Person Page

     Nancy McClurg was born on 10 July 1822 in Ohio.^{5,3,6,7,8,9,10,11,12} She was married by Jon. Morris, J. P., to William Dornan, son of John Dornan and Rachel Crow, on 30 November 1847 in Elk Run Twp., Columbiana Co., Ohio.^13,3,4,14 She died on 18 March 1870 at age 47.^5,3 She was buried at Plummerville Cemetery in Allegan Co., Michigan.⁵
     She moved with her parents from Pennsylvania to Ohio in the fall of 1844.⁴ In 1851 she and her husband William settled in Ganges Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan. William moved his family there after a prospecting tour. They settled on section 20, and cleared 80 acres by hand. They later sold this property, and bought 160 acres in sections 20 and 29. Still later they moved to section 7, where they bought a 37-acre fruit farm.^3,15,4

     Federal W. Woodin was born on 11 November 1811 in Dutchess Co., New York.^1,3 He married Maria Brazee.^3,4 He died on 20 February 1901 in Ganges Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan, at age 89 from heart failure, as a result of indigestion.¹ He was buried on 22 February 1901 at Plummerville Cemetery in Allegan Co., Michigan.¹
     He and his wife Maria moved to Trumbull Co., Ohio, about 1843, when their daughter Mary was "only a baby."⁵ They are listed there in Kinsman in the 1850 census.⁶ In 1860, after his wife's death, he and his children Mary, Jasper, Sarah, Jane, Frank, and Laura were living in Denmark Twp., Ashtabula Co., Ohio.⁷
     In Ohio he made his living as a shoemaker^8,6,7, but doctors advised him to give up his shoemaking business, and in 1862, after several of his neighbors had moved to Allegan Co., Michigan, he and his children also moved there, traveling 350 miles by covered wagon in 17 days. (According to A Twentieth Century History of Allegan County, Michigan, they moved to Michigan from Dutchess Co., New York. However, other evidence strongly indicates that this is an error, and that they moved there from Ohio.) Also with them was a granddaughter whose father (Jasper Woodin?) was serving in the army.^3,5,8
     He bought 40 acres of land in Ganges Twp., Allegan Co.³ By May 1864, when an agricultural inventory was taken, he owned eighty acres of land, ten of it planted in corn. In the previous year, he had a yield of 300 bushels of corn, forty bushels of potatoes, five tons of hay, and 100 churns of butter. He owned two work oxen, one milk cow, and two swine.⁹ His listing in the 1870 census for Ganges Twp. shows real estate worth $1000, and personal property worth $250.¹⁰
     He moved to northern Michigan for a short time, but soon returned to Ganges Twp.⁵ At one point, his home was destroyed in a fire.³ He probably lived with his son Frank and family in Ganges Twp. for at least the last 20 years of his life, as he is listed in Frank's household there in the 1880 and 1900 censuses.^11,12
     He was a witness to the will of his daughter Marinda's father-in-law William Swaney, dated 4 February 1868.¹³

     Maria Brazee was born about 1817 (based on her reported death at age 36; the 1850 census indicates about 1815, however) in Connecticut.^3,4,5,6 She married Federal W. Woodin, son of Solomon Woodin and Annie Franklin.^2,7 She died about January 1853.^3,8
     Her nationality was Dutch.² She and her husband Federal W. Woodin moved to Trumbull Co., Ohio, about 1843, when their daughter Mary was "only a baby."⁹ They are listed there in Kinsman in the 1850 census.⁴

