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Williams Family Cemetery ~ William Edward Williams ~ part of the Polk County Pioneer Cemeteries of Oregon
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Williams, William Edward
LAST NAME: Williams FIRST NAME: William MIDDLE NAME: Edward NICKNAME: Bill
MAIDEN NAME:  AKA 1:  AKA 2:  AKA 3: 
GENDER: M TITLE: 
BORN: 7 Mar 1852 DIED: 5 Feb 1939 BURIED: 8 Feb 1939 (Williams Family Cemetery)
OCCUPATION:  Farmer; Deputy Sheriff; Postmaster; Merchant
BIRTH PLACE:  Airlie, Polk Co., Oregon
DEATH PLACE: Salem, Marion Co., Oregon
NOTES: 
Name of father James E. Williams
Maiden name of mother Martha Wittcher
1880 OR CENSUS - W. E. Williams, age 28, occupation farming, b. Oregon, and his wife A. A., age 24, b. Oregon, along with their son W., age 1, b. Oregon. Also enumerated with the home is Martha Williams, age 74, b. Virginia, identified as mother [of William], and Ellen Medcalf, age 20, identified as "relation", b. Oregon.
1900 OR CENSUS - William Williams, age 48, occupation farmer, b. Mar 1852 in Oregon, is enumerated with his wife of 24 years, America A., age 44, mother of 5, b. Feb 1856 in Oregon, along with Clyde M., age 22, b. Aug 1877 in Oregon, Wade H., age 21, b. Aug 1878 in Oregon, Loyd A., age 18, b. Feb 1882 in Oregon, Willie E., age 14, b. Apr 1876 in Oregon, and Vern W., age 7, b. Apr 1893 in Oregon. Also enumerated as a servant with the family is Will F. McAdams,. age 26, single, occupation farm laborer, b. Mar 1874 in Oregon.

BIOGRAPHICAL:
(Source - "Airlie History", Historically Speaking, Vol X, pgs 2-3. Compiled by Jim and Nita Wilson for PCSH April 11, 1991)
"William Edward Williams was born on the donation land claim [of his father James E. Williams], March 7, 1852 and was educated in the Airlie schools. He assisted his father on the home farm until James E. died. William inherited part of the farm and bought the interests of his siblings. He raised large crops of hay and grain, cattle, sheep and hogs.
On October 7, 1876, William married America Price, who was born on February 7, 1856 at Salt Creek, northwest of Dallas. Five sons were born to them: Marcus Clyde, Wade Hampton, Floyd Alexander, William Edward, and Vern Whitman.
William, Sr. served several years as deputy sheriff of Polk County, and four years as postmaster at Airlie. When advancing age convinced him to take life easier, he leased the farm to his sons, Wade and William, Jr., and opened up a small confectionary store until he fell and broke his hip. He was in the hospital 11 days before he died from pneumonia o February 5, 1939. He was buried in the family cemetery on the Williams farm at Airlie."

BIOGRAPHICAL:
(Source - Hines, Rev. H. K., An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon, Lewis Pub. 1893)
"William E. Williams, of Airlie, Polk Co., Oregon, is the youngest son of James E. Williams, an honored pioneer of 1845. Mr. Williams as the honor of being the owner of 640 acres of land, on which his father settled in 1845, and on which he was born March 7, 1852. He is a fine looking gentleman, with bright dark eyes, weighs 275 pounds, but is very active. He can run and jump on a horse without touching him. Mr. Williams is one of the representative sons of Oregon, and one of whom his State has no reason to be ashamed.
Mr. Williams tells the following story in connection with the early settlement of his father in Oregon: Mr. Williams, Sr., brought his wife and seven children with him to Oregon, and the first night they were in Polk county they camped on the banks of the Luckamutte. During the night there was a severe storm and the river rose. Of course the camp was flooded and they were obliged to clamber out in the darkness and move their tent to higher ground. They were used to being wet and cold, but this seemed a little worse than any other wetting they had been subject to during their long trip. Mr. Williams, Sr., selected a donation claim, and by steady, hard work, succeeded in making a success of his life in Oregon. He was very important in the politics of the Territory, being elected to the Territorial Legislature and having held several county offices. He died in 1865, aged sixty-two, and his good wife died in 1885, aged seventy-five.
