Putnam County Illinois Pioneer Biographies, Sketches and Obituaries

The subject of this sketch was born Sept. 16, 1794, in Chester county, Pa., of Quaker parentage, consequently he inherited a birthright in the time honored society of friends, which he has maintained in good faith up to the present time. He married Hannah Brown in 1818, and to this time was born five children, Joshua B., David, Hannah, Margaret and Thomas; with his family he moved to Bellmont county, Ohio, in 1826, and in that year his wife died.

In 1827 he married Anna Morris in Bellmont county, Ohio, who still survives, and to this union 9 children have been born, Ruth Anna, Rebecca, Sarah, Elizabeth, Morris, Mary, Oliver, Amos and Laura; six of these children are still living. We believe that all of his first wife's children married in Ohio, before immigrating to this state.

He came to Putnam county, Ill., in 1851, and settled on the wild prairie, about two miles north of Magnolia, in what is now known as the Quaker neighborhood, and to that society he has been one of the main pillars ever since. He is the father of 14 children, 10 of whom are still living; 84 grandchildren, of whom 67 are still living and 37 great grandchildren, or a total of 135 descendants.

A reunion was held at the residence of Mrs. Rose Wilson in this township on the 24th of Sept. 1880, to celebrate his 86th birthday. About 70 of the family were present, consisting of all the living children, with their husbands and wives, and many of the grand and great grandchildren. A table was spread large enough for all, and well filled with all that an epicure could ask by the ladies of the reunion. At this table the aged couple were seated, and around them their middle aged children and many grand and great grandchildren, from infancy up. Many were in the reminiscences and retrospectives in the family conversation, yet the day passed off pleasantly, and all went away satisfied that it was well to be there. - Wenona Index.

George Dent

Taken From the Henry Republican
April 17, 1879

The following obituary notice of the late George Dent, was penned by his son, Thomas Dent, and published in a late number of the Hennepin Record:

Died in the 3d inst., at his residence in Minonk, Woodford county, George Dent, aged 71 years, 6 months, 18 days. The deceased was a native of Monogahala county, Virginia (now West Virginia). His ancestors were connected with the early settlement of that section, and with its government in civil affairs, and with military matters in the revolution. He was a son of John Evans Dent, who died in Putnam county, Ill., some eleven years ago, and Rebecca Hamilton, who emigrated to Muskingum county, Ohio, in the year 1808, and to Putnam county, Ill., in the year 1831.

The deceased took up his residence in Oxbow prairie in the latter year, and was of the volunteer force in the Black Hawk war in 1832. He opened a farm on Oxbow prairie, and for a number of years thereafter continued his connection with farming; but having through an accident, in the year 1836, been deprived of much use of his right hand, his attention was turned partially toward other business, and for the next following ten years he was connected with different local offices in his township and neighborhood, including the office of county assessor for one year.

In 1847 he was elected clerk of the county commissioners' court and recorder, and removed to the county seat, Hennepin, and there resided until the spring of 1869, filling meanwhile, among other positions, the office of clerk of the circuit court for some years; also the office of county judge for one term; and the office of member of the house of representatives in the general assembly, for the district composed of Putnam, Woodford and Marshall county for one term.

He removed in Minonk in the spring of 1869, and at his death was filling his second term as police magistrate of that place. The deceased was of a genial nature, and was somewhat distinguished for his recollection of people and his general acquaintance with persons and places within the range of his residence and travel in the country. In political matters, while adhering to his party in the main, he was much influenced by personal preferences. He enjoyed being hospitable, as was common in some of the earlier settlements. The funeral services occurred in the Methodist church in Minonk, on the 4th inst., and was largely attended.

The deceased had never attached himself to any church, but has been heard to signify that he should have taken a stand in early life. He also highly commended consistent profession. About one year before his death, he inscribed in the family bible, which had come down to him from his father, a sentiment, mainly a quotation from Sr. William Jones, beautifully expressive of the incomparable worth of the bible. This he is supposed to have done in order that his deliberate views on the subject might be distinctly manifested.

On the arrival of the corpse in Hennepin on Saturday morning last, a number of people, especially from the older residents, followed the remains to the grave, and viewed the face of the deceased. The following persons acted as pall bearers, to-wit: Jefferson Durley, A. T. Purviance, Wm. Eddy, Henry Casson, Martin Bauman, C. P. Towle, Patrick Dore, and Africa H. Turner. Selections from the scriptures were read by Rev. Mr. Murphy and a prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Bailey.

