My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAMS, JOHN B., farmer, S. 6; P. O. Denmark; a grandson of Jacob Williams, who was born a Quaker in Queens Co., on Long Island, the residence of the family for the past two centuries. He married Miss Starkin, whose ancestors were among the first settlers of the United States; had five children, four sons and one daughter — Benjamin, the fourth, was born on Long Island in 1778; there learned the blacksmith trade, and married Miss Annie, daughter, of Stephen Dodge, a soldier of the Revolution and Aide under Washington, who, in 1828, went West and has not since been heard of; she was born on Long Island in 1785; they had two sons and three daughters; the youngest son was John B.; born in Dearborn Co., Ind., in 1828; lost his mother when 6 years of age, and was brought up by a brother-in-law; at 17 years of age, learned the blacksmith trade, served an apprenticeship of three years, and, soon after completing it, in 1848, came to Lee Co. June 10, 1849. Married Miss Elizabeth Morgan, who was born in Dearborn Co., Ind., in 1830, and, with her father, John Morgan, came to Lee Co. in 1839; Mr. W. worked at his trade until 1853, then, in company with eight others, took the overland route to California, started the 12th of March and arrived at Volcano, Eldorado Co., the 10th of August of the same year; worked at his trade and at mining for two years, and by the Nicaragua and Vanderbilt line of steamers via New York returned home; arrived Oct. 19, 1855, and, with the exception of one year spent in Illinois, has lived for twenty years in Green Bay Tp.; the 20th of February, 1876, he removed to his present place of residence, where he owns 200 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre; they have five children, have lost four — Henry (born Nov. 22, 1850, died Feb. 11, 1865), John B., born April 8, 1853; Omer, born in Illinois in 1856; Janey and Mary (twins), born June 26, 1859, the former died Feb. 8, 1860, the latter March 3 of the same year; Annie, born June 3, 1861; Abram A., Nov. 4, 1863; Edward, June l, 1866, died Aug. 12, 1870, and George B., May 9, 1870. Republican. A member of A., F. & A. M., Hiram Lodge, No. 7.