WI BIO - Columbia Co - WILLIAMS, Thomas J. Commemorative and Biographical Record of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, Wisconsin. Chicago: Ogle, 1901, pp 449-450 Thomas J. WILLIAMS was born 16 November 1864 in Caledonia Township, Columbia County, Wisconsin, a son of David J. and Margaret (JENKINS) WILLIAMS. The father [David J. WILLIAMS] was a native of Anglesea, Wales, and was a son of David and Mileah WILLIAMS, who spent their entire lives in that country. Two of their sons, however, came to America, the other, besides the father of our subject, being Hugh T. WILLIAMS, who has spent most of his life in Caledonia Township, but is now living in Baraboo [Sauk County], Wisconsin. [Sauk County is adjacent to and west of Columbia County.] [In the 1885 directory for Columbia County (Town and County Business Directory, Columbia County, Wisconsin, 1885. Portage, WI: Rockwood, 1886) are the following entries: "David J. WILLIAMS, farmer, Section 17, Caledonia" and "Thomas WILLIAMS, farmer, Sections 19, 12, 8, Caledonia."] It was in 1851 that David J. WILLIAMS crossed the Atlantic and took up his residence in Racine [Racine County, Wisconsin, where he made his home for six years, though a part of the time was spent in the Wisconsin pineries. About 1855 he visited Columbia County, and secured a claim on 160 acres in Caledonia Township, but did not locate thereon until the spring of 1857, removing from Sheboygan County with an ox team, and bringing with him one or two cows. He at once commenced to improve and cultivate his land, and during the 30 years he made [p 450] that farm his home he added to it from time to time until he had 560 acres. In connection with farming David J. WILLIAMS gave considerable attention to the livestock business, and in both undertakings steadily prospered, becoming quite well-to-do. Owing to ill health he removed in 1887 to Portage [Columbia County, Wisconsin], where he spent the remainder of his life in retirement from active labor, he [David J. WILLIAMS] dying there [Portage, Columbia County, Wisconsin] on 09 February 1890, at the age of sixty-seven years. He was a consistent and faithful member of the Presbyterian church of that city, and was a Republican in politics. While a resident of Caledonia Township he served as assessor and supervisor. His estimable wife [Margaret (JENKINS) WILLIAMS] passed away 24 March 1887, at the age of sixty years. She was a native of Cardiganshire, Wales, and a daughter of William and Ann JENKINS, who came to the United States with their family in 1847, and settled in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, where they lived as farming people until called from this life. [Children of David J. and Margaret (JENKINS) WILLIAMS:] (1) Our subject [Thomas J. WILLIAMS] is the fifth in order of birth in a family of six children, the others being: (2) William, who lives on the old homestead in Caledonia Township, Columbia County; (3) Sarah, a resident of Portage, Columbia County; (4) Griffith, of Caledonia Township [Columbia County]; (5) Hugh, who died at the age of twelve years; and (6) John C., a physician in Chicago [Cook County], Illinois. Thomas J. WILLIAMS acquired his education in the district schools of Caledonia Township [Columbia County, Wisconsin], and remained at home until he attained his majority, after which he spent two or three years in traveling in Minnesota, Iowa, and the Dakotas. In 1889 he located in Portage [Columbia County, Wisconsin], and two years later commenced dealing in produce, making a specialty of potatoes, poultry and dairy products. His business steadily increased, and he shipped large quantities of poultry and dairy products to Boston [Suffolk County, Massachusetts], while his potatoes were mostly shipped South. He sold out his business on 01 June 1900. He is a wide-awake, progressive business man, and has met with well-merited success in his labors. He has always affiliated with the Republican party, and attends many political gatherings, but has never been a candidate for official honors. Submitted by Cathy Kubly