Thomas Paxson

(Sketch starts previous page - not copied) ...... February 25, 1854 (birth?). His father, Thomas Paxson, Sr., was born in Londonn county, Virginia, December 14, 1801, and in early life learned and followed the shoemaker's trade, while later he worked in a paper mill at Wheeling, West Virginia. Subsequently he removed to Ohio, where he carried on farming until his death. He was married to Miss Sarah McCormick, who was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in 1814. he was born and reared in the Quaker church, but in later years belonged to no denomination. He wife, however, was a member of the Methodist church. She was his second wife, his first wife having been a Miss Morgan, of Cincinnatti, Ohio. They had two children, both of whom died in infancy, and following the death of the mother, Thomas Paxson, Sr., wedded Miss McCormick, by whom he had ten children, four of whom are now living: William, who resides with his brother Thomas; Amos, who is living with near Magnolia, Putnam county; and Parven, a resident of Kansas.

Thomas Paxson of this review lived with his parents through the period of his minority, spending his youth on the home farm and acquiring a common-school education. When twenty-five years of age he left his parent's home and came to Illinois, working by the month as a farm hand in Marshall county. he later removed to Magnolia, Putnam county, and secured a clerkship in a store, where he was employed for about one year, and then resumed farming. While thus engaged he was elected to the office of sheriff of the county, and entered upon the duties of the position December 1, 1890. He served for four years and then conducted a hotel in Hennepin until 1898, when he was again elected county sheriff. Four years later he was chosen by popular suffrage to the position of county treasurer. It is a law that no man shall serve for two consecutive terms in the office of either treasurer or sheriff, and thus Mr. Paxson could not be nominated without a lapse of time, but in 1906 he was nominated for the third term for sheriff, and his popularity and ability as an officer leave little doubt as to the outcome of the election.

He was reared in the faith of the democracy, and his mature judgment has sactioned its policy and platform, and his elections therefore are all the greater compliment from the fact that Putnam is regarded as a republican county. He has also served as township clerk of Magnolia township, filling the office for two years before elected sheriff the first time. He was collector of Hennepin township for three years while in the sheriff's office and one year in the hotel. Later he served for four years, so that his incumbency in that position covered altogether eight years. No official is free from mistakes, but any that Mr. Paxson may have made have been errors of judgment rather than an indication of incapability of infidelity. On the contrary, people of the opposition party endorse his work and give him support at the ballot box, and his official record is altogether creditable.

Mr. Paxson was married in 1884 to Miss Alice Horton, a native of Magnolia and a daughter of N. C. Horton, an early settler of Putnam county. Mr. and Mrs. Paxson now have five children; Edwin G., Sallie, Thomas, Milton and Florence, all yet at home, the eldest being in his twenty-first year. Mr. Paxson is a valued member of the Woodmen, Masonic and Odd Fellows lodges, and he has in the county a wide acquaintance and qualities which render him very popular in political circles and private life. He regards a public office as a public trust - and no trust repose in him was ever betrayed in the slightest degree.

Taken From the Past and Present of Marshall and Putnam Counties
By John Spencer Burt and W. E. Hawthorne, Page 443
Printed by the Pioneer Publishing Company, Chicago, 1907

George Ish

February 28, 1878
Taken From the Henry Republican

The Peru Herald has a short sketch of the late George Ish of Putnam county. He was one of the oldest settlers of this part of the state, locating near Peoria in 1822, and near Granville in 1828. He was in the war of 1812, and was employed as a scout. He also held a captain's commission. He had much to do with the Indians of those time, gaining their confidence and good will. They entered the settlers cabins without ceremony, smoked their pipes in silence, accepted wheatever was given in the way of food, and departed as quietly as they came. His cabin was a double log house, as were most of the pioneer dwellings of those days. Mr. Ish lived to a good old age. He had several children who survived him, of whom Bazdel Ish still resides on the homestead.

Captain G. Dunlavy

Taken From the Henry Republican
January 8, 1874 - Putnam County News - Obituary

A correspondent, “L. W. K.” furnishes the Chicago Tribune with a becoming notice of CAPT. G. DUNLAVY, one of the old settlers of Hennepin township, who died on Monday of last week of apoplexy after but a few hours illness. The writer says that 47years ago MR. DUNLAVY came to Illinois from southern Ohio; and after a shortresidence in Bond county, moved to Hennepin, and built one of the first three houses created in that town, not a very elegant mansion to be sure, but one quite comfortable for those days.

