Margaret S. Williams, widow of John Williams, is a lady greatly respected in Pleasant Valley Township for those qualities of head and heart that mark her a true and honorable woman. Her husband was one of the gallant defenders of our country during the trying times of the great Civil War, and he yielded his life in defense of the Stars and Stripes He was a member of Company I, 96th Illinois Infantry ,and succumbed to the terrible hardships of army life, dying in Danville, Ky., of chronic diarrhea, thus leaving his widow with three children—Wallace T., Lizzie, and Sarah C. The latter died when she was eleven years old; Wallace married Montana Laughrin, of Pleasant Valley, and they have two children—Blanche and Orrin J.; Lizzie married Amos Reed, of Pleasant Valley, and they have one child, Maude E.

Mrs. Williams was born in Danville, Vermilion Co., Ill., in 1839, being a daughter of George F. and Tarinda (Snoddy) Rock. Her father was born in Ohio, in 1808, and lived there until he grew to manhood, and was married. He then went to Vermilion County IL and thence to Freeport, Stephenson Co. IL. from whence he went to La Fayette County, Wis., where he spent his last days, dying Jan. 9, 1846. He was a farmer and a miner, and was in all respects an upright, honorable man, whom to know was to respect. His worthy wife was born in Bourbon County, Ky., in 1808, and afterward removed with her parents to Ohio. She was a person of sound sense and fair education, and was worthy of the esteem in which she was held. There were seven children born to her and her husband, of whom five are living—Francis F., George, Clarihda, Margaret, and our subject. Their daughter, Temperance C., married William Porter, of Rockford, Ill., and both died without issue. Sarah married Andrew J. Barrow, of La Fayette County, Wis., and died without issue. After her death Mr. Barrow went to California, and all traces of him are lost: Francis F., a resident of Harrison County, Iowa, married Louisa Walton, of McGregor, and they have thirteen children—Devello B., Johnson J., George F., Francis F., Jennie, Clara, Owen, Willard, Agnes, Newell, Abner, Desdemona, and James. Clara is married, and has two daughters; Jennie married a Mr. Willet, a blacksmith, of Harrison Countv, Iowa; Abner, a farmer, married Fannie Field, of Wisconsin, and they have three children—Annie M., Charles, and Eliza. George Rock, a farmer, married Elmira Frederick, of Harrison County, Iowa, and they have six children—Oscar, Marion, Orrin Hayes, Minnie, Arthur M.. and George M.; Clarinda Rock makes her home with her sister, our subject.

Margaret S. Williams was born in this State, as above noted, and was very young when her parents moved to Wisconsin, and was only a child of seven years when her father died. She was united in marriage with John Williams March 10, 1859. During his life Mr. Williams was a useful citizen and an efficient soldier, who did his duty nobly in camp, or on the field of battle. He voted, as he fought, for the Republican party.

After her husband’s death Mrs. Williams bravely shouldered the burden of the care of her children, and well did she perform her part in training them to a useful manhood and womanhood. She has a pension from the Government, and is living in comfort in one of the coziest homes in this town, where she is well-known, and is deservedly held in the highest consideration.

Portraits & Biographical Jo Daviess Co IL 1889 Pg 540