     Beniah Thorp Williamson was born on 10 March 1839 or 1840 in Darke Co., Ohio.^2,6,4 He was married by James C. Bodley, J. P., to Jane Hamilton, daughter of Keys C. Hamilton and Caroline Kelley, on 10 March 1862 in Whitley Co., Indiana.^7,8,9 He died on 29 January 1928 at his home in Ganges Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan, at age 88 after about 10 days of paralysis. He had suffered a brain hemorrhage, which left his right side paralyzed.^2,4 He was buried on 31 January 1928 at Taylor Cemetery in Allegan Co., Michigan.^2,6
     He moved to Whitley Co., Indiana, with his parents in October 1843, where they settled on a farm in Cleveland Twp. south of South Whitley.^10,11 By 1860 he had moved out of the family home and was living with John and Catharine Bider and their family in Cleveland Twp., and working as a laborer.¹²
     On 5 April 1859 his half-brother William Williamson and his wife Elizabeth quitclaimed to him for $75 the 80-acre tract of land in Whitley Co. that their father Joshua had purchased on 20 September 1852.¹³ On 2 May 1863 he and his wife Jane sold their rights to the "undivided two tenths" of this land to his brother Perry for $225.^{14,15,16,17,18}
     On 17 December 1860 he and his brothers Perry and Joseph bought 160 acres of land in Whitley Co. (the southeast quarter of section 15 township 30 north range 8 east), from Daniel Prugh and his wife Anna ("late Anna Swihart") of Preble Co., Ohio, for $1500.¹⁹ On 2 May 1863 this land was divided between the brothers Beniah, Joseph, and Henry, each receiving 53 1/3 acres. Perry and Beniah quitclaimed the northern third to Joseph for $400, Perry and Joseph quitclaimed the southwestern third to Beniah for $400, and Perry, Beniah, and Joseph quitclaimed the southeastern third to Henry for $600. The net result was an equitable split, assuming the value of the total property had increased from $1500 at the time it was purchased to $1800 at the time of the division.^20,21,22 About a year later, on 29 March 1864, he and his brother Henry sold their shares, totalling 106 2/3 acres, to Morgan Jenkins for $2000.²³
     In 1870 he and his wife Jane and their family were living next to his brother Perry's family in Cleveland Twp.²⁴ They moved to Glenn, Allegan Co., Michigan, in 1877, traveling in covered wagons. They arrived on 22 April and settled on a fruit farm.⁴
     On 29 November 1882 he petitioned the court in Allegan Co. for guardianship of the estate of his minor children Alice I., Willis S., Otis O., Riley S., and Effie D. Williamson, which they had inherited from their grandfather Keys C. Hamilton. The inheritance consisted of real estate in Whitley Co., Indiana, worth an estimated $800, and personal property worth an estimated $315. On 7 March 1883 he posted a guardian's bond of "ten [?] thousand dollars," and was appointed guardian on 15 March 1883. When each of the children reached the age of 21, they received formal control of their share of the real estate, a sum of money representing their share of the personal estate, and asked the court to discharge him from his guardianship duty. For Alice I. and Willis S. this occurred on 7 December 1887, and they each received $63 from the personal property; for Riley S. it was on 3 December 1891, and he received $84; for Effie D. it was on 30 November 1895, and she received $84; and Otis O. received $85 (his petition is undated).²⁵
     He and Jane lived in Ganges Twp. the rest of their lives. All of their children had moved out by 1910, but their daughter Alice was again living with them by 1920.^{3,26,27,28,29}

     Jane Hamilton was born on 7 September 1845 in South Whitley, Whitley Co., Indiana.^1,4 She was married by James C. Bodley, J. P., to Beniah Thorp Williamson, son of Joshua W. Williamson and Elizabeth Tharp, on 10 March 1862 in Whitley Co., Indiana.^5,6,7 She died on 2 December 1930 in Ganges Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan, at age 85 from complications after fracturing her hip.¹ Her funeral services were at her home on 5 December 1930, with Rev. Williams of Kalamazoo officiating, and she was buried at Taylor Cemetery in Allegan Co., Michigan.^8,1,9
     In her father's will, dated 29 June 1876, she and her sisters Harriet Waller and Clarissa Gable, and the children of her deceased sister Emily Sickafoose and deceased brother Justin Hamilton, were left 2/3 of the estate.¹⁰
     In 1870 she and her husband Beniah and their family were living next to Bethia's brother Perry's family in Cleveland Twp.¹¹ They moved to Glenn, Allegan Co., Michigan, in 1877, traveling in covered wagons. They arrived on 22 April and settled on a fruit farm.² They lived in Ganges Twp. the rest of their lives. All of their children had moved out by 1910, but their daughter Alice was again living with them by 1920.^{12,13,14,15,16}
     Her will was dated 12 October 1928 in Allegan Co., Michigan, with the Fruit Grower's State Bank of Saugatuck named as executor. In it she left $1,000 each to her daughters Alice Williamson and Effa Plummer. The rest of her estate was to be divided equally between all seven of her children. The inventory of her estate listed $600.51 in personal property, and $4,000 in real estate described as "the east sixty (60) acres of the north half of the northeast quarter of section thirty (30), town two north, of range sixteen west" in Ganges Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan. The estate was finally settled sometime after 21 March 1934, with a final value of $4,560.90.¹⁷

     Alice Ida Williamson was born on 13 July 1863 in Indiana.^1,3,4 She died suddenly on 25 June 1953 at her home north of Glenn, Allegan Co., Michigan, at age 89.⁵ Funeral services were on 27 June 1953 at the Calvin Funeral Home in South Haven, with Rev. Henry Alexander of the Methodist Church in Glenn officiating, and she was buried at Taylor Cemetery in Allegan Co., Michigan.⁵
     She remained at home, living with her parents in Glenn, Allegan Co., Michigan, and caring for them throughout their lives, except, perhaps, for a period of time around 1910.^4,6,7,8,9
     In her mother's will, dated 12 October 1928, she and her sister Effa each received $1,000. She and her six siblings also were left what remained of the estate, to be divided equally.¹⁰