Hennepin, at that time, was about the size of Chicago; but, in their race for future greatness, the former town has been somewhat distanced. The country, however, has rapidly settled up, and the broad prairies, that were then undisturbed by anything save the tramp of Indians and the howling of wild animals, are now filled with thriving neighborhoods and populous towns and villages. But those hardy pioneers who first broke the soil of this section, and planted the seeds of prosperity we now witness passing away – JOHN P. BLAKE, WILLIAMSON DURLEY and WILLIAM HAM being the only ones left of the little band who settled here together.

CAPT. DUNLAVY served in the Black-Hawk war, that was in progress at that time, and took an active interest in all that pertained to the prosperity and well-being of this entire section. He was fairly prosperous in worldly affairs, and was enabled to assist many benevolent enterprises, being rarely appealed to in vain. He was well known as an earnest and influential advocate of anti-slavery principles, and many were the interviews that we held at his residence by the Hon. OWEN LOVEJOY, HOOPER WARREN, and ICHABOD CODDING, those anti-slavery lights who have passed to their reward.

Fortunately, his last Christmas was passed with nearly all his family at home, and he was noticed by those present as being in unusually good spirits, and gave no indications of the sudden death that awaited him. It seems fitting that mention should be made of these old pioneers as they pass away one by one, who, with musket in one hand and ax in the other, fought and cut their way through to civilization, and to the comforts we now enjoy.

James R. Taliaferro

Taken From the Lacon Home Journal - Reprinted in the Henry Republican
September 4, 1879

James R. Taliaferro, a prominent settler of Putnam county, lives one-half mile north of Putnam station, on the Peoria branch of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific railroad. He was born in Clearmont county, Ohio, in 1810; his father being a soldier of the revolution, serving on the western frontier, and one of the intrepid band who, under Col. Clark, marched hundreds of miles through an unknown country swarming with hostile Indians, and captured Kaskaskia, and other posts held by the British, which have to freedom and free institutions the great northwest forever.

His mother was Rebecca Riddle, belonging to a family of noted Indian fighters. In one of those merciless raids so common in those days, the "station" was captured, and the inmates who were not killed on the spot were hurried off to Canada. The sufferings on the route were terrible, the well were loaded with plunder and those too feeble to stand the hardships, were butchered. Two of the brothers were adopted into the tribe and remained until men grown when they escaped and finally settled near Quincy, in this state, and became well known preachers of the Baptist persuasion.

About the year 1800 his father moved to Tremont county, Ohio, a heavily timbered region and opened a farm. The work of felling and burning the great trees was immense, and every member of his family was required to contribute such aid as he could give. When 15 years old disasters came upon the family and he was sent out to seek his own living, and hired himself to a farmer for $6 a month, then considered very fair wages. His opportunities for an education were limited to a few weeks schooling each winter, scraped together book learning enough to transact ordinary business quite satisfactorily.

When 19 years old he left home on the Ohio and went down the Mississippi to the vicinity of Memphis and engaged at chopping wood, getting 75 cents a cord, and easily cutting and piling three cords a day. In the spring he joined a party engaged in getting out timber for the New Orleans market, which they put into large rafts and floats down the river.

The swiftness of the current opposite the town made the landing of such unwieldly bodies difficult and dangerous. Several attempts were made, but the resistless river swept them past the city. The raft was so large and its momentum so great that no ordinary lines or posts to which they could attach availed to check its speed, and after floating down 70 miles without making a landing they despaired of doing so and abandoned it, and took passage on the Caroline, a government boat carrying supplied to troops engaged in the Black Hawk war.

At the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi, the boat landed and his first view of Cairo was had. The future city had but a single house (used for a tavern), and several warehouses, though there was a numerous population living in tents awaiting transportation. While here his funds gave out and he secured a situation at the tavern as a man of all work. There was much card playing going on, and one day he overlooked a game between a couple of professional gamblers and a greenhorn in which the latter was being badly fleeced. Opportunity offering soon after he privately cautioned him and was asked to take his place and play out the game. The other parties assenting, he sat down and won all their money.

Resuming his journey he came to Peoria, reaching there in 1832. West of Rome, at the foot of the bluff, an elder brother had settled some time previously, and with him he stayed until July, when he went back to Ohio, returning again in September.

