Wasco County OR Archives Biographies.....Williams, Edward Marshall September 19, 1866 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/or/orfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Ila Wakley iwakley@msn.com January 11, 2011, 8:25 pm Source: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. III, Published 1928, Pages 622 - 625 Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company EDWARD MARSHALL WILLIAMS. A member of a pioneer family that was established in Oregon more than three-quarters of a century ago, Edward Marshall Williams typifies the progressive spirit of the west and has made his efforts count as a resultant factor in the development of this region. He is a dominant personality in mercantile circles of The Dalles and successfully conducts a business with a record of over fifty years of continuous operation in this city, which numbers him among its loyal sons. He was born September 19, 1866. His father, Griffith E. Williams, was a native of Wales, when a boy was apprenticed to a carpenter and about 1850 came with the family to the United States. Two years were spent in Wisconsin and in 1852, when a youth of seventeen, he made the overland journey to Oregon with an emigrant train, driving a herd of cattle the entire distance. In the fall of 1852 he arrived in Oregon City and was there employed as a carpenter for a time. He then went to the gold fields near Yreka, California, where he followed his trade for a number of years, and received high wages. In 1862 he returned to Oregon, locating at The Dalles, and was made a foreman in the shops of the Oregon Steamship & Navigation Company, which was then building the first railroad in the state. It was in 1876 that he joined E. Wingate in the hardware, implement and grocery business at The Dalles and later they added a stock of dry goods. Mr. Wingate conducted the store and Griffith E. Williams retained his position with the Oregon Steamship & Navigation Company, remaining a silent partner in the firm until the death of Mr. Wingate about 1882. Mr. Williams then resigned his position and took over the active management of the store, conducting it successfully during his remaining years. His wife, Anna (Marshall) Williams, was born in London, England, and her father was a machinist. After his death the family sailed for the United States and in the early days made the journey across the plains. In Oregon City she was reared and educated and there married Griffith E. Williams, coming with him to The Dalles in 1862. His demise occurred in 1886 and in 1920 she was called to her final rest. Their family numbered ten children: Mrs. Jeannette Dunn, who lives in Seattle, Washington; Edward Marshall; Griffith, deceased; Mrs. May Sewall, of Portland, Oregon; Grace, who has passed away; Mrs. Annie French, whose home is in San Francisco, California; Pearl E., who is the wife of Dr. George A. Marshall, of Portland, Oregon; Carlton P., who is manager of the men's department in the Williams store at The Dalles; Robert A., a resident of San Diego, California; and Mrs. Florence Jones, of Seattle, Washington. Edward M. Williams was a pupil in the public schools of The Dalles and the old Wasco Academy of that city. At the age of sixteen he went to work in the warehouse of the firm of Wingate & Williams, handling machinery and heavy freight, and gradually mastered the details of the business. He was eager to advance and his savings were used to defray the expenses of a course at the Armstrong Business College of Portland in 1886. Returning to The Dalles, he resumed his work in the Wingate & Williams store, which was taken over by the family in 1888, and at that time the name was changed to the present form of the A. M. Williams Company. A Mr. Sparks acted as manager until 1891, when Edward M. Williams became the executive head of the firm and has since controlled its activities. The wisdom of the policy which he follows is denoted by the growth of the business, which has kept pace with the development of The Dalles and the surrounding district. In step with the progressive spirit of the times, Mr. Williams has made his store a center of service, essential to the life of the community, and the firm name has become synonymous with enterprise and reliability in mercantile affairs. This is the oldest commercial establishment in The Dalles and for fifty-two years the business has been continuously in the Williams family. The sale of hardware and groceries has been discontinued and the company now handles dry goods exclusively, carrying a full line of furnishings for men and women, shoes, notions, etc. Managed on a highly efficient basis, this is classed with the finest department stores in eastern Oregon and has become one of the chief assets of the city in which it is operated. In other connections Mr. Williams has also manifested his administrative power and is president of the Walther- Williams Hardware & Implement Company, which likewise has the local agency for the Dodge cars and operates two service stations in The Dalles. In 1899 Mr. Williams married Miss Elizabeth Sampson, who was born in Marshfield, Massachusetts. Her parents were Frank T. and Isabel Christie (Livingstone) Sampson, the former also a native of Marshfield, while the latter was born in Frederickstown, in the province of New Brunswick, Canada. The family came to Oregon in 1883 and located at The Dalles. For a few years Mr. Sampson was employed as a carpenter by the Oregon Railroad & Navigation Company and afterward became superintendent of the Warmsprings Indian school, of which he had charge for ten years. On the expiration of that period he returned to The Dalles and was a salesman in A. M. Williams store until his death. He is survived by Mrs. Sampson, who still makes her home at The Dalles. She is the mother of five daughters: Mrs. Edward M. Williams, Mrs. J. W. Condon, Mrs. Oliver R. Krier, Mrs. F. W. Sims and Miss Margaret L. Sampson, all of whom are residents of The Dalles. To Mr. and Mrs. Williams were born four children, the youngest of whom died in infancy. Florence Elizabeth, the eldest, was graduated from the Annie Wright Seminary at Tacoma, Washington, and received the degree of Bachelor of Arts from Mount Vernon College at Washington, D. C. Afterward she took a special course in kindergarten work at Los Angeles, California, and is now engaged in teaching school at Annie Wright Seminary. The other children are: Ruth, who is attending the Annie Wright Seminary; and Edward Donald, a grammar school pupil. As a councilman Mr. Williams worked for the best interests of The Dalles and is always ready to serve his community to the extent of his ability. He is one of the energetic members of the Chamber of Commerce and also belongs to the Kiwanis Club, the local Golf & Country Club and the Elks lodge. For recreation he turns tc agricultural pursuits and owns a valuable fruit farm near The Dalles. He specializes in the growing of Royal Anne cherries and at one time had a seven-acre almond grove, but most of the trees were winter killed. A lifelong resident of The Dalles he is deeply attached to his city and state and his conversation spans the past in interesting reminiscences. He recalls the days of his boyhood and the delights of fishing swimming and boating on the Columbia. The life which he led was a healthful one and developed the strength, courage and self-reliance for which the men of eastern Oregon are noted. A tireless worker, Mr. Williams has made his efforts count for the utmost and possesses those qualities which command respect and inspire highland enduring regard. Photo: http://www.usgwarchives.net/or/wasco/photos/bios/williams1314gbs.jpg File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/or/wasco/bios/williams1314gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/orfiles/ File size: 8.1 Kb