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Below is a family biography included in The History of Miami County, Ohio published by W. H. Beers & Co. in 1880.  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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JOHN H. WILLIAMS, wagon-maker, Pleasant Hill; born in Newton Township Feb.16, 1826; is the son of Henry and grandson of Michael Williams; the latter was a native of North Carolina, and came to Ohio about the year 1800 bringing with him his four sons and five daughters, viz., George, Michael, Henry, John, Catherine, Frances, Elizabeth, Barbara and Mollie; from these, numerous descendants sprung, and now live in this vicinity; Michael, Sr., died soon after coming here. Henry was born in North Carolina in 1783; he made his first location on Sec. 19, purchasing 90 acres, afterward adding 240, which he principally cleared; he died Oct. 20, 1861; he was a good Christian, and held in high esteem He was married four times; his first wife, Elizabeth Stage, died Oct. 28, 1816; the second wife, Sarah Fetter, died March 15, 1829; the third wife, Nancy Miller, died May 15, 1858; his fourth wife, Esther (Neil) Coppock, now lives, at an old age; eighteen children were the fruits of these several unions, five by the first marriage, six by the second, and seven by the third; seven now survive. John H. was raised on the farm until 18, after which he followed wagon and carriage making seven years, and was the first carriage-maker of the township, and the only one making coach varnish; he has taken out the following patents: Improvement on fire setting and cooling machines, two patents on tire-setting, on following dates, June 19, 1857 and Oct 18, 1870, also patent for improvement in reeds for looms of weaving machines, for flexible window-shades (date, June 28, 1870), and a patent for measuring carriage cushions, dated Feb. 14, 1871; he is now engaged on an improved chemical apparatus for manufacturing medicines, and is also proprietor of a valuable compound medicine. Has been twice married; first, April 16, 1847, to Sarah Coate, who died March 17, 1861; of their seven children, three now survive. Nov. 3, 1863, he married Mary A. Gillums, of French descent, and born in Pennsylvania.

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This family biography is one of 964 biographies included in The History of Miami County, Ohio published in 1880 by W. H. Beers & Co.  For the complete description, click here: Miami County, Ohio History and Genealogy

View additional Miami County, Ohio family biographies here: Miami County, Ohio Biographies

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