Carroll County IN Archives Biographies.....Williamson, John W. 
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Author: John C. Odell (1916)

JOHN W. WILLIAMSON.

   The late John W. Williamson was widely known in Carroll county and was one of
the honored citizens and farmers of the county at the time of his death, May 11,
1915. His well-directed efforts in the practical affairs of life, the capable
management of his own business and his sound judgment won for him a large
measure of success and, at his death, he owned a magnificent farm in Rock Creek
township, comprising two hundred and seventy-two acres of land. His life ably
demonstrates what may be accomplished by a man of sufficient ambition and
foresight. In all of the relations of life, he commanded the confidence and
respect of his fellows and died full of honor, a worthy man and a worthy citizen.

   The late John W. Williamson, the son of Joseph Williamson, was born in
Carroll county, Indiana, on the old Williamson farm, on the north end of the
place he owned at the time of his death. His father was a native of the country
near Wolf creek, Ohio, but the family were very early settlers in Carroll
county, settling here in 1829.

   Mr. Williamson grew up on the old homestead farm in Carroll county and,
during his youth and young manhood, passed through the experiences which fall to
the lot of the average country boy reared in a pioneer community.

   On May 19, 1863, Mr. Williamson was married to Maria Munson, who was born on
February 14, 1840, in Rock Creek township, Carroll county, Indiana, the daughter
of Clinton and Martha (Berkshire) Munson. Mrs. Williamson's father was a native
of Genesee county, New York, and the son of Simeon Munson. The Munson family had
come to America in the "Mayflower," one Capt. Thomas Munson, who was a member of
the party which made up the pilgrim fathers, being the ancestors of the Munsons
of Carroll county. Until comparatively recent times, the Munson family lived
principally in New York state and the East. Clinton Munson grew up in New York
state and, when he was a young man, came to Ohio with his mother and later went
with her to Michigan. It was in Ohio that Simeon Munson was killed,
accidentally, at a house raising. His widow died in Ingram county, Michigan,
some years later. From Michigan, the family branched out, the members going in
different directions. Three of Clinton Munson's brothers helped to build the
first locks in the Wabash & Erie canal. Subsequently, Clinton Munson came to
Carroll county, where he was married to Martha Berkshire, the daughter of
Charles Berkshire, an early settler in Carroll county, who had come here from
near Albany, Indiana. The earlier ancestors of the Berkshire family had come
from England. Clinton Munson and Martha Berkshire were married in Carroll
county. For a number of years he was a pioneer school teacher. When Mrs. John W.
Williamson was a child of twelve years, her father followed the gold rush to
California in 1852 and died there of typhus fever. His wife had died just before
he started for California. They were the parents of six children, four of whom
are now living, Mrs. John W. Williamson; Criscilla, the widow of Jacob Van Lue;
Johanna, who lives near Sprague, Washington, and Lois, the wife of Edward
Wharton, of Chicago. The deceased children are, Charles, who died in the service
of his country during the Civil War, and Ruth, the wife of Joseph Armstrong.
After her parents' death, Mrs. Williamson lived with an aunt until her marriage
in 1863.

   After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Williamson moved to the old Williamson
place and lived with Mr. Williamson's father until they built the house in which
Mrs. Williamson now lives. They were the parents of two children, Martha, the
widow of John C. Kesseler, of New Castle, Indiana, and an infant who is
deceased. Martha has one son, Williamson Dwight Kesseler, a graduate of the New
Castle high school and who is now employed at Jackson, Michigan.

   The late John W. Williamson was an elder and deacon in the Presbyterian
church at Rock Creek for a great many years, and was identified with the
Democratic party. Mrs. Williamson still retains her interest in religious work
and today is known as one of the well-informed, refined and charitable women of
Rock Creek township.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Biographical Section of
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY INDIANA

ITS PEOPLE, INDUSTRIES AND INSTITUTIONS
BY
JOHN C ODELL
With Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and
Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families

ILLUSTRATED
1916
B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY, Inc.
Indianapolis, Indiana


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