- RANDALL WILLIAMS, a resident of Janesville, was born in Chenango
County, N.Y., on the
- 13th day of March, 1812, and is descended from good old Revolutionary
stock. His paternal grandfather, McKane WILLIAMS, was a native
of Lancastershire, England, and in his native land married Miss
Anna CRANSON, who was born in Holland. In 1765, accompanied by
his family, he crossed the Atlantic to America, settling in Rhode
Island. When the Revolutionary War broke out, he espoused the
cause of the Colonies and enlisted in the service, taking part
in the battles of Lexington and Bunker Hill. He received a would
in the last named battle, and his son Henry, an uncle of our
subject, volunteered and took his father's place, continuing
in the army during the remainder of the war. Robert WILLIAMS,
a brother of McKane, was killed at the battle of Bunker Hill.
- After the close of the war, McKane WILLIAMS accompanied his
son James from Rhode Island
- to the State of New York, settling in Chenango County. Others
of the family emigrated at the same time, including Henry, before
mentioned, and another son unmarried. The father died at his
home in New York, in the one hundredth year of his age.
- James WILLIAMS, the father of our subject, was of the number
who emigrated from Rhode
- Island to Chenango County, N.Y. While residing in the former
State, he was united in marriage with Miss Betsy HARVEY, who
was born in Rhode Island, of English descent, and belonged to
a seafaring family. Of their union the following children were
born, all of whom grew to mature years, but of these only two
now survive; Cranson, who is now living in Jackson County, Mich.,
and Randall, the youngest of the sons. The deceased members of
the family are Betsy, the eldest, who died Feb. 10, 1817, at
the age of twenty-three years; Nancy married William SNIDER,
and died in August, 1882; David died in Jackson County, Mich.,
several years ago; George also died several years ago, near Utica,
N.Y.; William died at his home in Broome County, N.Y., March
22, 1886, at the age of seventy-seven years.
- Randall WILLIAMS, whose name heads this sketch, resided at
home on his father's farm until
- fifteen years of age. In 1813 the family removed from Chenango
County, N.Y., to Cortland County, where the death of the father
occurred. His wife survived her husband, and died at the home
of her daughter, in Wayne County, Pa. At the age of fifteen years,
Randall left the parental roof, and, going to Ulster County,
N.Y., engaged to work for the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company,
performing such work as a boy of his age was adapted to. He was
employed with the repairing force of men, and was there engaged
for two years, when, in the interests of the same company, he
went to Pennsylvania, working on the Pennsylvania section of
the canal. For thirty years he continued with that company, being
all that time employed in the department of repairs, which fact
is sufficient testimonial to his faithfulness to duty, and the
ability with which he performed his various labors.
- Mr. WILLIAMS now had a family of children, and desired to
make a change which would be
- beneficial to them. In 1855 he came to Rock County with a
view of making a location, but returned to the East without having
fully decided where to make his future home. In 1857, however,
accompanied by his family, he again came to Rock County, and
here leaving his family, went to Kansas, where the Border Warfare
of that state was being carried on. He was absent but a few weeks,
when he returned, and leaving two of his children at school in
Milton, went again back to Pennsylvania with his wife and three
children. On the 13th day of November following, the death of
Mrs. WILLIAMS occurred. She was a native of Pike County, Pa.,
and her maiden name was Mary Ann KIMBALL. Her death proved a
sad loss to her family, consisting of five children, the eldest
of whom was but eighteen years of age, while the youngest was
only three years. In the month of March, 1858, Mr. WILLIAMS returned
to Janesville, locating permanently in this city. For some time
after his arrival he was engaged in the bakery business when,
disposing of that, he bought a planing mill, which he operated
for several years. He next, in company with Milo CURTIS, engaged
in the wood business, and subsequently embarked in the grocery
trade, in which line he continued for a number of years. In connection
with the last named business, he also owned and operated, in
company with W. W. WALKER, a flouring-mill at Stoughton, Dane
Co., Wis. Mr. WILLIAMS has also owned several farms which have
engrossed a considerable portion of his time, and proved quite
renumerative. In the line of building, he has also done considerable
for the growth of Janesville, and now owns several good business
houses in the city.
- In the month of November, 1860, in Janesville, Mr. WILLIAMS
was united in marriage with
- Mrs. DUDLEY, who, in her maidenhood was Miss Laura Ann MASON.
Two children have been born to them - Lewis B. and Jessie J.;
while of his first marriage Mr. WILLIAMS has four surviving children,
namely: Franklin, Ann Maria, Alonzo and Mary. Among the progressive
and leading citizens of Janesville, our subject has ever been
found in the front ranks, and has borne his share in the upbuilding
and advancement of town and county. In politics he is a supporter
of the Republican party, and for many years he has been a consistent
member of the Methodist Church.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 859-860.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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