ninth New York Infantry Volunteers, Col. B. T. Tracy commanding, and served until the close of the war. Participated in battles of Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Petersburgh, Richmond, Cold Harbor, and numerous others. He was wounded at Spottsylvania. While before Petersburg the One Hundred and Ninth New York had 400 men. After the engagement scarcely forty remained. Just after the battle subject was sitting on his overcoat, when his hat blew off. Arising to get the article a mortar shell fell upon the coat. Mustered out at Elmira, N. Y., in June, 1865. Returned to Kendall county, Ill., and engaged with Marsh, Steward & Co., manufacturers of the Marsh harvester. Remained in their shops three years. In the winter of 1870 he came farther west, stopping for a time at Ft. Scott, Kan. Thence to Baxter Springs, where he engaged at carpentering. Came to Joplin in February, 1872, and remained several months. Disposed of interests here and engaged in mining in Webster county for nearly three months. Then returned to Joplin and engaged at auction business for about five years. Embarked in present business in May, 1881. Mr. Williams was married in Jasper county, Mo., Sept. 20, 1877, to Mrs. Laura Hillman, daughter of James and Sarah Mills, of Jasper. Mr. Williams is a man of good business qualifications; energetic and enterprising. He is deserving of the general esteem in which he is held.

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This family biography is one of more than 1,000 biographies included in The History of Jasper County, Missouri published in 1883.  For the complete description, click here: Jasper County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Jasper County, Missouri family biographies here: Jasper County, Missouri Biographies

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