Mrs. Margaret Williams is the widow of Watkins Williams, who was an influential and prominent pioneer and farmer of Jo Daviess County. She ably assisted her husband in the uphuilding of their pleasant home, and is now spending her declining years surrounded, by every comfort that heart could wish, on the old homestead on section 2, Pleasant Valley Township.

Mrs. Williams was born in Radmonshire, England, in 1816. Her parents, Evan and Margaret (Jones) Davis, were natives and lifelong residents of Brackenshire, England. Our subject was married to Watkins Williams May 5, 1835, in England. Mr. Williams was born May 5, 1806. The following children were born to Mrs. Williams’ parents : Ellen, John, James, Lewis, Mary, Emeline, and Sarah. When our subject lived in Pennsylvania, ten years ago, she used to correspond with her people, but since coming West all correspondence has ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Williams spent ten years of their married life in Pottsville, Pa., and then came to this county. They lived two years in Rush Creek, and then came to Pleasant Valley, in the year 1845.

Mr. Williams entered 400 acres of Government land, which was held as a squatter’s claim, he paying the man $3S0 for his right to it. There were twenty-five acres of the land broken, and a rude log-cabin on the place, which had a clapboard roof held on by poles, a floor of rough boards Put down with wooden pins instead of nails; the door swung on wooden hinges, and had a wooden latch with a buckskin string to lift it; the string usually hanging outside in token of the warm hospitality of the inmates of the primitive dwelling. Mr. Williams labored zealously to prepare his land for cultivation, and in after years his hard work was rewarded, and he found himself the owner of one of the largest and best-improved farms in Pleasant Valley; a subsequent purchase of twenty acres having increased its acreage to 420 acres of land, whose fertility and productiveness were unsurpassed by that of any other farm in the vicinity. He erected a commodious dwelling and an excellent set of conveniently arranged farm-buildings, and everything about the Place bore the impress of a skilled, practical hand in the management.

Mr. Williams was a man of more than ordinary ability, possessing a high moral character and an exceedingly generous disposition, and his personal habits were irreproachable. He was an earnest advocate of temperance both in word and deed, and was never guilty of using liquor or tobacco in all his days. The loss of such a man was a severe blow to the highest interests of this community, where his memory will ever be cherished as a man without stain, and a citizen of public spirit and progressive views. Of this pleasant wedded life with our subject the following children were born: David, Zack Taylor Thomas, Preston, Colonel, Elizabeth, Cynthia, Mary, William, arid John. David was a Lieutenant in the 45th Illinois Infantry during the late war. He is now engaged in farming in Boone County NE. He married Ellen Sage of Pleasant Valley and she died leaving two sons, George M. and Frank D. Zack married Lucy Mader of Berreman Twp. and they have one child, Wilbur. Thomas married Arvilla Beams of Republic County KS. They have four children, Bertha, Verga, Frank and Ben Harrison. Preston and Colonel are carrying on the home farm. They are taking care of their mother. They are valued members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Portraits & Biographical Jo Daviess Co IL 1889 Pg 548