Biographical Sketch of Andrew J. WILLIAMS (1893); Chester County, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by John Morris . *********************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: Printing this file within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** Source: "Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chester County, Pennsyl- vania, comprising a historical sketch of the county," by Samuel T. Wiley and edited by Winfield Scott Garner, Gresham Publishing Company, Phila- delphia, PA, 1893, pp. 282-3. "ANDREW J. WILLIAMS, general manager for the Parkesburg Iron Company, and a successful business man who has done much for the upbuilding of his town and county, and the development of the industrial interests of this sec- tion, is a son of David D. and Esther (Way) Williams, and was born in West Caln township, Chester county, Pennsylvania, April 16, 1840. His paternal grandfather, Andrew Williams, was a native of Scotland, where he married and from whence he came with his wife to the United States about 1800, and settled in Baltimore, Maryland, where they resided only a short time be- fore removing to Chester county, Pennsylvania. He was a tailor by trade, and engaged in that occupation for many years near Fagg's Manor, this county, where he died in 1855, at an advanced age. During the war of 1812 he served as a soldier in the American army, was a democrat in politics, and a member of the United Presbyterian church. "His son, David D. Williams (father) was a native of this county, born near Fagg's Manor in 1809, and reared and educated at that place. After attaining manhood he married Esther Way, and became a prosperous farmer of West Caln township, this county, where he lived until his death in 1849, at the early age of forty years. Like his father he was a democrat and a member of the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Williams was born near Cochran- ville, this county, was a member of the Presbyterian church, and died in 1843. "Andrew J. Williams was left an orphan when only three years old, and was reared on a farm in West Caln township until he had attained his eight- eenth year. He attended the public schools in boyhood, and later took a course of instruction in the academy at New Bloomfield, Perry county, fin- ishing by two terms at the Coatesville academy. After leaving school he engaged in teaching for nearly three years, and in 1863 entered the em- ploy of the Hibernia Iron Works in West Caln township as a clerk, where he remained until 1872. In that year he came to Parkesburg as superintendent of the iron works here, and since 1882 has occupied the position of gener- al manager of the Parkesburg Iron Company in which he is a stockholder and director. This extensive industrial concern was established in 1873, and in 1882 was incorporated and the present organization effected. The prod- uct consists principally of tube skelp, which is iron used for boiler tubes, and the output is about ten thousand tons every year. The mills are fitted up with improved appliances, railroad switches pass through the yards, incandescent lights are used, telephonic connection is had, and an average force of two hundred and fifty workmen are employed. The product of these works is known as of a superior order, and is much sought after by consumers all over the county. Mr. Williams is also a stockholder in the Parkesburg Water Company and the Coatesville Opera House Company, and is treasurer of the Parkesburg Building and Loan association. "In January, 1879, Mr. Williams was married to Sarah L. Wilson, a daughter of Oliver P. Wilson, of Sadsbury township, this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Williams have been born one son and two daughters: Ellen B., Augusta H., and Horace A. "Politically Mr. Williams is an ardent republican, always giving his party a loyal and active support, and has served as a member of the borough council. He is a member of Coatesville Lodge, No. 564, Free and Accepted Masons; and of the Parkesburg Beneficial association, of which latter he is now vice president. In 1863 he enlisted at Coatesville in an indepen- dent cavalry company, called the Continental troop, and was sworn into the service of the United States, but never assigned to any regiment. They served for two or three months as a body guard for Gen. Baldy Smith. Mr. Williams is treasurer of the Episcopal church of Parkesburg."