The subject of this sketch was thirteen years old at the time of his father’s death. He was reared on the farm, attended the public schools and remained with his mother became her right-hand man in running the farm, until her death. He inherited fifty-three acres of his father’s land, and with his mother’s aid he added to it from time to time and bought the interest of the other heirs, and at his mother’s death became the owner of the entire property. One of the finest claims of this rich valley. Mr. Williams is a member of I.O.O.F., and in politics he is a staunch Democrat. He devotes the whole of his attention to his farm. He resides contentedly on his farm, where he has spent all his life.
Mr. Williams was married October 7, 1876, to Miss America A. Price, daughter of F.R. Price and Gilla (Simpson) Price. She was born in Polk county, February 7, 1856. Her father was a native of Virginia and her mother of Missouri, and they were Oregon pioneers of 1846. They were Baptists in religion and were worthy people, who died in 1873 and February 14, 1890, respectively. Six of their children are still living and are respectable, well-to-do farmers of Polk county. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have had four children, all sons, namely: Marcus Clyde, Wayde Hampton; Floyd Alexander, and William E. Jr.
Mr. Williams is a pleasant, hospitable gentleman. His early boyhood home was the home of all the itinerant preachers, those of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, in particular, as his father was of that faith, but from that door none were turned away, and his son is just as hospitable."

BIOGRAPHICAL (Source - Portrait and Biographical Record of the Willamette Valley, pp 818-819 ):
WILLIAM EDWARD WILLIAMS. One need look no further than William Edward Williams, of near Airlie, Polk county for the typical agriculturist of the northwest breezy and inspiring of manner, large and rugged of physique, shrewd, large-hearted and thoroughly progressive. One ought also to say genial and companionable, for these enviable traits have been predominating ones in the life of this honorable native son, and have won and retained a host of friends. Born on the farm upon which he now lives, March 7, 1852, he represents one of the prominent early families of the state, his father, James E., having arrived here in 1845.
James E. Williams was born near Nashville,Tenn., in 1803, and in his native state married Martha Wicher, who was born in Virginia. Seven children were added to the family in the east, and with these and his wife, Mr. Williams started across the plains in 1845, experiencing on the way an aggregation of adventures of a more or less novel and dangerous nature. However, glad as they were to reach Polk county, after the wearisome journey, they were destined for still further discomfort, for the first night of their arrival, while camping on the banks of the Luckiamute a severe storm caused the river to rise, and in the darkness they were obliged to seek a camp higher up on the bank, a very wet and most disgusted little band of home-seekers. Mr. Williams took up a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres of land, and though at the time he had little in the world save energy and physical strength, he soon managed to make a comfortable home for himself and family in the wilderness. For many years they lived in a log house, but this was afterward replaced by a more modern structure, and barns and general improvements added as time went on. A very broad-minded and public-spirited man, he took an active part in the political undertakings of the territory, and served two terms in the territorial legislature. He also helped to form the state laws, and all forward movements for his neighborhood received not only his sanction but practical support. His death occurred in 1865, at the age of sixty-two, while his wife, who shared his joys and sorrows, and helped to bring about his success, survived him until 1888, dying at the age of seventy-five. This pioneer couple were very popular in their county, and their home was the center of much early hospitality. Both were members and active workers in the Southern Methodist Church, and the itinerant preachers who chanced that way were always sure of a warm welcome as long as they desired to remain under the Williams roof.
