Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Page 300  

ROBERT McWILLIAMS Among the sturdy, energetic and successful farmers and stock-raisers of Sedgwick County, who thoroughly understand the vocation which they follow, and are consequently enabled to carry on their calling with profit to themselves, is the subject of this sketch. He is actively engaged in agricultural pursuits on section 3, Rockford Township, where he has a fine farm of 200 acres of land. 

     Mr. McWilliams is a native of Westmoreland County, Pa., and first drew the breath of life Sept. 21, 1836. He is the son of Andrew and Mary (McWilliams) McWilliams, both of whom were natives of the Keystone State. His father, who was born Dec. 6, 1806, is still living, and engaged in farming operations in the same county in which he was born. Our subject was reared among the hills and mountains of his native State, and there breathed in the spirit of freedom and independence which is so largely characteristic of him. He drew his education from the excellent common schools of his native county, and early in life received a home training upon the farm, which has so well fitted him for the calling which he has followed ever since. He remained beneath the roof of his parents' house until his marriage, which occurred Oct. 21, 1857. On that day Mr. McWilliams and Miss Rebecca J. Ross plighted their mutual faith at the nuptial altar. The bride was born in Westmoreland County, also Feb. 12, 1839, and is the daughter of Samuel H. and Elizabeth (Leslie) Boss, who were natives of the Keystone State. Her father, who was a farmer by occupation, died in December, 1885, at the age of seventy-three years. 

     After his marriage our subject commenced farming in his native State, upon a piece of land which he had rented, but in 1858 removed to Union County, Ohio, where he followed farming for about seven years. While a resident of the latter State, he became a member of the State Militia, and was sworn into the service of the United States Government in the summer of 1863 and served for about four months. In 1865 our subject removed with his family to Ford County, Ill., where he made a purchase of 170 acres of land, on which he remained tilling the soil for about thirteen years. At the expiration of that period he came to Kansas and purchased 200 acres of land on these "wondrous beautiful prairies where billowy bays of grass ever roll in shadow and sunshine," and where he settled down to bring the prairie sod under subjection to the wants of man. By his energy and industry he has succeeded in bringing his acres to a high state of cultivation, has erected comfortable buildings of a very substantial character, and has set out a fine orchard of over 1,000 trees and an abundance of small fruits. A greater portion of his attention is given to the raising of stock, making a specialty of Norman and Clydesdale horses, graded Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China hogs. 

     Politically, our subject is a Democrat, although he is not strictly bound by party lines nor is he a seeker after political office. Both he and his estimable wife are members of the Methodist Protestant Church, and are sincere and consistent Christian people. Mr. and Mrs. McWilliams are the parents of seven children, as follows: Samuel R., who was born March 19, 1859; George F., whose birth took place Aug. 1, 1861; Ada May, who was born Feb. 12, 1864, married William M. Sutton, Sept. 21, 1880, and is living in Scott County, this State; Etta B., whose birth took place Aug. 18, 1867; Alice J., whose natal day was Feb. 23, 1870; Mary E., who was born July 8, 1872, and Josie L., whose birthday was Dec. 27, 1875.

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