River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-12-02

old homestead near Wheatland. But
of grandchildren he has fifteen. Some
are at Purdue University, others at
home near Wheatland, while three
were living with him in that city,
the children of his oldest daughter,
long ago deceased. kilograms sum
moning them all were sent this after
noon, but because of sickness Mrs.
Dunn is unable to respond The body
will lie in state tomorrow and Monday,
and then conveyed to Knox county for
interment. He will be buried on his
farm. six miles south of Wheatland, in
sight of mis- home and by the side of
his wife and flvorite SON
James Douglas Williams was born in
Pickaway County, Ohio, Jan. is 1908.
His parents were of Scotch-Irish blood
on one side and Welsh English on
the other,-a combination which ac-
counted for the marked physical
strength and mental qualities of the
man. His ancestors came to this
country about the middle of the
eighteenth century, and engaged in
agriculture George Williams, the
father of the late governor, settled in
Ohio at an early day in the history of
that state, and thence he removed to
Indiana, locating in Knox County
where the home of the governor has
always been. Young Williams enjoyed
but meagre facilities for education and
social training, so that he grew up to
be the plain, blunt, honest, hard head
ed, hard-fisted farmer, and as such
maintained himself in whatever posi-
ton he has occupied The father of
Gov. Williams died in 1923, leaving
family of six children, James being
the Oldest, Upon him developed the
largest share for the care of the family,
which burden he bore until 1881, when
he was married to Miss Nancy Hoff-
man, the daughter of neighboring
farmer. Purchasing a quarter-section of
wild land, the young couple began
life which continued uninterrupted I'M
til a few months since, when Mrs. Will
Hams died, after a protracted illness.
In the course of his long life as a farm
er, Gov Williams has succeeded in put
ting under cultivation a farm of over
1000 acres which is one of the best
pieces of farm property i'll Southern
Indiana. The public career of Gov.
Williams has been a long one, and with
the exception of his term in congress,
has been exclusively identified with
state affairs. In 1889 he was elected
to the office of justice of the peace by
his neighbOrs. In 1913 he was first
elected to the state legislature, and he
served seven years in the house and
twelve years as a member ofthe senate.
In 1856 he was elected Il member of
the state board of Agriculture, being
member for sixteen years, and for four
years served as president, which po-
sition he filled with great acceptability.
In 1874 he was elected a representa-
tive in congress from the second con-
gressional district, to succeed the Hon.
William f. Niblack, and before his
term expired was nominated by the
democratic party as It's candidate for
governor, as a compromise between
Franklin Lander and w. S. Holman,
between whom the convention was
nearly evenly divided. The contest
between Mr. Williams and Gen. Har-
rison resulted in the election of Gov.
Williams by n plurality of over 5000
votes, and in January, 1877, he was in
augurated in the Grand Opera House.
Gov. Williams was also the caucus
nominee of his party to succeed
Senator Morton in the extra session of
the legislature in December, 1872.
The last public appearance of Gov.
Williams was Just three weeks ago this
evening, when he made an address at
the dedication of the new dining-hall
of the house of Refuge at Plainfield,
and the last official act Of his life was
the respit granted Joseph w. Wade,
whose execution was fixed for next
Friday. Gov. Williams was man of
marked appearance. He was six feet
four in hes in height, and weighed ia
pounds. His tall, lIngainly figure
was well known everywhere,
and will be regretfully missed
from private life and from the
councils of the state by men of all par
and simple virtue of the man. He was
one of the pioneers of the state who
broke the ground and felled the woods
for the advance of II civilization that
did not forget to honor him, and which
he repaid by faithful and unselfsh SER
vice. This morning 5. r. Downey, his
private secretary, in view Of the prob
able death of the governor, sent the
following telegram to Lieut.. Gov Gray,
at Union City:
INDIANAPoLIs, Nov 20.--I respectfully suggest
that you come to the city at once.
SAMUEL R. DowNEy.
To which Mr. Gray responded:
UNIoS CRY, Nov. 2O.-Will come as soon as
possible. ISAAC p. GRAY.
Lieut.. Gov Gray, who now becomes
acting governor, is native of Chester
county, Pennsylvania His parents
moved to Ohio in 1886. Young Gray
removed to Union City in 1866, where
he still resides, and is engaged in the
practice of law. Gov. Morton appoint
ed him colonel of the 4th Indiana cav
airy, and he also raised and organized
the 147th infantry in 1864. In July,
1870, he was appointed consul at st.
Thomas, but declined the appointment.
He was delegate to the national libe-
raj convention of 1872 at Cincinnati.
The democratic convention of 1876 !
him for lieutenant govern
or, and he was elected on the ticket |
with Gov Williams.
. -
a a,,A md