In the spring of 1833 he married Charlotte Cleaveland and bought a place on Snachwine creek, near Moffitt's mill, and went to farming. Staid there until 1835, when he sold to Henry Pepper and moved to Putnam county, on the place he now occupies. The old cabin he built then still stands on lands belonging to John Williams. His nearest neighbor was Geo. Reeves, afterwards the noted outlaw, and the cabin he lived in may still be seen not far from Putnam station.

Reeves had three brothers, who preceded him to this country, their names being John, Terrell and Bill. They owned claims in the vicinity and sold one of them to to Lundsford Broaddus of Lacon, and he transferred it to Jesse C. Smith. Another claim was sold to Robert Davis - said to be the first real estate the latter ever owned, and on which he made his first "raise."

The Reeves brothers had no connection with their outlaw relative in his thieving operations, and returned to Indiana from whence they came before the latter began his career of rascality. They were believed to be honest men, but old Shabbona, at that time living on the bottoms above Snachwine station, had a number of ponies stolen, which were found concealed west of Henry where one of the brothers lived on the place afterwards owned by George Reeves. Shabbona took a sufficient number of his braves to overcome any possible opposition and drove them home.

Mr. Taliaferro is the oldest settler in Putnam county west of the river. On the west his nearest neighbor was John Boyd of Boyd's Grove, on the south Esq. Mallory, and on the north Jesse Perkins. The bane of the early settlers was ague and mosquitoes, and both were equally bad. Quinine was then as now the antidote of the first, and against the latter there was really no defense. They worried the life out of man and brute, and the only relief was found standing in smoke so dense as to be nearly suffocating.

Like all new countries there were privations encountered and hardships endured, but they were met in a manly spirit and overcome, and most of the early settlers look back on these times as the halcyon days of their existence.

Mr. and Mrs. Taliaferro had eight children born to them, five of whom have passed to the life beyond. Of their remaining children, two live in the vicinity and one in McLean county. Their old age is blessed with health and competence and they can look forward to the great change that comes to all with a reasonable assurance of having performed their duty here and with hopeful trust in the future.

Williamson Durley

TAKEN FROM THE HENRY NEWS REPUBLICAN, HENRY, IL
January 17, 1902

Williamson Durley was born in Caldwell county, KY, Jan. 7, 1810; died in Hennepin, Ill., Jan 14, 1901, aged 91 years, and 7 days. He moved with his parents from Kentucky to Sangamon county near Springfield, Ill., in 1819, where he was educated in a log school house with split logs for seats, hewed benches and other furniture to match. In that primitive college he laid the foundation of his knowledge on which he afterward built by the economical use of spare hours in private study.

In August, 1831, he came to Putnam county, Ill., taking part that season in the first year of the Black Hawk war. He and his uncle James Durley opened up a stock of goods under the firm name of J.& W. Durley, and continued for four years. In 1837 he moved on his farm two miles east of Hennepin and in 1811 he entered into the mercantile trade with Andrew Wardlaw, under the firm name of Durley & Wardlaw. He remained on his farm until the autumn of 1880, when he retires and moved to Hennepin.

He served as internal revenue assessor from 1862 to 1865, assistd in filling out the township quota, and was active in organizing the Union League long prior to the Rebellion. He was in full sympathy with the Liberty party and acted with the Free Soil party in 1848 and 1852, and has trained in the Republican ranks since that great party sprang into power.

He was married to Elizabeth Winters of Miama County, Ohio, Dec. 21, 1834, who preceded him to the spirit world six years ago. He was one of the foremost men of Putnam county and was only feeble a few hours before his death. He passed quietly away at 3 o'clock Monday afternoon. Funeral was held from the First Congregational church Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock. His daughters, Mrs. Hartenbower and Mrs. H.A. Stewart arrived Tuesday morning, accompanied by Hon J.J. Hartenbower of Des Moines, Iowa. Mr. Durley leaves one brother, four sons, and three daughters, 21 grandchildren and three great grandchildren, besides a host of relatives and friends. The funeral was conducted by Rev. P.M. France, pastor of the First Congregation church, of which Mr. Durley was a devoted member.

TAKEN FROM THE HENRY NEWS REPUBLICAN, HENRY, IL
Thursday, July 9, 1891

Thomas W. Sheperd

Thomas W. Sheperd was born in Mason Co. Kentucky in 1812 and departed this life, July 8, 1891, age nearly 79 years. At the age of 6 years, he removed with his parents to Indiana and from there at the age of 23, to this county, Putnam.

