Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1892-10-22
OBITUARY..


Alfred Gillette Williams was born
of Welch parentage in Steuben,
Oneida county, N. Y, Nov. 2lst, 1882.
His parents with their family moved
to Adrain, Mich, in 1882, and there he
passed his boy-hood days. At the age
OF II years he went TO Gorham, Ohio,
to clerk In q store and thence to Grand
Rapids, Mich, where he engaged with
the dry goods firm of Talford & Porter.
At the latter place he acquired a
thorough knowledge of the mercantile
business in which good part of his
lie was spent. Then removing to
Maumee City, o., he engaged with a
firm for which he travelled in Iowa and
other Western States. That country
was new, and Mr.. Williams was obliged
TO endure the privations incident to
frontier life, but in this efficient school
of experience was gained that knowl-
edge of men and things so helpful in
his business career.
In 1860 he and his brother came to
Perrysburg and engaged in the dry
goods business. In later years he with
drew from this firm since which time
his attention.
More important than all these
things was the religious life OF Mr..
Williams. His parents were devout
Christians, members of the Baptist
church; grandfather had been a
Baptist minister. But in the year 1854
while in Maumee came the rich, deep,
spiritual awakening and experience
which left no doubt as TO his accept
ance with God, that marvellous touch
OF the Divine life of which the Savior
spoke when he said, "Ye must be born
again" Father Pope administered
the rite Of baptism by immersion in
the Maumee river. Mr.. Williams
united with the Methodist Episcopal
church, of which he has remained a
faithful and consistent member. He
loved the church and was ever aggres-
J sive for her welfare. For over 30 yrs.
in this church, now so sorely striken, ,as
steward, trustee, class-leader and Sun
day School teacher, has he exhibited
his deep interest in the cause OF Christ.
II financial aid was needed all that was
necessary was to inform Mr.. Williams
The pastors of this church will all tes-
tify to his invaluable assistance as con-
. sclor and friend.
In the Fall of 81 at the Lay Electoral
Conference he was elected one of the
two delegates to the General Confer.
ence. He esteemed it the greatest
honor of his life, and performed the
duties devolving upon such delegates
faithfully and we'll. In character he
was sturdy and fearless, upright in his
, dealings with men, a man whose word
, was as good rs his note. AS citizen
his love for Perrysburg was only ex.
ceeded by his love for family and
church.
, The illness that took MIR. Williams
from earth to Heaven came suddenly
Though pneumonia is 10th to give UP
her victims, yet no one felt the end
had come.
On Sunday morning when Rcv
Shaw went TO see him he lifted his
hand toward Heaven and his face be
came radiant as he exclaimed, "Oh,
, have received such blessing thI.
, week." Rev. Shaw hearing him OK
press his trust in God came away little
} supposing those to be his farewell
words to him. On Monday morning ,
little after four he passed away, leav
ing undoubted evidence of his accept
ance with God. -
The funeral of Mr.. Williams tool
4 place from the M. T.. church at 2 p. m.
, Wednesday, Oct. 10, and WAS one of th'
/ largest funerals ever held in an,
8 church in Perrysburg.
J. The following Ministers were presen
v and assisted Rev. Shaw: J. III. Beth
ards. of the Broadway church, Toledo
N. B. C. Love, of Columbus Grove; G
v b. Wiltsie, of Upper Sandusky; o. d
\ Wagner, OF Maumee, and A. p. John
son. G. A. Adams and Henry Warner
of this place.