History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade and Barton Counties, MO
Cedar County Biography Section

     William R. Williams is the second of seven children born 
to Larkin and Catherine (Koontz) Williams, and is a grandson 
of Samuel and Nancy Williams, who died in Illinois.  Larkin 
Williams came from Tennessee to Polk County, Mo., in 1836, of
which he was one of the early settlers, and owing to the 
newness of the country, suffered many privations and hardships
while endeavoring to make a home for his family.  He was a 
prominent citizen of the county, and died in 1882, at the age 
of seventy-five years.  His wife was of Dutch descent, born in
1806, and died on the 17th of January, 1889.  William R. 
Williams was born in Knox County, Tenn., December 2, 1832, and
until twenty-one years of age remained with his parents, 
receiving his  education in the public schools of Polk County.
In 1854 he married Miss Elizabeth Boswell, who was born in 
Henderson County, Tenn., in January, 1836, her parents being 
Matthew and Edit Boswell, who came to St. Clair County, Mo., 
from North Carolina, in 1837, and died in 1852 and 1854, 
respectively.  Mrs. And Mrs. Williams have twelve children: 
Larkin M., Minerva C., Susan A., L. G. W. and T. W. C. (twins),
Elijah B., Leander Y., Samuel S., Charlotte E., Lorinda A., 
James C. and Lillie D.  Since 1854 Mr. Williams has been a 
resident of Cedar County, Mo., where he owns 312 acres of 
valuable land, with about 180 acres under cultivation.  In 
February, 1863, he enlisted in Capt. Simmons' company of 
Missouri State Militia, and was in the united States service 
twenty months, besides being in the State Militia.  He is a 
Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for James 
Buchanan.  He has served as justice of his township, and he 
and wife are members of the Predestinarian Baptist Church.  
Mr. Williams' paternal great-grandfather lived to be 106 years
old, and had a good set of teeth (his third) when he died.  
The maternal grandparent came across the ocean, the grandmother
being a Rhymer before she was married.  

History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade and Barton Counties,
Missouri, published by Goodspeed, 1889--Pages 787, 789
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