     Willis Stanton Williamson was born on 17 February 1865 in Indiana.^3,2 He married Julia S. Tourtellotte, daughter of Daniel D. Tourtellotte and Sarah E. Overhiser, on 13 December 1888 in Glenn, Allegan Co., Michigan. They were married by Chas. Johnson, Minister, and the witnesses were Geo. B. Tourtellott and the groom's sister Alice Williamson.⁴ He died on 31 May 1939 in Ganges Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan, at age 74 from heart disease.^3,5 He was buried on 3 June 1939 at Plummerville Cemetery in Allegan Co., Michigan.^3,6
     He went by his middle name Stanton.^3,2 He and his wife Julia were living in Ganges Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan, in 1900 and 1910.^7,8 He was a fruit grower, and owned his own farm, free of mortgage.^7,8 Sometime between 1910 and 1920 they moved to Albion, Calhoun Co., Michigan,^8,9 where they lived until at least 1930.¹⁰ In Albion he worked as a laborer and carpenter for a lumber company.^9,10
     His will was dated 17 June 1935 in Ganges Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan, with his brother-in-law Mack D. Tourtellotte and his wife Florence as witnesses. His widow Julia was appointed administrator, and posted a bond of $100 on 23 June 1939. He left all of his estate to his wife. At her death, whatever remained was to go to his daughter Gladys Ormiston. The inventory of his estate, filed 12 July 1939, lists a Chevrolet car (later given to his daughter Gladys) worth $250; a parcel of land described as "commencing at the south-east corner of the north-east quarter of the north-east quarter of section thirty-one, town two north, range sixteen west - running west twenty rods, north four rods, thence east twenty rods, thence south four rods to place of beginning" worth $300; ten shares of stock in The Commercial and Savings Bank of Albion, Michigan, worth $1000; and 1100 shares of Oregon Strong Ledge Mining stock with no value.¹¹

     Ottis Oscar Williamson was born on 22 November 1867 (his obituary says 22 November 1868) in South Bend, St. Joseph Co., Indiana.^6,3,2 He married Clara M. Hughes, daughter of William Hughes and (?) Gregory, on 25 January 1888 in Allegan, Allegan Co., Michigan.⁷ He died on 16 March 1958 at the Neale Nursing Home in South Haven, Van Buren Co., Michigan, at age 90.^8,9 He was buried on 20 March 1958 at Lakeview Cemetery in South Haven, Van Buren Co., Michigan.^10,11
     In 1900 he and his wife Clara and their two children were living in Ganges Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan,³ where he owned a fruit farm.³ They moved to Denver, Colorado, sometime before 1907¹², where he worked as a gardner¹³, then to Amarillo, Potter Co., Texas, for a time, then back to Denver by 1909.⁹
     Their daughter Winifred had a son, Clifford A. Kriegmus, born in Denver on 5 October 1915, no doubt named after Winifred's brother Clifford who had died by suicide five years earlier.^14,9 The family moved back to Michigan sometime between then and November 1917, when Winifred filed for divorce in Van Buren Co.¹⁵ In February 1919 Ottis and Clara legally adopted Winifred's son Clifford, and his name was changed to Clifford Kenneth Williamson.¹⁶
     Ottis and Clara are listed in South Haven, Van Buren Co., in the 1930 census¹⁷, and in Ganges Twp., Allegan Co., in 1940.¹⁸ Their grandson Clifford was living with them in 1930, listed as their son.¹⁷ Ottis was working as a carpenter in 1930, and as a farm manager in 1940.

     Effie Dell Williamson was born on 1 November 1874 in South Whitley, Whitley Co., Indiana.⁴ She married Leonidas E. Plummer, son of William Henry Plummer and Mary Smith, on 1 November 1894 in Ganges, Allegan Co., Michigan. They were married by W. F. Harding, M.E. Minister, and the witnesses were Leo. B. Plummer and Alice I. Williamson.^5,4 She died on 11 December 1957 at a nursing home in South Haven, Van Buren Co., Michigan, at age 83.^6,4 She was buried on 14 December 1957 at Plummerville Cemetery in Allegan Co., Michigan.^4,6,7
     She went by the first name Effa.⁴ She and her husband Leonidas lived in Ganges Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan. In 1910 a widower named Jonathan P. Eddy was boarding with them.^8,9,10,11
     In 1900 they owned their own farm, with a mortgage. By 1910 the mortgage had been paid off, and Leonidas had employees working for him.^8,9 They may have had a setback, however. In 1920 and 1930 they were living in a rented house, and did not own a radio in 1930.^10,11
     In her mother's will, dated 12 October 1928, she and her sister Alice each received $1,000. She and her six siblings also were left what remained of the estate, to be divided equally.¹²

