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biography from Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
WILLIAM E. WILLIAMS, residing on Section 14, Des Moines Township, was born in South Wales in 1826, and is the son of Erasmus and Elizabeth (Luelans) Williams, both natives of South Wales. His father was a coal miner, and William followed the same occupation. Believing America offered a better chance for a poor man, William decided to emigrate, and landed in New York Nov. 8, 1862, after a stormy voyage of three months on board the steamer Benjamin Adams. He first located at Scranton, Pa., where he lived two years engaged in mining. He then went to California, where he remained one year, engaged in coal mining, after which he returned to Wales, where he visited one year, coming back to America and again locating at Scranton. After the expiration of two years he went to Luzerne County, Pa., and lived one year, from which place he went to Akron, Ohio, and there lived one year, going thence to Brazil, Ind., where he remained two years. Oskaloosa, Iowa, was, the next place of his abode. For seven years he remained in the vicinity of Oskaloosa, engaged in coal-mining and farming. He then made a second trip to California, and spent one year subsequently in traveling through Idaho, Oregon, Vancouver's Island and Victoria. He then returned to Oskaloosa and remained one year, then purchased twenty-seven and a half acres of land, where he now lives. Before coming to the United States Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Catherine Williams, by whom he had two sons-Morgan and William- both of whom are in the old country. Mrs. Williams died in 1872, and Mr. Williams was again married, choosing as a companion Mary Pearce, a native of Wales. Their married life was of short duration. Mrs. Williams dying in 1874. For the third time Mr. Williams was united in marriage, the ceremony taking place Jan. 1, 1880, and the bride being Jane Edwards, also a native of Wales. Two children have been born to them- David and John. Mrs. Williams is the owner of sixty-seven acres of well-improved farm land. Our subject and wife are members of the Congregational Church.
Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy