Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The Big Bend Country, embracing
Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties, State of Washington",
published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.
OLIVER G. WILLIAMS, a worthy
business man and farmer of Lincoln county, resides about three miles east
from Odessa. He was born in Ohio, on March 7, 1850, the son of Joseph
and Mary E. (Boyd) Williams, natives of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and
Ohio respectively. The father moved to Ohio when a young man and
later to Missouri and became an influential and well-to-do citizen.
He held numerous public offices and was a real American, his ancestors
being leading Pennsylvania people, among the first settlers in the colonies.
Our subject has ascertained through the investigations of Mrs. J. K. Purcell,
that his family dates back to Roger Williams, the famous founder of Rhode
Island. Since then many of the family have been identified with the
Friends sect and Joseph Williams was also a member of that denomination.
Our subject was educated in Ohio and Missouri
and studied in the district schools. In 1868, he crossed the plains
with teams to Salt Lake, where he did a great deal of freighting.
He also made several other trips across the plains in the course of his
labors. In 1870, he returned to Missouri and there lived four years,
when he again took the western fever and this time embarked for California.
He was engaged in various occupations there and finally settled in Modoc
county. It was 1893, when Mr. Williams came to Lincoln county and
as his first venture here was farming, he rented land. Four years
later, in company with T. J. Crowley, he bought land near Odessa and Mohler
and there now owns two sections and farms four sections. He also
has a half interest in a general merchandise establishment at Mohler.
Mr. Williams has demonstrated himself to be a man of sterling energy and
good ability, having made a first class success in both his farm and business
labors. It may also be stated at this time that his entire property
holdings have been accumulated through his own efforts, as he started in
life without any capital whatever.
In 1883, Mr. Williams married Miss Mary F.
Crowley. Her parents were James and Melvina (Gibbins) Crowley, prominent
and well-to-do people of California. To Mr. and Mrs. Williams eight
children have been born, Ona, Ella, Weldon, and Francis, and four deceased.
Mr. Williams is a member of the I. O. O. F.,
and enjoys the best of standing in this community.
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