The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-12-06

Hon. Jesse C. Williams passed
away at his home on South Fayette
street, in this city. Wednesday morn
ling at 7:1S a. M. aged 80 years, :
] months and 13 days.
| Mr. Williams has been confined to
his home but week, during all the
fall having been seen on the public
square most every day, and on sun
day mornings in his accustomed
place at the Christian church. Mr..
Williams was the Oldest male resi-
dent of the city, and attained his
erect poise and all his mental facul-
ties up to the time of his death. he
| has long been widely and faNora Oily
known in this part OF the state. TOT
many years having carried on Dusl-
hess as a general merchant, at one
time representing his district In the
state senate. :.
He was born in Richmond, Madi-
son county, Kentucky, Aug. 22, 1872
| his parents being Richard and Cath
crime (Holder) Williams, the tatner
being native of Virginia and the
mother Of Kentucky. Both the
maternal and maternal grandfathers
of Mr.. Williams We're soldiers Of the
revolutionary war, also the great
grandfather who is known in history
as Colonel Richard Galway OF VIZ
rinfa. who was prominent in the
| early development and settlement OF
Kentucky, and who was a soldier IN
| the frontier and Indian war under
General Washington.
| Mr.. Williams acquired limited
education in the district schools or
| his native state, and the next year
after he put aside his text books ne
left home and went south, where ne
| was engaged on the construction OF
! one of the first railrads in that part
| oP the country, the line extending
between Atlanta and Chattanooga. 1t
was over this road that General Joe
1 Johnson made his celebrated retreat
during the period of the cyl1l war.
Returning to Kentucky, Mr.. Wllllams
/ for several years taught school. he
afterwards turned his attention to
merchandising in Mount vernon
Kentucky, and in 1857 removed TO
| Carthage, where he opened gen
! oral store. which he conducted con-
tinuously until about twenty-five
Years ago He was first located on
the south side of the public square,
afterwards moving to the west side.
and finally erecting business block
on the north side, which he still
possesses.
On March S, 1850. he was married
to Miss Mary Collier of Rockcastle,
Kentucky, whose father was mem
her Of the war of 1912, and on March
| S. 1901, they celebrated their golden
wedding anniversary, having with
| them at this time all their children,
making the event complete. Mrs
Williams passed away in 1907.
Mr.. williams built his present
home in 1866, and has resided there
since. It was first farm, but the
land has since been divided and much
of 1t sold off into town lots.
| Mr.. Williams was member OF the
Masonic lodge, and member of the
/ Christian church, having acted as
elder and Sunday school superinten-
! dent at various times. He always
took most active part in the work
Of the church. and his entire life
proves the value Of honesty as &
factor in winning success and the
respect of his fellowmen. He was
elected state senator for Hancock
/ and Adams counties in 1870, serving
! for one term, refusing to again be.
come candidate for the Office. He
has acted for several terms as alder.
man Of Carthage, and has been pres.
lident Of the council. His interests
.