MR. THOMAS LLOYD WILLIAMS, RACINE, WISCONSIN.
THOMAS LLOYD WILLIAMS, a prominent Welsh resident of Racine, Wisconsin, now living retired, was for many years connected with the political and business interests of this city. He wvas born in Dyffryn, Merionethshire, North Wales, in December, 1830, son of Capt. Evan and Catherine (Lloyd) Williams.Cadwallader Williams, the grandfather of Thomas L., was a farmer. He was a native of Wales, and lived to an advanced age; his wife's name was Barbara. His grandmother on his maternal side attained her eighty-eighth year, while his great-grandmother attained the great age of ninety-nine years. Cadwallader Williams was the son of William Ap Robert and the grandson of Robert Evans. Evan Williams, father of Thomas L., was a sea captain, and his sons and a brother were of the same occupation. He made a number of trips to America, but retained his home in Wales, where he died in 1849, aged fifty-eight years. His wife passed away in 1838, at the age of thirty-nine. They were Welsh Presbyterians.
Thomas Lloyd Williams is the only living member of his father's family of seven children. He remained in Wales until his nineteenth year and received a common school education there, after which he was apprenticed to learn the draper's trade, which he followed at Carnarvon and Liverpool. Emigrating to America in 1850, he located in Racine and engaged in general merchandising for twenty years, after which he worked in the woollen mills for about twelve years. He then served as city assessor for three years, and as supervisor in the Second ward for four years, since which time he has lived retired.
In 1868 Mr. Williams married Mrs. Catherine Owen, of Wales, daughter of John and Jane (Williams) Lloyd, the former being a carpenter and farmer who settled in Racine in 1842. To this union one daughter, Barbara, has been born. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are members of the Welsh Presbyterian Church. Politically he is a Republican.
Since his residence in Racine Mr. Williams has made three trips to Wales, to visit his old home, where he has many relatives. Mr. Williams is by long residence and business career regarded as a prominent and representative man of Racine. He is a gentleman of high character, genial and affable, and is a recognized leader among the Welsh people of the city. He wields a trenchant pen and does considerable writing for the Drych, a Welsh paper published in Utica, N. Y. As to his connection with the Welsh Presbyterian Church, it may be stated, more in detail, that he has served it as a Sunday school teacher for the past fifty years, has been secretary and trustee of the church for many years, and one of its most active workers. Striking proofs that he has the entire confidence of the community are the facts that he has settled as many estates as any man in the county, and that he is so frequently called upon for personal advice in the settlement of complications of every nature. His absolute integrity, his impartiality, his patience and good judgmetn, and his active mind and body, have all conspired to give him this enviable standing, besides marking him as one of the most popular men in Racine county.
Commemorative Biographies of Racine and Kenosha Counties.
MR. THOMAS L. WILLIAMS, RACINE, WISCONSIN.
CAME TO RACINE IN 1850.
In the death of Thomas Lloyd Williams, which occured on Thursday morning at his home, 731 College Avenue, Racine loses one of its most honourable and valuable Welsh citizens, who for many years was connected with the political and business interests of the city.The immediate cause of his demise was heart failure, with which he was stricken several weeks ago. Although death was anticipated, the announcement that he was no more brought forth expressions of sorrow from all classes of people who had known and loved him for more than half a century.
Mr. Williams was a remarkable man in a great many respects as a businessman, writer and composer in the Welsh language, and knowledge of the affairs of the people, and in fact that his advise was always sought with referred to history of the early settlement of the Welsh in this country and particularly the state of Wisconsin.
Thomas Lloyd Williams was born in the village of Dyffryn Ardudwy, Merioneth, North Wales, December 3, 1830, and was a son of Captain Evan and Catherine Lloyd Williams. They were also born in Merionethshire, in the same village as their son and were descended from old families of that region, many generations remote. Deceased was the only living member of his father's family of seven children.
After attending school in his native town for six years, he became a student under Edward Morgan in the High school conducted by that gentleman. On the termination of his school days he was apprenticed to the mercantile business in his native village and afterward at Carnarvon, where he remained until 1849, when we went to Liverpool, England, and in that city engaged in the mercantile business until the following year, when he returned to Dyffryn and resumed his business for a brief time.
In the month of April 1850, he emigrated to America and upon landing in this country he came direct to Racine, arriving in May of that year. The first year of his residence here he spent as salesman for the mercantile business of Mooney and Miller, after which he went to Newark, Ohio, and was back and forth between that ciry and Racine several times until 1854, when he embarked in the mercantile business here in company with the late John Vaughn, the firm being known as Vaughn and Williams and the Old Bank Road Store, at the corner of Sixth and College Avenue; and one of the oldest houses in the city. The connection was continued until the fall of 1873, when the partnership ceased. The business was prosperous and the firm accumulated considerable property. After going out of business, Mr. Williams was employed at the Racine Woolen Mill for a period of twelve years and made that concern a trusted and good employee.
Retiring from the Woolen Mill he led a somewhat retired life, but was ever active in the business affairs of his town and ever ready to assist in the upbuilding, not only of the city in general, but his countrymen. Several times during his residence here he made trips to Wales, his native home.
So, Mr. Williams, by his long residence in rhe Belle City, was surely a prominent and representative business man. He was a gentleman of high character, genial and affable and recognised as a leader among the Welsh people in Wisconsin.. He wielded a trenchant pen and wrote and published much interesting matter in relation to the history of the settlement in this country, among the articles being an exhaustive history of the Welsh Presbyterian Church. He wrote a great deal for the 'Drych', a Welsh paper published in Utica, New York, besides for Racine local papers in the way of biographical sketches of departed people.
As to his connection with the Welsh Presbyterian church, it may be stated, more in detail, that he served it as a Sunday school teacher for the past fifty years, was secretary and trustee of the church for many years and one of its most active workers.
Striking proof that he had the entire confidence of the community are the facts that he was called upon to settle as many estates as any man in the county, and he was frequently called upon for advice in the settlement of complications of every nature.
Politically Mr. Williams was a staunch Republican, always supporting its principles when he believed they were right and for the best interests of the people at large. He was elected and served as ? of the city of Racine for three years and it is admitted that he was a good judge of the value of property and made a most efficient official in that capacity. He was also elected supervisor of the Second ward for four years and served his constituents with great satisfaction. Mr. Williams was one of the charter members of thr Royal Areanum and a member of the St. David's society, in fact one of the hardest workers and supporters of the last named organisation.
In 1869 Mr. Williams married Mrs. Catherine Owen of Wales, the wedding taking place at Portage, Wisconsin. She, with one daughter, Mrs. Barbara Jones, wife of Howell Jones survives.
Few men have passed in recent years who will be missed more from the everyday walks of life than Thomas L. Williams and his surviving wife, daughter and other relatives will have the heartfelt sympathy of the entire community.
His absolute integrity, his impartiality, his patience and good judgement, and his active mind and body, all conspired to give him this enviable standing besides marking him as one of the most popular of men of Racine.
The funeral will take place on Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Welsh Presbyterian church.