Polk County IA Archives Biographies.....Williams, John Jackson 1834 - 
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 November 29, 2011, 6:16 pm

Source: See below
Author: Lewis Publishing Co. (1896)

JOHN JACKSON WILLIAMS, through his extensive real-estate interests, has been
prominently connected with the upbuilding of Des Moines. He has been an
important factor in the development of the city, and its progress has been
materially advanced through his well directed efforts. His career illustrates
most forcibly that success is assured to these young men who possess the
necessary qualifications, such as-ambition, indefatigable energy, steadfastness
of purpose and integrity. For nearly forty years he has been connected with the
history of Iowa's capital and has seen Des Moines develop from a rude Western
town, containing a few log cabins and fewer frame houses, to a city that would
be a credit to the long established States of the East.

   Mr. Williams is a native of Ohio, born near Smithfield, in Jefferson county,
May 14, 1834, and is the only child of Alexander and Mary (Jackson) Williams.
His father was born on the Emerald Isle, July 3, 1806, and was a son of Joseph
Williams. His grandfather was a Welshman by birth, and removing to the north of
Ireland was there married and reared a family. Joseph Williams, having arrived
at years of maturity, was married and with his family crossed the Atlantic to
the New World in 1808, taking up his residence in Pennsylvania. Four years later
he enlisted for service in the war of 1812, as a defender of his adopted
country, and in 1820 he became a resident of the Buckeye State, where he lived
for many years, his death occurring at the advanced age of eighty-one.

   Alexander Williams lost his mother when twelve years of age, but his father
was again married, and his stepmother bestowed upon him all the care and
attention which his own parents could have given, and he continued at home until
twenty-three years of age. He then began to learn the trade of a millwright, and
in 1832 became the owner of a small flour mill in Jefferson county, Ohio, which
he operated for six years, when he sold, preparatory to removing to Gallia
county, that State. He was there extensively engaged in milling, carrying on
operations in that line for seventeen years in connection with the cultivation
of the farm.

   Desiring to see the West he made the trip through central Iowa, in 1856, and
was delighted with the beautiful Des Moines valley and the surroundings and
prospects of the city of that name, so invested to a considerable extent in real
estate. He continued his residence in Ohio, however, until 1859, when he
purchased the water power and a dilapidated mill on the river and became a
permanent resident of this place. With the aid of his son John he rebuilt much
of the dam across the Des Moines river and erected a flouring-mill at the corner
of First and Center streets in West Des Moines, which they successfully operated
until 1873, when the father retired from business. His remaining years were
spent in the enjoyment of a well-earned rest, and he passed away May 20, 1878.
His support was given to the men and measures of the Republican party from its
organization, and prior to that period he was a Whig. His wife, who was born in
Jefferson county, Ohio, December 17, 1805, of Irish and Scotch descent, was a
consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, and died in that faith January 13,
1862.

   The childhood of John Williams was quietly and uneventfully passed in
attendance at the common schools of the neighborhood or in work on his father's
farm, or in the carding and flour mill. Thus he learned the business. When he
had completed the common-school course he entered an academy and later took up
the study of law. After two years reading he was graduated at the Cincinnati Law
School with the class of 1860, and then entered into partnership with his father
in the milling business, this relation existing between them until the
retirement of the senior partner in 1873:

    Mr. Williams was married on the 25th of September, 1860, in Gallipolis,
Ohio, the lady of his choice being Miss Cornelia M. Cating, who was born June
18, 1842, in Gallia county. She is of Irish and Scotch lineage, and a daughter
of John and Isabella (Rogers) Cating. Her father was a progressive, practical
farmer and was a leading and influential citizen of the community in which he
made his home. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Williams, as
follows: Mary B., Jennie C., Cornelia M., Minnette, Gertrude, who died in
infancy, Ida L., Alice W., John A., who died in infancy, and Alexander.

   In politics, Mr. Williams is a stalwart advocate of Republican principles,
and has three times served as Alderman of Des Moines, taking an active part in
whatever pertains to the welfare of the city. His wife holds a membership in the
Presbyterian Church, and both have many warm friends in the community. For
thirty-six years he has been a resident of Des Moines, and to-day is one of its
most valued and honored citizens and representative business men. He is
extensively engaged in real-estate dealing, handling none but his own property,
and his development of the property has been of inestimable value to Polk county.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

A MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF IOWA

ILLUSTRATED

CHICAGO: THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
1896

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