Lapeer-Washtenaw County MI Archives Biographies.....Williams, Oscar A. 1828 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 14, 2007, 7:40 pm

Author: Chapman Bros. (1892)

OSCAR A. WILLIAMS, Justice of the Peace at Lapeer, Mich., was born in the town
of Murray, Orleans County, N. Y., April 30, 1828. His father, William Williams,
was born in Rutland County, Vt., and the mother whose name was Betsey Brockway,
was of New York birth and her father was the first settler at Brockport for
which the place was named. Our subject traces his family lineage back to Roger
Williams, of Providence, R. I. and his paternal grandmother was born in that
city while his maternal grandfather was a soldier in the War of 1812 and a
pensioner of the Government. He lived to be eighty-two years old and had a land
warrant of which he availed himself to secure property in Lapeer County and his
last resting place is in Augusta, Washtenaw County, where he died.

  The father of our subject left Monroe County, N. Y. and came to Superior
Township, Washtenaw County, this State in 1835, and there carried on
blacksmithing. He had purchased eighty acres of land in Washtenaw County without
seeing it and it proved a good investment. His son Oscar was then seven years of
age and the family lived upon that farm until this boy reached the age of
fifteen, and up to that time the early pioneer schools furnished all the
educational advantages which were granted to him. He was then sent back to New
York to attend the Clarkson Academy where he remained for nearly two years.

  The family in the meantime, had removed to Ypsilanti and upon the return of
Oscar to this State he attended the academy at that place for one year. The
family then removed to Dryden, Lapeer County, and the father erected a steam
saw-mill at Attica and engaged in the lumber business and there the boy worked
from the time he was eighteen until he reached his majority.

  Before building those mills William Williams had purchased pine woods in
Attica and in order to have the mills run successfully he had his son work for
two years in steam sawmills of neighboring towns until he had thoroughly learned
the management of such an establishment, so he was able to take charge of it
when it was ready for him.

  The young man remained in the mills until the spring of 1861 when he enlisted
in the service of his country. He had previously been married but had lost his
wife and only child. After a few months service in the State he was mustered in
as Sergeant of Company G, Seventh Regiment, Michigan Infantry and was promoted
to be Second Lieutenant a few days later.

  Upon the 1st of March of the succeeding year Lieut. Williams received his
commission as First Lieutenant and was raised to the rank of Captain on the 18th
of September. He took part in all of the engagements of the Army of the Potomac
in which his regiment participated, from its organization until the fall of
Richmond and although slightly wounded twice was never disabled. He acted as
recruiting officer during the fall of 1864 and served on the general staff in
his brigade and division as acting Assistant Inspecting General and as Assistant
Adjutant-General for about eight months.

  After being mustered out of service December 24, 1864, the young veteran
returned to Attica and again took charge of the mill. Upon the 18th of November,
1866, he was united in marriage with Miss Mira Tripp, who had been for a number
of years a teacher in the public schools of Lapeer. He continued to make Attica
his home until about five years ago, when the lumber on the land having been
used up he gave his attention to farming. He held the office of School Inspector
for eight years and of Township Clerk for four years. His political education
had been in the line of the Democratic principles and policy and at the breaking
out of the war he was a Douglas Democrat. He still adheres to the principles of
that party.

  The children who now brighten the home of this worthy citizen and his
excellent wife are: Willie B., who was born in Attica, November 1, 1869 and is
now railroading on the Detroit & Bay City Railway; Belle Marie, who was born in
Attica in 1872 and is receiving an excellent education having attended one term
at the Young Ladies Seminary at Alma and now having taught for three terms in
the district schools, is a member of the senior class of the Lapeer High School,
while the youngest, Anna D., was born in Attica and is now a young lady of
seventeen years. Our subject was elected Justice of the Peace in 1885 and is now
serving his second term and his service has been not only one of satisfaction to
himself but of real benefit to the community which he serves.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties,
Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of
the Presidents of the United States

Chicago:
Chapman Bros.
1892


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