My Genealogy Hound

ROBERT E. WILLIAMS. The most powerful incentive to a useful and earnest life is the example of one whom to know is to honor. Such an example is that of the subject of this sketch. Through the vicissitudes as well as in the conquests of life he has ever proven himself to be true to his convictions, faithful to his country, and a friend to his fellow-men. He has been rewarded by the love and confidence of all who know him and by the consciousness of a well spent life.

November 2, 1836, Robert E. Williams was born in North Wales, where he lived until he attained the age of nineteen years. He received his education in his native land,and came to America in 1855, locating in York County, Pa. In February, 1857, however, he came to Catasauqua and became connected with the Crane Iron Company. During this time he ran a blast engine, and for a number of months was engaged in working with engines of different kinds.

In the crisis of our nation’s history, Mr. Williams was one of the first to respond to the tap of the drum, and volunteered in April, 1861, enlisting in Company D of the Ninth Regiment, under Captain Han d, of Allentown, Pa. He was mustered in on the 3d of that month, and was with the regiment at Martinsburg, Harper’s Ferry and Harrisonburg. Mustered out about the 2d of July, he re-enlisted in the Forty-sixth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, in Company C at Harrisburg, going with his regiment to Winchester. He was in all the engagements of his company until the battle of Cedar Mountain, where he was wounded, August 9, 1862. Shot through the body, he lay on the battlefield without medical attendance for forty-eight hours, after which he was removed to Culpeper Court House. There he remained, for a similar length of time receiving treatment. After this he was taken to the hospital at Alexandria, Va., where he lay for three months, or until able to be out.

Mr. Williams was mustered out of service in November, 1862, on account of physical disability caused by a gunshot wound, and continued in poor health for about ten years after leaving the hospital. In the beginning of the year 1864 he became weigh-master on the Catasauqua & Fogelsville Railroad. He served in this capacity for about nine months, when he was transferred to the general office in Catasauqua. Here he held the position of Chief Clerk, and soon afterward was made General Freight Agent and Cashier of the road. The road was extended several times, and he remained General Freight Agent until the Crane Iron Company sold out to the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company in 1890, when the office at this place was discontinued. He was connected with the Catasauqua & Fogelsville Railroad for nearly thirty years, 1864-1891, and is still a stockholder in that company. In 1891 he became head bookkeeper for the firm of Davies & Thomas, who own a foundry and machine shop. He is also a stockholder in the National Bank of this place.

In the year 1864, in Catasauqua, Miss Maggie Price became the wife of Robert E. Williams. She was born in Minersville, Schuylkill County, and was the daughter of David Price, who was a carpenter with the Crane Company. He retired from business, however, and died at the advanced age of eighty-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have an adopted daughter whose name is Cora B. She is a graduate of the high school, and an acceptable teacher in this place.

Mr. Williams is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Catasauqua, and also an Elder. He is a stanch Republican, and has been Burgess of the city, having been elected in 1885, ‘86 and ‘87. He is a member of Porter Lodge No. 284, F. & A. M., of which he is Past Master; Catasauqua Chapter No. 278, R. A. M.; Allentown Commandery No. 20, K. T.; and Allen Council No. 23, R. & S. M., at Allentown. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he serves as Past Grand, and is also a member of Fuller Post No. 378, G. A. R., in which he is Past Commander.