     Calvin Packer Williamson was born on 10 November 1877 in Michigan.^4,5,2 He was married by Benjamin F. Brinkman to Lela M. Barden, daughter of Jay H. Barden and Emily Nye, on 27 December 1905 in Glenn, Allegan Co., Michigan.^3,6 He died on 10 October 1968 at home in Fennville, Allegan Co., Michigan, at age 90 after a short illness.⁷ He was buried on 12 October 1968 at Taylor Cemetery in Allegan Co., Michigan.^8,7
     He went by the name "Vin."⁹ He and his wife Lela lived in Ganges Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan, from at least 1910 to 1930. Living with them in 1920 were Mae Bell (age 42, listed as "Head 2"), her daughter and son-in-law Gladys (age 20) and Roger Rae (age 25), her daughter Jorene Bell (age 12), and her granddaughter Wildene Rae (age one month). Mae Bell was born in Illinois, and her occupation is given as farmer. Although they are listed in the same household, Calvin Williamson's entry indicates his house was mortgaged, while Mae Bell's entry says she owned her house free and clear.^10,11,12
     In the censuses he was listed as a fruit farmer in 1910, general farmer in 1920, and fruit farmer again in 1930. By 1930 he had employees working for him.^10,11,12
     In 1957 he was living in South Haven, Van Buren Co., Michigan.¹³
     He apparently died intestate, and his nephew Hamilton H. Miller, son of his sister Lelia E. Miller, was the administrator for his estate. At his death his estate included personal property valued at $11,241.24, two parcels of land (a 40-acre farm south of Ganges, Allegan Co., Michigan) valued at $8,000.00, and interest in a land contract with Oldrich E. and Shirley J. Viktora for 20 acres in Ganges Twp. valued at $4,385.20, for a total of $23,626.44. The following claims were filed against the estate: $1,638.72 for funeral expenses by the Chappell Funeral Home of Fennville, Allegan Co., Michigan; on 16 November 1968, $5,300 (amended on 9 April 1969 to $7,550) by Richard W. Radseck of Holland, Michigan, for services on the farm from about 1963-1968; and on 21 February 1969, $500 by Mabel E. Hale of Ganges Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan, for housekeeping services between 1 April and 1 December in 1965-1968. The claims by the funeral home and Mabel Hale were allowed in full. A compromise settlement was reached with Richard Radseck, for $6,250. The estate was finally settled, probably on 29 December 1970. After all claims, administration expenses, etc., were settled, $14,396.59 remained to be distributed to the heirs. His sister Lelia and niece Winifred Haney each recieved a 1/4 share. His nephews Cleon Plummer and Carl Plummer, and nieces Leeta Waldron and Verda Swikert, each recieved a 1/8 share, which amounted to $1,641.04 after deducting Michigan inheritance tax.¹⁴
     He and Lela had no children.^10,11,12,14

     Solomon Woodin was born on 11 December 1777 (the Commemorative Biographical Record of Dutchess County, New York says 1780, and the 1850 census indicates about 1775) in Pawling, Dutchess Co., New York.^2,1,3 He married Annie Franklin.⁴ He died on 19 December 1858 in Beekman, Dutchess Co., New York, at age 81.^4,5 He was buried at Beekman Cemetery in Poughquag, Dutchess Co., New York.⁶
     According to their son Egbert's biography in the Commemorative Biographical Record of Dutchess County, New York, Solomon Woodin and his wife Annie moved to Beekman, Dutchess Co., New York, in 1845⁴, where he was a farmer.⁴ However, they are listed in Pawling, Dutchess Co., in the 1850 census, and his occupation is listed as laborer.⁴

     Joshua W. Williamson was born about 1786 in Bedford Co., Virginia.^5,4,6 He married first Anna Eubank, daughter of Thomas Eubank, on 3 September 1807 in Bedford Co., Virginia. A marriage bond was issued on 2 September 1807, with the bride's father Thomas Eubank as bondsman.^7,8 He was married second, by Samuel Hiestand, J. P., to Elizabeth Tharp, daughter of Thomas Tharp and Hannah Hitchcock, on 29 October 1834 in Montgomery Co., Ohio.^9,10,11 He died on 9 February 1858 (the History of Whitley County, Indiana erroneously says 1860) in Cleveland Twp., Whitley Co., Indiana.^5,4,12 He was buried at Cleveland Cemetery in Whitley Co., Indiana.⁵
     On 2 June 1829 Joshua W. Williamson and his first wife Anna sold 142 acres of land in Bedford Co., Virginia, to William Marshall of Bedford Co. for $570.¹³ He was living in Henry Co., Indiana, about 1830.¹⁴ He was living in Ohio from 1835 to 1843, at least, since his last five children were born there during those years. An article in the History of Whitley County, Indiana also states that he left Virginia "in an early day," and spent several years in Ohio before moving to Indiana.^12,6
     He and his second wife Elizabeth and their family moved to Cleveland Twp., Whitley Co., Indiana, south of South Whitley, in October 1843.^15,16 He is listed in the 1844 Tax Duplicate for Cleveland Twp., apparently without any real estate, but with personal property valued at $50.¹⁷ He and Elizabeth are listed in Whitley Co. in the 1850 census, with real estate worth $300.⁶ On 20 September 1852 he bought 80 acres of land in Whitley Co. (the east half of the northeast quarter of section 14 township 30 north range 8 east) from Charles A. Davis and his wife Mary T. Davis of Lowell, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, for $280.¹⁸
     The inclusion of Mary and Sarah as children of Joshua Williamson and his first wife Anna Eubank is based on land transactions in which Joshua's heirs sold their rights to his land to other siblings in the first few years after his death. Thomas Eubanks and his wife Mary, and John Michael and his wife Sarah, quitclaimed their shares to Joshua's son Perry in March 1860. Since the names of Joshua's children from his second marriage are all known, Mary and Sarah are most likely children from his first marriage.^19,20
     Joshua Williamson's will has not been located. Some probate records have been found, however, at the Whitley County Clerk's Office in the basement of the jail in Columbia City, Indiana. The administrator of his estate was Peter Creager, appointed on 2 March 1858. His personal property was inventoried on 18 March 1858, and valued at just $241. It included livestock (two horses, four cows, a two-year-old steer and a one-year-old heifer, and some hogs), various farm tools, kitchen goods, and furniture.²¹

