Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 780 - 785

JOHN WILLIAMS. The magnificent section of country in Southern Kansas has been developed by some of the most stirring and enterprising men of this enterprising country and age. No spot on the globe has been more quickly transformed from its native condition into a blooming garden than this section of the State of Kansas. One of the leading spirits in this wonderful work is Mr. Williams, who resides on section 18, Eagle Township. He is one of the most extensive land-owners in this vicinity, and one of the heaviest stock-raisers in Sedgwick County, or even in the State of Kansas. His land comprises sections 17 and 18, lots 1, 2, 3 and 4 on section 19, the northeast quarter of section 21, and 240 acres on section 7, making in all 1,800 acres, the greater part of it being in pasture and grass land. He keeps over 700 cattle, principally graded stock, selling some at the home market, sometimes as many as 140 head, and shipping some to Kansas City. He also raises swine of the Poland-China breed, having about 150 at present, and he has a number of horses of a common stock, besides owning four or five blooded horses.

            Mr. Williams is a native of Monmouthshire, England, the date of his birth being April 9, 1837. He is the son of John and Ann (Wallis) Williams, natives and life-long residents of England. His father was a farmer; he was much looked up to in the community where he resided, and was a stanch member of the Church of England. To him and his good wife were born three children -- Thomas, Sarah and John. Thomas came to this country with our subject in 1857, landing in New York City, thence to Chicago, from there to Du Page County, Ill., whence he finally went to Iowa, where he still resides, engaged in farming.

            The parents of our subject died when he was very young, his mother dying when he was two years old, and his father shortly after. He grew to man's estate in his own country, and in 1857 determined to emigrate to the United States, where he thought he could get a better start in life. Before coming, however, he was united in marriage, May 29, 1857, to Miss Mary, daughter of Edward and Ann (Edwards) Williams. Her parents are now dead; they were life-long residents of England, and members of the Episcopal Church. They were the parents of four girls and one boy, namely: James, Ann, Elizabeth, Mary and Sarah. James and Mrs. Williams are the only members of the family now living.

            Very soon after marriage our subject came to America with his brother, leaving his wife in their old home. In the following year, however, he was enabled to send for her; she crossed the water alone, and they were once more united. In March, 1873, they came to Kansas, and after spending two weeks in Wichita, Mr. Williams pre-empted the southeast quarter of section 18, and they lived there until September, 1875, when he took up the southwest quarter of section 18, under the homestead law, and they settled there the following six years. In 1881 they moved into their present residence on the northeast quarter of the same section.

            Mr. Williams started in the cattle business very soon after he came to Kansas, and with characteristic energy, enterprise and judicious management, has prosecuted it ever since with unbounded success, and has greatly added to his wealth. He bought his first bunch of cattle in 1874 of Hall Bros., and has constantly increased his purchases until now he owns the large number stated in the first part of this article. He employs one man the year round, besides having the assistance of his sons to attend to the cattle and help in the farm work. He is a shrewd, careful business man, and has gained a wide reputation throughout the State for his fair and strictly honorable dealings.

            Five sons complete the pleasant household of our subject and his amiable wife, namely: John E., Thomas J., William F., George G. and Charles E., all of whom live at home and assist their father in the management of his large stock farm.

            Mr. Williams takes a deep interest in promoting the welfare of the township and county, and often contributes liberally to some enterprise for the advancement of one or both. He does not often take part in public affairs, although he has served as Treasurer of District No. 48, Eagle Township, but the pressure of his immense business interests obliged him to resign that office, as he could not find time to attend properly to the duties of that position. He is an earnest and conscientious member of the Christian Church, and in politics he is a firm believer in the principles supported by the Republican party. A fine double-page view of the residence and farm of our subject appears elsewhere in this work. The artist has also sketched some of the splendid animals that abound on this magnificent place.

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