William W. Williams

W. W. WILLIAMS, deputy sheriff of Clarke County, was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, May 15, 1842. His parents, James and Sarah (Wilson) Williams, were also natives of Ohio. When he was four years of age his mother died. He remained with his father until he was thirteen years old; then came to Clarke County with Garner Hunt, with whom he lived until the outbreak of the civil war.  He then enlisted in Company I, Fifteenth Regiment, Iowa Infantry, which belonged to the Army of the Tennessee. His first engagement was at the battle of Shiloh. In the early part of the battle he had command of a squad of sixteen men, who carried ammunition from the boat. He lost six of the sixteen men. He participated in the battles of Atlanta, Corning, and the siege of Vicksburg. Just before the battle of Atlanta he was promoted to Second Lieutenant. He had charge of thirty-seven men, and came out with seven. He was in the famous march to the sea, and was then ordered to Washington for the grand review. Here Mr. Williams took command of his company, and was then ordered to Louisville, Kentucky, thence to Chicago, thence to Davenport, where he was mustered out in June, 1865, having served three years and seven months.  He then returned to Osceola. In 1864 he married Miss Eliza McDonald, of Keokuk, Iowa, and a native of Virginia. After his return from the war he engaged in agricultural pursuits two years, then came to Osceola and started a livery, with J.M. Ball as partner, which business he followed for eight years. After this he was appointed deputy sheriff, under J. M. Ballou, serving in this capacity four years. He was then appointed Government storekeeper, at Atlantic, Iowa, and remained there until the office was abolished. In 1883 he was again appointed deputy sheriff, under E. E. Rankin, and upon the election of J. C. Bonar, was re-appointed.  Mr. and Mrs. Williams have three daughters – Della, wife of Edwin Sperry, Sophronia, and Nellie May. Mr. Williams belongs to the Knights of Pythias. He served as vice-president of the Clarke County Agricultural Society.

SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Record of Clarke County, Iowa, Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1886 p. 406