     Elizabeth Tharp was born about 1799 (based on her age at death of 65 years; however, the Descendants of Thomas Tharp says 1800, and the 1850 and 1860 censuses list her age as 50 and 54, respectively) in Rowan Co., North Carolina.^3,1,4,5 She married first Hugh Monroe on 21 May 1818 in Lanier Twp., Preble Co., Ohio.^6,1 She was married second, by Samuel Hiestand, J. P., to Joshua W. Williamson, son of James Williamson and Elizabeth Hall, on 29 October 1834 in Montgomery Co., Ohio.^7,8,9 She died on 28 July 1864 (her transcribed headstone inscription says 28 July 1861) in Whitley Co., Indiana.^1,10,3 She was buried at Cleveland Cemetery in Whitley Co., Indiana.³
     The History of Whitley County Indiana by Kaler and Maring gives her surname as Thorp.¹¹ She and her second husband Joshua and their family moved to Cleveland Twp., Whitley Co., Indiana, south of South Whitley, in October 1843.^12,13 They are listed in Whitley Co. in the 1850 census, with real estate worth $300.⁴ She is listed there in the 1860 census with her daughter Elizabeth Monroe from her first marriage, and her sons Perry Williamson and Henry Williamson. Her personal property was worth $60. Both she and her daughter Elizabeth were unable to read or write.⁵

     Melissa Jane Williamson was born on 22 May 1835 (the Descendants of Thomas Tharp says 1836) in Montgomery Co., Ohio.^3,4 She married Peter Creager, son of Peter Creager and Elizabeth Rike, on 1 January 1854 in Whitley Co., Indiana.^1,5,6 She died on 25 December 1865 in Washington Twp., Whitley Co., Indiana, at age 30 from typhoid fever. One of her daughters also died.^7,4,6,3,8 She was buried at Cleveland Cemetery in Whitley Co., Indiana.⁷
     She moved to Whitley Co., Indiana, with her parents in October 1843, where they settled on a farm in Cleveland Twp. south of South Whitley.^9,10 After their marriage she and her husband Peter lived on a 160-acre farm in Washington Twp., Whitley Co., Indiana.^3,11
     On 15 October 1864 she and Peter, along with her brother Joseph, sold their rights to the 80 acres of land in Whitley Co., that her father Joshua had purchased on 20 September 1852, to her brother Perry for $400.^{12,13,14,15,16}

