Biographical Sketch of

William E. 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 362 and 365


William E. Williams, editor and proprietor of the Kingston Spy, was born in
North Wales on the 12th of March 1839, and is a son of John and Elizabeth
(Pierce) Williams, who were also natives of the same country. He was but
eight years of age when the family bade goodby to their old home and
embarked on a sailing vessel for America. After a voyage of several weeks,
they safely reached the shores of the new world, and came direct to
Wisconsin, locating in Racine, where they made their home for about two
years. They then came to Kingston, Green Lake County. Mr. Williams having
purchased land the year previous, in 1846. Turning his attention to
farming, he devoted his energies to that pursuit until his death, which
occurred in this county in 1866. His wife still survives him, and is living
in Kingston. They were parents of thirteen children, twelve of whom are yet
living: William E., Jane, Ellen, Mary, Edward, Elizabeth, David, John, Ann,
Winnie, Owen and Martha.


Since his tenth year William E. Williams has resided in Kingston, and is
prominently identified with much of its upbuilding and progress. He
acquired his education in its public schools, and in this city was united
in marriage with Miss Charlotte Jones, daughter of John O. Jones, one of
the early settlers of Green Lake County. Their union was celebrated in
1861, and unto them have been born six children, four sons and two
daughters: george, Maggie, John, Willie, David and Mary.


Mr. Williams enlisted in the 2nd Wisconsin Cavalry in 1865, joined his
regiment at Memphis, Tenn., and served until the close of the war. now a
member of the G. A. R. Post of Kingston, and holds the office of Senior
Vice-Commander. He established the first paper in Kingston, and in 1881,
became editor and proprietor of the Kingston Spy, which he has since
published. It is a bright journal, full of home and foreign news, and
devoted to the interests of the Democratic party, of which, unlike his
father, Mr. Williams is a staunch supporter. The subscription list is
gradually increasing. The paper well merits a liberal patronage.






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