Bartholomew County IN Archives Biographies.....Williams, J. M. 1854 - 
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Author: B. F. Bowen (1904)

J. M. WILLIAMS.

   J. M. Williams, who is one of the extensive landowners and successful
citizens of Bartholomew county, now living in Columbus, was born in Clifty
township January 14, 1854, and is a representative of one of the old pioneer
families of the locality. His paternal grandfather, Samuel Williams, was born in
Virginia in the year 1801 and was a farmer by occupation. Emigrating westward,
he took up his abode in Indiana, where he spent his remaining days, devoting his
energies to agricultural pursuits. He died in Hartsville in 1882, when about
eighty-one years of age. His wife, who was born in Virginia in 1807, has also
passed away. It was their son Levi who became the father of the subject. He was
born in Jackson township, Decatur county, Indiana, on the 11th of October, 1827,
was reared to the occupation of farming and throughout his entire life followed
that vocation, becoming one of the most prosperous and prominent agriculturists
of this part of the state. He was married in early manhood to Miss Nancy Bowman,
whose birth occurred in Scott county, New Jersey, in 1828. They removed to
Bartholomew county, Indiana, about two years after marriage. They became the
parents of two children, but the daughter, Margaret J., who was born on the 1st
of March, 1852, died January 31, 1866, when in her fourteenth year. Mr.
Williams, the father, carried on general farming, engaging in both the tilling
of the soil and the raising of stock. He prospered in his undertakings and as
his son grew to years of maturity he admitted him to a partnership in the
business. Together they became the owners of seven hundred and sixty acres of
rich land in Rock Creek and Clifty townships, the greater part of which was
under cultivation and yielded a splendid return for the care and labor bestowed
upon the fields. The father was a Republican in his political views and was
active in the work of the party, for he believed that its platform contained the
best elements of good government. He belonged to the Baptist church, served as
one of its trustees and did everything in his power to extend its influence and
to accomplish its mission. His life was molded by his Christian faith and he was
widely known as an honorable man as well as a successful farmer, so that at his
death, which occurred in 1896, the community felt that it had lost a valued
citizen.

   Reared under the parental roof, J. M. Williams was educated in the public
schools and has always associated with his father in the business from the time
he was old enough to assist him in the work of the fields or the labors of the
farm in any way. As he grew in age and experience greater responsibilities were
entrusted, to him and eventually he became his father's partner and colaborer.
He is today the owner of six hundred and forty-one acres of rich land, nearly
all of which is under a splendid state of cultivation, while the remainder is
covered with good timber. In connection with general farming he has engaged in
trading in mules. He buys, feeds and sells mules, having as high as seventy-five
head upon his farm at one time, and in this way he has added materially to his
income, his sales proving very, profitable. He also raises shorthorn cattle and
Poland China hogs, and he feeds his farm produce to his stock. He is very
progressive in his farming methods and has a finely equipped farm, supplied with
large barns and sheds for the care of his stock and the shelter of his grain.

   On the 22d of October, 1885, Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Miss Ora
Hinds, a daughter of William and Mary (Gant) Hinds, both of whom are natives of
Franklin county, Indiana, the former born on the 4th of January, 1841, and the
latter in July, of the same year, her birthplace being near Brickville. Mr.
Hinds is a farmer by occupation and is now living in Jennings county, where he
owns and operates a good tract of land. Unto him and his wife have been born
seven children: Ora, the wife of the subject: Dennia, now deceased; David G.,
who married Kittie Little and is engaged in farming; Zella, the deceased wife of
J. F. Blocker, a Baptist minister, who was formerly a teacher in the high school
of Columbus; Minnie, the wife of Eli Pike, a farmer; Fred, who is deceased;
Jessie, the wife of a Mr. Blocker. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Williams have been born
three children: Alta, who was born August 25, 1885; Roscoe, whose birth occurred
February 18, 1888, and Alma, who was born October 9, 1890. All are now attending
school.

   In September, 1898, Mr. Wiliams purchased a home on Hutchins avenue in
Columbus and the family removed to the city that the children might have the
advantages of the city schools. From this place he superintends his farming
interests, which are extensive and important, he being one of the leading and
enterprising agriculturists and stock raisers of the county. He belongs to the
Baptist church and to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He votes with
the Republican party, takes an active interest in politics, and in 1900 he was
elected a member of the city council of Columbus. During his incumbency in the
office he exercised his official prerogatives in support of every measure which
he believed would contribute to the public good and the permanent improvement of
the city. He has traveled to a considerable extent, thus broadening his
knowledge, and he is today a well informed man, keeping in touch with advanced
thought and with the progress of the world. In business affairs he has displayed
keen discernment and a quick understanding of situations leading to success or
affording opportunity for accomplishment.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from

BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY
INDIANA

INCLUDING BIOGRAPHIES OF THE GOVERNORS AND OTHER REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS OF INDIANA

ILLUSTRATED

1904

B. F. Bowen PUBLISHER


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