In 1844, he was married to Miss Katherine Hand. Of a family of 10 children, 7 are still living. He was received into the M.E. church at the age of 14. In 1844, he joined the True Weslyan as an ernest advocate of anti-slavery sentiments and was also an honest opposer of secret societies. A man of firm integrity as he was, he was respected by those even whom he opposed and was followed to his last resting place by a multitude who could not but respect him. His funeral was largly attended from the congregational church of which at his latter years he was a hardy and liberal supporter, his wife being a member. The pastor, A.M. Case preached an appropriate sermon ...... His remains were interned in the Union Grove cemetery there to rest until the last great day.

TAKEN FROM THE HENRY NEWS REPUBLICAN, HENRY, IL
Thursday, January 21, 1904

Amos T. Purviance

Passes away Thursday at 12:20 p.m. Jan. 14, 1904

Amos T. Purviance was born near Smithfield, Jefferson county, Ohio, March 6, 1823. At the age of 16 yearrs, he entered the office of the Steubenville Herald. Soon after learning the printer’s trade, in connection with a cousin who was an attorney, he purchased the paper which they published for about a year and on selling out he came west. Previously Mr. Purviance was married Aug. 7, 1843, in Jefferson county, Ohio, to Miss Mary Ong. They came to Putnam county in the spring of 1847 and located on a farm and for seven years, he devoted himself to farming. In September 1853, he moved to Hennepin, where he clerked in E.F. Pulsifer’s dry goods store, and in 1854 was elected sheriff of Putnam County, in which office he served for two years, and the following year was a member of the dry goods firm of Grable, Cowles & Purviance. In 1857 he was first elected County Clerk and was repeatedly re-elected until he had filled the office for 41 consecutive years. Aug. 7, 1895, Mr. Purviance and his estimable wife celebrated their golden wedding. His whole life, socially and politically, was singularly pure and lofty. He joined the I.O.O.F. lodge meeting, Oct. 14, 1853, and has been a stalwart supporter of that body up to time of his death. Funeral services were conducted at teh home Sunday afternoon at two o’clock, conducted by Rev. W.L. Douglas, and followed by services the the cemetery by the I.O.O.F. lodge, which were very impressive. Truly, one of Putnam county’s able men has left us. The family are very grateful to all who kindly assisted them in the care and burial of their beloved father. Those present from abroad were Robt. Pettibone of Chicago, Hon A.W. Hopkins of Granville, John Swaney, Amos Wilson, Abel and Perry Mills, Juges Mills and McNabb, John Sutherland and wife of Magnolia and a large number of brother Odd Fellows from Henry, Granville and Bureau.

The Family of John Evans Dent and Rebecca Hamilton

Courtesy Bradleytwo@aol.com

I am writing you on behalf of the DENT FAMILY who lived in Oxbow Prairie in 1831. JOHN EVANS DENT and REBECCA HAMILTON settled in Oxbow Prairie in 1830. Their son, GEORGE EVANS DENT and COMFORT IJAMS settled in Oxbow Prairie in 1830, on what was later called the Law Farm. Their son, HENRY CLAY DENT, was born on July 1, 1836 in Magnolia. HENRY CLAY DENT married ELIZABETH WILCOX ELIZABETH WILCOX was the daughter of DR. LEVI WILCOX, JR. and NANCY ROGERS . They moved to Pattensburg, Marshall Co., ILL in 1838 where daughter ELIZABETH was born in December 5, 1839.

THOMAS IJAMS DENT, brother of HENRY CLAY DENT, was born November 14, 1831 in Oxbow Prairie, Putnam Co., Illinois. He became a successful lawyer and judge in Chicago, Illinois.

I hope that this information will be of help to you and that it might be added to information you already have on these early settlers.

Jacob Streamer

Jacob Streamer, drug and variety store, Pontiac; familiarly known as "Uncle Jake Streamer;" he is one of the early settlers of Pontiac, having resided here since 1852; he was born on the 8th of Feb., 1818 in Williamsburg, Blair Co., Penn.; he was raised to the business of a tailor and came to Illinois in 1844 settling in Putnam Co., and opening a grocery store; he established the first Sunday school in Putnam Co.; in 1850 he came to Reading in this county where he remained two years, and then removed to Pontiac, when there were but six houses in the place, and opened a tailor shop; he acted as Postmaster two years, although the regular appointee was J. P. Garner; he has been Justice of the Peace twelve years. He was married April 14, 1853 to Miss Salina Sturman who was born in Virginia, Oct. 3, 1831; they have three children--Mary E., hattie E. and Francis M.

