McWILLIAMS, Ira
Commemorative and Biographical Record of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, 
WI. Chicago: Ogle, 1901, p 712-713

Ira McWILLIAMS has for nearly twenty years been closely identified with the 
business interests of Lavalle, Sauk County [WI], as notary public, justice of 
the peace, U. S. pension agent, and also does conveyancing. He has resided 
in WI since the close of the Civil war, and is one of the loyal men of this 
state. Mr. McWILLIAMS was born in Pamelia Corners, Jefferson County, NY, 13 
Sep 1842, and was the son of Stephen and Mary (GARDNER) McWILLIAMS. His 
father came from Canada in 1835 and went to Lake View, Dane County, WI, in 
1855, removing to Richland County [WI] in 1859, where he resided on a farm 
until 1882. He then moved to the village of Lavalle, Sauk County [WI], where 
his death occurred in 1884. He was a consistent member of the Methodist 
church, and in political sentiment was a Republican after the close of the 
war. The mother was born in Canada in 1814.

Our subject was not afforded opportunity for attending school, but by working 
hard on the farm in the summer he was enabled to spend part of the winter 
months at school, and taking advantage of every opportunity gained a liberal 
education and taught school for several years after leaving the army. He 
enlisted 18 Aug 1862 in Company E, 8th Regiment WI Volunteers, the famous 
"live eagle regiment," and served until the close of the war, being 
discharged 05 Sep 1865, at Demopolis [Marengo County], AL. He saw heavy 
service under Sherman, Grant, and A. J. SMITH, in KY, TN, MS, AL, LA, AR, and 
MO. The first battle was at Frederickstown, MS, then followed the siege of 
New Madrid; Farmington; first siege of Corinth, 28 May 1862; Iuka; Corinth, 
03 and 04 Oct 1862; the important battle at that place; Jackson, MS, 14 May 
1863; attack on Vicksburg 22 May 1863; Richmond, LA, 16 Jun 1863; second 
battle of Iuka; Mississippi Springs, MS; and Vicksburg, 24 Jun 1863. He 
engaged in all the important engagements of the Western department, and the 
last battle was Spanish Fort, LA. The service was long and hard, but he did 
his duty manfully for the preservation of the Union.

After leaving the army our subject located in Forestville, Door County, WI, 
and engaged in farming and taught school during the winter months, and in Jan 
1867 removed to Richland County [WI], where he was engaged in the same 
calling. He remained there until 20 Nov 1880, when the removed to his 
present home in the village of Lavalle, Sauk County [WI], and has held 
continuous residence there since.

Mr. McWILLIAMS had four sisters who died in infancy, and four brothers: (1) 
Edward, (2) John, died 04 Jul 1894 in Vernon County [WI]; (3) George, 
residing in Newton, Vernon County [WI]; and (4) James, employed [p 713] in 
the flour mill in Lavalle [Sauk County, WI]. Ira McWILLIAMS was married 01 
Dec 1867 at Annapee, Kewaunee County, WI, to Mrs Eliza (GREELEY) HARTMAN, 
daughter of Ephraim and Caharine GREELEY. Mrs. McWILLIAMS' father was born 
04 Jul 1787, and died in Racine [Racine County], WI, 28 May 1846. Her mother 
was born in Canada, 22 Mar 1812, and died in Richland County, WI, 10 Jun 
1879. Ephraim GREELEY was a nephew of Horace GREELEY, and was of 
Scotch-Irish descent. Mrs. McWILLIAMS was born in Mendon [Monroe County], 
NY, 22 Apr 1843, and went with her parents to Cleveland, OH, in 1844, and to 
Racine County, WI, in 1845. Mr. McWILLIAMS is a member of the G. A. R., and 
is commander of the local post, No. 49. He served as postmaster of Lavalle 
under Harrison's administration, and was village clerk for a number of years. 
He is a stanch Republican in political faith, and cast his first vote for 
Abraham Lincoln. He is efficient in business, honest in his dealings and 
respected by his fellow men.

Contributed by Cathy Kubly