My Genealogy Hound

JOHN T. WILLIAMS, formerly a successful merchant of Tyrone, is now living retired from business. He was born here January 13, 1824, and here was reared to mature years, spending a portion of his time on the home place, and the remainder in his father’s store. When about nineteen years of age the father died, leaving his affairs in a very unsettled condition, and for two years our subject was occupied in making collections and settling up the estate.

In the winter of 1843-44 Mr. Williams, in company with another gentleman, rode the entire distance to and from Wisconsin on horseback. Mr. Williams returned on the 1st of April of the latter year, and, purchasing a farm in the town of Tyrone, was engaged in its cultivation for three years following. He was married about this time to Miss Caroline M. Curtis, a native of Yates County, N. Y. At the expiration of three years Mr. Williams sold the above farm and thereafter gave his attention principally to speculating in real estate, buying and selling farms. He also cultivated the soil successfully during this time, and was engaged in this vocation until about fifty years of age. About this time he entered into partnership with E. R. Bissell, of Tyrone, and together they were the proprietors of a thriving mercantile establishment, the connection existing for twelve or thirteen years. Mr. Williams then sold out his interest in the business and has since lived a retired life.

By his marriage with Miss Curtis our subject became the father of two sons. The wife and mother died in 1854, after nine years of happy married life. Mr. Williams was afterward married to his present wife, Eunice C. Jones, a native of Seneca Falls, N. Y., where she lived until about ten years of age. She then accompanied her parents on their removal to Yates County and there resided until attaining mature years. She became the mother of two daughters: Maggie, who died April 28, 1885, aged twenty-eight years; and Mary, who died in infancy.

Our subject has been a supporter of Republican principles ever since the organization of the party and has always taken a lively interest in the welfare of his community. With his wife, he is an influential member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he has been Elder for upwards of forty years. As a result of his industrious habits and correct business principles, he is now living retired, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of a large circle of friends.