     Perry Marvin Williamson was born on 10 April 1837 in Preble Co., Ohio.^6,4,3 He married Rose Ann Pence, daughter of Frederick Pence and Susan Jenkins, on 22 June 1862 in Whitley Co., Indiana. They were married by Dr. Elijah Merriman, justice of the peace of Springfield (now South Whitley).^7,8,9,6 He died on 27 May 1920 at home in Cleveland Twp., Whitley Co., Indiana, at age 83 after four days illness. The cause of death was listed as "arteriosclerosis - apoplexy."^4,6,3 He was buried on 30 May 1920 at South Whitley Cemetery (Section U, Site 7-7-3) in Whitley Co., Indiana. Funeral services were at the South Whitley United Brethren church, with former pastor Rev. J. T. Kelsey of Laketon officiating.^6,10,4
     He moved to Whitley Co., Indiana, with his parents in October 1843, where they settled on a farm in Cleveland Twp. south of South Whitley.^6,11 He took over the family farm in Cleveland Twp. at the death of his father in 1858.^6,12 In 1860 he was living there with his mother Elizabeth Williamson, his brother Henry, and his half-sister Elizabeth Monroe.¹³
     Between 1860 and 1864 he was involved in at least five land transactions in which his siblings quitclaimed to him their rights in the 80-acre tract of land in Whitley Co. that their father had purchased in 1852. On 10 March 1860, Thomas Eubanks and his wife Mary of Darke Co., Ohio, quitclaimed their share to him for $75. John Michael and his wife Sarah of Randolph Co., Indiana, did the same on 27 March 1860, also for $75. Also quitclaiming shares to him were: his brother Beniah and his wife Jane on 2 May 1863 for $225 (the "undivided two tenths" of the land); his brother Henry and his wife Melzene on 29 March 1864 for $150; and his sister Melissa and her husband Peter Creager, and his brother Joseph, on 15 October 1864 for $400.^{14,15,16,17,18}
     On 17 December 1860 he and his brothers Beniah and Joseph bought 160 acres of land in Whitley Co. (the southeast quarter of section 15 township 30 north range 8 east), from Daniel Prugh and his wife Anna ("late Anna Swihart") of Preble Co., Ohio, for $1500.¹⁹ On 2 May 1863 this land was divided between the brothers Beniah, Joseph, and Henry, each receiving 53 1/3 acres. Perry and Beniah quitclaimed the northern third to Joseph for $400, Perry and Joseph quitclaimed the southwestern third to Beniah for $400, and Perry, Beniah, and Joseph quitclaimed the southeastern third to Henry for $600. The net result was an equitable split, assuming the value of the total property had increased from $1500 at the time it was purchased to $1800 at the time of the division.^20,21,22
     After their marriage his wife Rose joined him on the family farm, where they lived the rest of their lives.^{23,24,25,26,27,12} He became one of the best known and most prosperous farmers in Cleveland Twp., and by 1907 owned 140 acres and some fine livestock.¹² From 1870 to 1920 he was a member of the United Brethren Church in South Whitley.⁶ Politically, he was a Republican, "staunch and unswerving."²⁸
     His will was dated 23 December 1904 in Whitley Co., and proved 7 June 1920. He left all his property to his wife Roseann, who was named executrix. At her death, the remaining property was to be divided equally between his children Wallace W. Williamson and Amanda W. Lee, taking into account any earlier distribution of property to them.²⁹

     Joseph Lawrence Williamson was born on 11 January 1841 in Preble Co., Ohio.^3,4,2 He was married by Thomas Washburn, J.P., to Susanah Smith, daughter of Harmon Smith and Edith Edwards, on 17 December 1864 in Whitley Co., Indiana.^5,6,4 He died at about 2:00 AM on 19 October 1913, at home in South Whitley, Whitley Co., Indiana, at age 72 from a cancerous growth on the left side of his nose. He had been in declining health for several months.^7,3,2 He was buried on 21 October 1913 at South Whitley Cemetery (Section W, Site 9-10; his obituary erroneously says at the Cleveland cemetery) in Whitley Co., Indiana. Funeral services were at the South Whitley Baptist Church, with Rev. Bair officiating, assisted by Rev. Lee Fisher of Flora, Indiana.^8,3,7,9
     He moved to Whitley Co., Indiana, with his parents in October 1843, where they settled on a farm in Cleveland Twp. south of South Whitley.^10,11 In 1860 he was living in the household of Frederic Pence (father of his brother Perry's future wife Rose Ann Pence) in Cleveland Twp., and working as a laborer.¹²
     On 15 October 1864 he, and his sister Melissa and her husband Peter Creager, sold their rights to the 80-acre tract of land in Whitley Co., that his father Joshua had purchased in 1852, to his brother Perry for $400.^{13,14,15,16,17}
     On 17 December 1860 he and his brothers Perry and Beniah bought 160 acres of land in Whitley Co. (the southeast quarter of section 15 township 30 north range 8 east), from Daniel Prugh and his wife Anna ("late Anna Swihart") of Preble Co., Ohio, for $1500.¹⁸ On 2 May 1863 this land was divided between the brothers Beniah, Joseph, and Henry, each receiving 53 1/3 acres. Perry and Beniah quitclaimed the northern third to Joseph for $400, Perry and Joseph quitclaimed the southwestern third to Beniah for $400, and Perry, Beniah, and Joseph quitclaimed the southeastern third to Henry for $600. The net result was an equitable split, assuming the value of the total property had increased from $1500 at the time it was purchased to $1800 at the time of the division.^19,20,21 He sold his share on 23 August 1864 to Frederick Pence for $1000.²²
     On 3 September 1864 he bought 80 acres of land in Whitley Co. (the west half of the southwest quarter of section 27 township 30 north range 8 east) from David Kreider and his wife Nancy of Whitley Co. for $2000.²³ On 7 April 1865 he and his wife Susanna sold this land for $2250.²⁴
     After their marriage he and his wife Susanah lived in Cleveland Twp., Whitley Co., Indiana.^25,26,27 He turned his farm in Cleveland Twp. over to his son Harley about 1903, and moved to South Whitley.^3,4,28
     He was a Baptist.⁴ Politically, he was a Republican.⁴

