MR. JOHN E. WILLIAMS. BANGOR, LACROSSE COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
JOHN E. WILLIAMS, one of the most prominent and successful farmers of Hamiltomn township, is a citizen of the United States by adoption, his native land being Wales, where he was born May 18th, 1833. His parents, Edward and Margaret (Pritchard) Williams, were natives of Wales; the father emigrated to America in 1842, and settled in Oneida county, New York, where he established himself in business; he was a carpenter and joiner by trade, and was widely known as a very superior workman; later in life he engaged in agricultural pursuits.He and his wife were consistent members of the Congregational Church. He died May 15th, 1873, aged eighty years; and she passed away September 19th, aged eighty four years.
They reared a family of ten children; Edward and Richard both gave their lives in the service of their country; William and David both live in New Jedrsey; Eleanor married Mr. Vaughn, who is now deceased; Ann is the wife of James Stevens; Elizabeth deceased, was the wife of D. J. Jones; Margaret married James Linsey, deceased; Mary is the wife of C. Evans; John E. the subject of this notice, was eight years of age when his parents emigrated to this country. At the age of 12 years he went out in the world, and engaged his services to Farmers in the neighbourhood of his home.
It was in 1858 that he came to La Crosse county and settled in Bangor township; there he bought 120 acres of wild land, which he improved and to which he made additions until 1867, when he sold it, he had other land in Adams valley, Burns township, which he still owns, his farm consists of 278 acres, in an advanced state of cultivation, and well adapted for either stock or grain, the buildings are neat and substantial, and well suited to the demands of agricultural pursuits.
While a resident of Burns township, Mr. Williams was one of the leading farmers. He removed to West Salem in April, 1891, and has resided there since that time; he owns seven acres of land just out of town.
He was united in marriage January 8th, 1865, to Miss Eleanor Pierce. Mrs. Williams was seven years of age when her father emigrated to America and settled in Racine, Wisconsin. There they lived four years, and then came to La Crosse and took up land in 1852; the father died in May, 1889, aged seventy seven years; the mother, in 1863, at the age of forty seven years. They were members of the Presbyterian Church, and were devout followers of the faith. They reared a family of nine children; Jane, deceased wife of Benton Simonton; Mary, deceased wife of E. R. Roberts; Mrs. Williams; Hugh, deceased; Hugh F., who still survives; Margaret, widow of John C. Williams; Anna, wife of N. M. Buttles, od Onalaska; John M., and William R.
Mr. and Mrs. Williams are parents of seven children; Nellie J., Wife of Otto Mose, was one of the most successfuleducators in La Crosse county; Edward Jesse, a student of Beloit, Wisconsin; Richard Wallace, a student in the Deaf Mute College, Washington, District Columbia, Margaretta, a teacher of La Crosse, of wide experience; Mary, Anna and Elizabeth, the three younger children being pupils in the West Salem schools.
The family are connected with the Congregational Church. Mr. Williams is a member of the A.O.U.W. He is a man of liberal and progressive views, and has given a cordial support to those enterprises which tend to elevate the religious and educational standards in the community.