Biographical Sketch of

John Williams

Transcribed by Joan Benner for the Marquette Co WI Pages



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 349 - 350
 
John Williams, now deceased, was among the pioneer settlers of Green Lake 
County. He was born in Wales, in April, 1794, and in that community the 
days of his boyhood and youth were passed. On attaining his majority he 
married Guenn Griffiths, who was a native of the same county in which her 
husband was born. They were the parents of nine children, but several 
died previous to the emigration of the family to the new world. William 
died at the age of fourteen years; Laura died in infancy; the third child,
also named Laura, became the wife of William Carter, one of the early 
settlers of this county who died in 1867; Hugh died in Wales when an 
infant; Hugh the second of that name is now a contractor and builder in 
Chicago; Griffith J. makes his home in this county and is represented 
elsewhere in this volume; Richard is a resident of Green Lake county; 
William is now superintendent of a large mine owned by a New York company 
and has his headquarters at Sunshine, Colo.; Jane, the youngest, is 
deceased.

In the early spring of 1849, Mr. Williams, accompanied by his family left 
his native land and sailed for America. On reaching New York, he went by 
canal to Buffalo and thence by steamer to Milwaukee. Two months had 
elapsed from the time when he embarked until he reached his destination. 
He first located on section 28 in the town of Manchester, where he 
purchased 224 acres of wild land. Not a furrow had been turned or an 
improvement made. He at once erected a log cabin, which was known as the 
"castle" as it was the highest building in the state at that time. He 
then devoted his entire energies to the development of a farm and in the 
course of time the broad acres paid a golden tribute to his care and 
cultivation. he made many excellent improvements, erected all the 
necessary buildings and in a few short years had a comfortable house for 
himself and family. He continued to engage in farming until his death, 
which occurred in 1874. He survived his wife about fourteen years, she 
having been called home in 1860, aged 65 years. Mr. Williams was ever 
ready to support the interests of the community which tended to promote 
the general welfare and the cause of education found in him a warm 
friend. He was an earnest Christian gentleman, a member of the Calvanistic
church and was respected by all who knew him.






Back to the Marquette Pages Menu