     Henry Harrison Williamson was born on 3 March 1843 in Darke or Shelby Co., Ohio.^4,5,3 He was married by Elijah Merriman, J. P., to Melzene M. Wantz, daughter of Frederick Wantz and Catherine Wysong, on 25 December 1861 in Whitley Co., Indiana.^6,7,8,9 He died on 30 January 1920 at his farm in Cleveland Twp., Whitley Co., Indiana, at age 76 of Bright's disease, which he had suffered with for many years. His death record lists the official cause of death as "chronic interstitial nephritis - hypertrophy of prostate - uraemia."^10,11,3 He was buried on 1 February 1920 at South Whitley Cemetery (Section U, Site 3-7) in Whitley Co., Indiana. Funeral services were at the South Whitley United Baptist Church, with former pastor Rev. J. T. Kelsey of Silver Lake officiating.^{4,12,13,10,14}
     He moved to Whitley Co., Indiana, with his parents in October 1843, where they settled on a farm in Cleveland Twp. south of South Whitley.^15,4
     On 8 March 1859 his half-brother Joel Williamson and his wife Elizabeth quitclaimed to him for $75 the 80-acre tract of land in Whitley Co. that their father Joshua had purchased on 20 September 1852.¹⁶ He is listed there in the 1860 census in the household of his mother Elizabeth Williamson, along with his brother Perry and half-sister Elizabeth Monroe.¹⁷ On 29 March 1864 he and his wife Melzene sold their rights to this land to his brother Perry for $150.^{18,19,20,21,22}
     On 2 May 1863, when the 160-acre tract of land purchased by his brothers Perry, Beniah, and Joseph in 1860 was being divided, he bought the southeastern third for $600.^23,24,25 About a year later, on 29 March 1864, he and his brother Beniah sold their shares, totalling 106 2/3 acres, to Morgan Jenkins for $2000.²⁶
     He and his wife Melzene are listed in Cleveland Twp. in the censuses of 1870 to 1920. In 1880 they had a boarder named John Jenkins, age 20.^{27,28,29,30,31} He was a farmer, with 208 acres of land in Cleveland Twp., 150 of it tillable. He bred and raised livestock, specializing in Durham cattle, and Chester White and Duroc-Jersey swine. He also made a large amount of maple syrup each spring.⁵
     He was a charter member of the United Brethren Church⁴ and of the Knights of Pythias Lodge in South Whitley.⁴

     Rose Ann Pence was born on 7 October 1843 in Champaign Co., Ohio.³ She married Perry Marvin Williamson, son of Joshua W. Williamson and Elizabeth Tharp, on 22 June 1862 in Whitley Co., Indiana. They were married by Dr. Elijah Merriman, justice of the peace of Springfield (now South Whitley).^4,5,6,2 She died on 5 May 1924 on the old Williamson homestead, three miles south of South Whitley, Whitley Co., Indiana, at age 80 from ailments incident to extreme old age.³ She was buried on 8 May 1924 at South Whitley Cemetery (Section U, Site 7-7-4) in Whitley Co., Indiana. Funeral services were at the South Whitley United Brethren church, with Rev. Swihart officiating, assisted by Rev. J. C. Bailey.^3,7,8
     She came to Whitley Co., Indiana, with her parents in 1850, and settled on a farm 2.5 miles south of South Whitley.³ After their marriage she joined her husband Perry on the Williamson family farm in Cleveland Twp., where they lived the rest of their lives.^{9,10,11,12,13,14} At the time of her death, she was living there with her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln L. Lee.³
     From 1870 to 1924 she was a member of the United Brethren Church in South Whitley.³
     She was named executrix of her husband's will, dated 23 December 1904 and proved 7 Jun 1920, and was left all of his property. At her death, the remaining property was to be divided equally between their children Wallace W. Williamson and Amanda W. Lee, taking into account any earlier distribution of property to them.¹⁵

