Greeley County, Nebraska
Centenarians James Leander Williams

James Leander Williams was 100 years old Tuesday and the occasion was celebrated in gala style with a family reunion at the A. M. Stillman home in the Lamartine community that day. In addition to fifty relatives many friends called during the day to deliver birthday greetings to the centenarian.

The old gentleman is in good health and enjoyed the day to the fullest. Shortly after the noon hour the Scotia school band went out to the Stillman farm via school bus and played some numbers. H. C. Ebmeier took pictures of the group and of Mr. Williams.

18 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren were present. From a distance for the occasion came Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Stillman of Oceanside, Calif., and Mr. and Mrs. LeRoss Williams and daughter of Cambridge. All those present for dinner were relatives except three, Rev. A. C. Ehret, Mr. Williams’ pastor, Mrs. Sylvia Brannen and Mrs. Wm. Maxson, close friends of the family, all of North Loup. Two granddaughters, Mrs. Audree Bunce of Battle Creek, Mich., and Mrs. Cecil Severance of North Loup were unable to be present.

Those sending flowers were Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Severance, Mr. and Mrs. LeRoss Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Archie Kring of Axtell, Mrs. Sylvia Brannen, Mrs. Henry Williams, and the Scotia community club.

Sending gifts were Mr. and Mrs. Wm. King, Mr. and Mrs. Bert Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Leland Stillman, Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Stillman, Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Stillman, Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Williams, Mrs. E. E. Davis, Merle Davis, and Mrs. Wm. Madsen.

A member of the family told the Register yesterday, “Grandpa and the family want to thank those who helped make the occasion pleasant and those who made beautiful cakes, Mrs. Fred Sautter, Mrs. Edgar Stillman, Mrs. Henry Williams and Mrs. Aubry Davis. We also wish to especially thank the Scotia community club for the beautiful gladioli bouquet and the many others who sent flowers and presents. We are deeply grateful to Supt. Ebmeier and the Scotia school band for the fine music which was enjoyed by all and especially by grandpa.”

Mr. Williams has led an active and interesting life and many are the stories he can tell of his early youth.

He was born near Richburg, N. Y., May 6, 1841, the youngest of nine children born to

Daniel and Mary Lester Williams. All of these children lived beyond middle age, one brother reaching the age of 90 years. The earliest recollection Mr. Williams has is the death of his father when he was about four years old. He learned to help with the work on the farm, such as driving oxen and harvesting grain with the cradle. His schooling was meager as there were no free schools and most of his education was gained in the school of experience.

He has been a great lover of horses all of his life. at the age of 18 he drove a team of horses to Buffalo and loaded them on a steamboat, shipping them on the Great Lakes to Chicago where he unloaded them. He then drove out of the city and into Wisconsin to the home of his brother.

He was married to Eunice Abigail Fuller November 25, 1865, and they celebrated their golden wedding in 1915. His companion passed away April 25, 1922.

In 1871 Mr. Williams and wife and their baby girl moved to Harlan county, Nebraska, driving through from Wisconsin in company with several families, going part of the way with the government surveyors. After a few weeks in Nebraska they went to Minnesota where they remained for two years before returning again to Wisconsin where they made their home. In 1876 they again drove to Nebraska, this time homesteading just south of the Republican river near Orleans.

In 1887 the Williams family came to North Loup to be near a Seventh Day Baptist church, and except for a few years spent in Arkansas, North Loup remained Mrs. Williams’ home. About a year ago he moved with his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Stillman, to the Hollie Chadwick farm south of Scotia.

He has three children, Henry, of Ord, Bert, of North Loup, and Mrs. Stillman. The eldest child, a daughter, died at the age of 14. Mr. Williams has 20 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

[Soctia Register, Scotia Nebraska, Published 08 May 1941, submitted by Cathy Danielson]

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