In an atmosphere of industry, thrift and goodness, William Edward developed into a useful and high-minded lad, and at the age of thirteen was more matured than most lads of that age. This was fortunate, for his father died at this time, and it was necessary for him to be of use to his mother, whose older children, numbering six sons and five daughters, had many of them gone to manage homes of their own. On attaining his majority he received his share of the property, which was only fifty-three acres, but he was not dismayed, for he had worked hard during his minority, and had saved considerable money. In time he bought out the other heirs and, became sole owner of the large property, to the improvement of which he has unceasingly devoted himself, and out of which he has made a fine living for those dependent on him for support, In 1894 he built a modern two-story rural residence, one of the best in the county, and here is maintained, that spirit of hospitality and good fellowship for which his parents established a precedent in the pioneer days. Mrs. Williams was formerly America Price, a native of Polk county, Ore., and whose father, Larkin Price, crossed the plains in 1849, locating on a claim in Polk county, consisting of six hundred and forty acres. Mr. Price accumulated a competence in the west, and at the time of his death was a very well-to-do member of the community. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Williams, of whom Marcus Clyde lives in Independence, Ore.; Wade Hampton is living on the home farm; Floyd A. is attending the Oregon Agricultural College at Corvallis; and is in the junior year; W. E. is on the home farm; and Vern Whitman is also living with her parents.
To enumerate the many public services rendered by Mr. Williams in his capacity of broadminded, and progressive citizen were to follow the footsteps of a very discerning and practical philanthropist. He has helped to bring within the range of the farmer many of the conveniences hitherto enjoyed only by town folk, among them being the rural mail route No. 1. Twenty-three miles long; and the Luckiamute Rural Telephone Company, of which he is a stockholder and director. He is also a stockholder in the Independence National Bank. A Democrat in political affiliation, Mr. Williams has held the position of deputy sheriff of Polk county for the past eight years, and has, been a member of the school board for four years. The church to which his father gave his earnest support for so many years finds favor with the son, who is a most generous contributor towards its maintenance and charities. 
DEATH CERTIFICATE: 
OSBH DC (Marion County 1939) #97 - William Edward Williams, widowed (America Ann Williams), b. 7 Mar 1852 in Airlie, Oregon, d. 5 Feb 1939 in Salem, Oregon at the age of 86 yrs 11 ms, name of father James E. Williams (b. Tennessee), maiden name of mother Martha Wittcher (b. Virginia), interment 8 Feb, undertaker Walter L. Smith.
OBITUARY: 
William Edward Williams was born on his father’s donation land claim in the vicinity of Airlie March 7, 1852 and was the son of James E. and Martha Williams who crossed the plains from Tennessee in 1845. Mr. Williams secured his education in the district school and spent his entire life on the home farm. In 1876 he married Miss America Price, the daughter of Larkin and Gillie Price, both pioneers. 
Mr. Williams, locally known as “Uncle Bill,” died Sunday, February 5. He was in his 86th year and suffered from dropsy but a recent fall in which he broke his hip was the direct cause of his death. 
Mrs. Williams died December 14, 1908. To them were born five children of whom four survive. They are Marcus Clyde of Independence, Wade H. and William E. Jr on the home place, and Vern W. Williams of Portland. 
One of his sons, Floyd, who worked for the Standard Oil Company, died five years ago and was buried in England. Funeral services were held from the Smith-Baun mortuary in Independence on Wednesday, February 8, at 2:00 p.m. Burial was in the cemetery on the home place where he was born and always made his home. 
Monmouth Herald 9 Feb 1939, 8:2
INSCRIPTION: 
W.E. Williams
Mar. 7, 1852
Feb. 5, 1939
SOURCES: 
Branigar Survey
Saucy Survey & Photographs
OSBH DC (Marion County 1939) #97
1880 OR CENSUS (Polk Co., Buena Vista & Luckiamute, ED 107, pg 18B)
1900 OR CENSUS (Polk Co., Luckiamute, ED 176, pg 85A)
Historically Speaking, Vol X, pgs 2-3
PBR, Oregon, pp 818-819
MH 9 Feb 1939, 8:2
CONTACTS: 
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