Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County,
Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of
prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with
portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States,
and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890;
page 355; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Isaac N. Williams. The visitor in Lee Township would not long be
in ignorance of the name and character of the gentleman above named,
who is numbered among her agriculturists, his home being on section 27.
He is one of six children born to John and Nancy (Smalley) Williams,
her parents having been natives of Adams County, Ohio. Thence they
removed to Winnebago County, this State, residing there for a decade
and then locating in Harris Township, this county. Here the father
passed away in 1870, the mother surviving until 1872. All their
children are living except the youngest son.
The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch was born in
Winnebago County, July 12, 1840. He pursued his studies in the district
schools, supplementing the knowledge there obtained by one term at the
Bushnell High School. The attempts made against the Union aroused in
him a desire to battle for his country, and in 1862, he enlisted in
Company C, Fifty-fifth Illinois Infantry. His brother Andrew was one of
the gallant sixty thousand who marched with Sherman to the sea and bore
his part in the principal battles of that world-famed event. He
remained with his comrades until the close of the war, receiving his
discharge in May, 1865, and returning to his father's home with an
honorable record.
Mr. Williams continued to make his home with his parents until
his marriage, in the fall of 1870, when he established himself on the
farm he still occupies. His estate now consists of two hundred and
eighty-seven acres of excellent land, all under cultivation and well
improved. Its present condition is due to the efforts of our subject,
who has had a two-story house of convenient arrangement and homelike
appearance erected, together with a barn and other outbuildings such as
he finds useful. The place is well stocked with domestic animals and
machinery, and general farmwork is carried on successfully.
On September 25, 1870, the rites of wedlock were celebrated
between our subject and Sarah, daughter of Daniel and Orilla (Wells)
Gantz. Mrs. Williams was born in Brown County, this State, April 2,
1850, and is the youngest and only living child of her parents. She had
two sisters and one brother. Her parents were born in Ohio and removed
thence to Brown County where both died about 1869. Mrs. Williams is a
lady of intelligence, domestic acquirements and excellent character,
having many warm friends and being deeply loved by the members of her
family. She has borne her husband two sons and two daughters - Budgie,
Mary, Grace and Floyd.
Mr. and Mrs. Williams and their two oldest children belong to
the Good Templars Order and Mr. Williams is Lodge Deputy. The
particular society with which they are identified is Check Row Lodge of
Lee Township, which numbers about one hundred and fifteen members and
occupies a pleasant hall, 30x40 feet, which is the only hall known to
have been built in the country by and especially for a lodge. Mr.
Williams was reared as a Democrat but now votes the temperance ticket
on all occasions and works earnestly for the advancement of the
Prohibition party. He has held the township offices of Supervisor,
Collector and Assessor. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church,
is Steward thereof and Superintendent of the Sunday-school.