--Taken from The History of Livingston County Illinois Illustrated Chicago: Wm. Le Baron, Jr., & Co., 186 Dearborn Street 1878, Pontiac Township page 649

J. B. Williamson

Donated by Lois Osborn

Taken From the Biographical History of Crawford, Ida, and Sac counties, Iowa by the Lewis Publishing Company Chicago: 1893 pg. pgs 573 & 574

J. B. Williamson.--Prominent among the men who have been instrumental in the upbuilding of Sac county is J. B. Williamson, who located in the county in 1882, coming form Marshall County, Illinois. He was born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, in 1844 a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Burton) Williamson, natives of Pennsylvania. In 1852 they came to Illinois, settling in Putnam county, and later in LaSalle county, where the father died in 1878, the mother having died in Putnam county in 1854. By occupation the father was a farmer. Our subject was reared in Putnam and LaSalle counties, Illinois, and educated in the schoods of the latter county. In October, 1861, he enlisted in the service of his country, at Magnolia, in company A, First Illinois Cavalry, for three years. After nine months of service he was discharged on account of sickness at Rolla, Missouri. He again enlisted in February, 1864, in Company H, One hundred and Fourth Illinois Infantry, joining the regiment at Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was first under fire at Buzzard's Roost, then at Resaca and later at Kenesaw Mountain and Jonesville. He then participated in the battle at Peach Orchard, Atlanta and went on the famous march to the sea, and through the Carolinas, participating in the battle of Bentonville, North Carolian. They then marched to Richmond, from there to Washington, and participated in the grand review at Washington, District of Columbia. Mr. Williamson was transferred some time prior to this to the Thirty-fourth Verteran Infantry and his regiment was stationed at Louisville, Kentucky for some six weeks before they were discharged, July, 1865, at that city.

At the close of the war he returned home and resumed farming. Two years later, in 1867 he went to Marshall county, Illinois settling near Wenona, where he followed farming until removing to Sac county. On his arrival to this county, in 1882, he engaged in farming and stock-raising, which he continued till September, 1892, when in partnership with J.W. Fleming, he bought the coal and live-stock business of J.W. Dixon, of Auburn, Iowa. When he settled in Sac county he selected Cedar township as his place of location, purchasing a partly-improved farm of 320 acres, all of which was broken and on which was a frame residence, one and one-half stories in height, with dimensions of 16 X 22 feet, and a L, 12 X 16 feet, one story in Height. This he repaired and built a good bar, 50 X 52 feet. Three acres of the farm are devoted to a good grove and orchard, while all the land is under fence. He has disposed of this property and purchased other land in Calhoun county.

Mr. Williamson was married in LaSalle county, Illinois in 1867, to Miss Rachel M. Packingham, a native of LaSalle county, Illinois, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah Packingham, natives of Pennsylvania. They were pioneers of LaSalle county, Illinois, where the father died. The mother still resides there. She and her husband pursued an agricultural life. One of their sons, Allen, served in an Illinois regiment and now resides in Marshall county, illinois. Mrs. Williamson died in 1879, in Marshall county, Illinois, after bearing her husband the following children: Frank; Libbie, a successful teacher of Sac county; Benjamin; Hattie, also a successful teacher of Sac county; and James. Hattie and Libbie are now teaching in the county. Our subject was married a second time in LaSalle county, Illinois, in 1881, to Miss Nellie G. Cunningham, a native of Oxford, Butler county, Ohio, daughter of James and Zenobia (Hinekley) Cunningham, natives of Ohio, who early emigrated to LaSalle county, settling near LaSalle. The father was a farmer. His death occurred in 1889, the mother having died in Ohio. Th his second marriage two children have been added, namely; Zerelda and Lotis. Socially, Mr. Williamson is connected with the William T. Sherman Post, No. 284. He takes some interest in politics, voting with the Republican party.

During his residence in Cedar township he served as Trustee and Secretary of the School Board. Since his coming to the State, the country in this portion of Iowa has improved 25 per cent, and many of the improvements Mr. Williamson has been instrumental in effecting. Although not at present a resident of Cedar township, he takes an interest in her welfare, as well as in that of his new home, Auburn.

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