     Wallace W. Williamson was born on 22 July 1863 in Cleveland Twp., Whitley Co., Indiana.^3,4 He married Laura Dell Knisley, daughter of William H. Knisley and Ruth H. McNear, on 2 June 1900 in Springfield, Sangamon Co., Illinois.^3,4 He died on 27 September 1934 at Linville Hospital in Columbia City, Whitley Co., Indiana, at age 71, from heart disease. He had been in poor health for several months, but entered the hospital just a few days before his death. Funeral services were at the Smith Funeral Home, with Rev. W. E. Bradley of Grace Lutheran church officiating.⁴ He was buried at Greenhill Cemetery in Whitley Co., Indiana.⁵
     He graduated in 1889 from Ohio Normal College in Ada, Hardin Co., Ohio.³ From 1889 to 1894 he was an instructor in the Whitley Co. schools.³ He also served as postmaster in Columbia City, being appointed on 12 October (or 1 December, according to another source) 1897, and retiring on 18 January 1906.⁶
     His primary occupation, however, was newspaper editor. In 1889, as a new college graduate, he bought the Weekly Tribune, of Rochester, Fulton Co., Indiana, which he published for about a year. On 1 January 1891 he bought the Columbia City Times in Whitley Co., Indiana, and began weekly publication as The Mail in January 1896. On 14 August 1904 it began daily publication. On 9 January 1905 he acquired the Columbia City Commercial from John W. Baker, who had been appointed postmaster of Columbia City, taking over that job from Mr. Williamson. He merged The Commercial with The Mail, renaming it the Columbia City Commercial-Mail. He also spent about two years working with newspapers in Memphis, Tennessee, St. Louis, Missouri, and Denver, Colorado.^7,1
     He and his wife Laura were living at at 316 S. Chauncey St. in Columbia City in 1910, and at 317 N. Chauncey St. in 1920 and 1930. In 1920 Laura's widowed mother Ruth was living with them.^8,9,10
     Before his marriage he lived in a hotel run by Benjamin Warren on Chauncey St. in Columbia City. He is listed there as single in the 1900 census, enumerated on 11 June, nine days after his wedding, possibly because whoever provided the information to the census taker didn't know he had recently been married.¹¹
     At the time of his death, he was president of the Columbia State Bank in Columbia City.⁴ He was a member of the Eel River Lodge of the F. & A.M. in South Whitley⁴, and politically, a "staunch Republican."³

     Amanda W. Williamson was born in March 1866 in Indiana.^4,5,6 She married Lyman Lincoln Lee, son of James H. Lee and Annie (?), on 6 September 1899 in Whitley Co., Indiana.^7,8 She died in 1940.⁵ She was buried at South Whitley Cemetery in Whitley Co., Indiana.⁵
     She and her husband Lincoln lived in Cleveland Twp., Whitley Co., Indiana, from at least 1900 to 1934.^4,9,10,11,12 They had no children.^9,10,11

     Lyman Lincoln Lee was born in April 1864 in Indiana.^4,3 He married Amanda W. Williamson, daughter of Perry Marvin Williamson and Rose Ann Pence, on 6 September 1899 in Whitley Co., Indiana.^2,5 He died in 1956.³ He was buried at South Whitley Cemetery in Whitley Co., Indiana.³
     He went by his middle name Lincoln, or the initials L. L.^4,6,7 He and his wife Amanda lived in Cleveland Twp., Whitley Co., Indiana, from at least 1900 to 1934.^4,8,6,7,9 He ran a printing office in 1900, was a farmer in 1910 and 1920, and was a poultry dealer in 1930.^4,8,6,7 He and Amanda had no children.^8,6,7

     Ora Ellen Williamson was born in 1873 in Indiana.^2,3,4 She died on 17 November 1884 in Whitley Co., Indiana.⁴ She was buried at South Whitley Cemetery (Section U, Site 7-7) in Whitley Co., Indiana.^5,3
     She also went by the name "Ella."⁴

     Ada Belle Williamson was born in December 1869 in Indiana.^2,3 She died in 1875.⁴ She was buried at South Whitley Cemetery (Section U, Site 7-7-2) in Whitley Co., Indiana.^5,3

     Melzene M. Wantz was born in 1842 in Preble Co., Ohio.¹ She was married by Elijah Merriman, J. P., to Henry Harrison Williamson, son of Joshua W. Williamson and Elizabeth Tharp, on 25 December 1861 in Whitley Co., Indiana.^5,6,7,8 She died on 16 January 1928 at home, four miles south of South Whitley, Whitley Co., Indiana. She had been in good health until a week before her death, when she became ill and gradually declined.¹ She was buried on 18 January 1928 at South Whitley Cemetery (Section U, Site 3-8) in Whitley Co., Indiana.^1,9,10
     When three years old, Melzene M. Wantz moved with her parents to the vicinity of Whitley Co., Indiana, and lived there the rest of her life.¹
     She and her husband Henry are listed in Cleveland Twp., Whitley Co., in the censuses of 1870 to 1920. In 1880 they had a boarder named John Jenkins, age 20.^{11,12,13,14,15} She was a member of the United Brethren Church in South Whitley.¹
     Her will was dated 11 July 1921 in Whitley Co., Indiana. Her son Rolla was named as executor. She left just $100 to her grandchildren Edna, Icel, Dollie, and Merritt Williamson, children of her late son Gideon, saying "I feel that this is ample provision for my said grandchildren in view of the manner in which they have treated me in that none of them have ever manifested any particular affection for me." (At the time, these grandchildren were all age 15 or under.) The rest of her estate was left to her sons Rolla, John, and Delmar, since they "have treated me with uniform kindness and respect and I have great affection for them." However, if her son John, who was in ill health at the time, were to die during her lifetime (and he did), his share was to go to Rolla and Delmar. She left nothing to her son Oscar, because "during the several years last past he has manifested no interest in my welfare and I feel that he is not entitled to any interest in my estate."^3,16