The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1918-02-22
Death Of A Lee Williams.

1885, died Wednesday noon. Feb 90.
1918. His history is written with that
of Owosso and the county; one of the
first white children born in Shiawassee
county he was in reality both pioneer
OF the city and county. He was a son
of Alfred L. and Sarah Beardslee Will
liams; his father being the pioneer
resident of the county, having settled
in Shiawassee township in 1881, where
with his brother the late Hon. B D.
Williams, he built the same year. the
famous old Shiawassee Exchange a
trading post widely known throughout
central Michigan. Two years later
they made the first entry of land IN
what is now Owosso, coming here to
live soon thereafter
A. Lee Williams was about three
years old when his parents came to the
new settlement 30 that he had been q
resident of the city seventy nine wears,
always living within stones throw of
the home where he passed away. He
attended the old district school and
afterward a business college in Detroit
obtaining foundation for an educa
tion which was rounded ous by years
of practical experience i'd life. His. was
wonderful memory; all the events of
his long life being so firmlH4ixed in his
mind that everyone turned to him when
they wished to learn anything concern
ing the long ago of Owosso or the
county, none of the smallest details
seemingly escaping his observation or
recent years, so that he became the man
to whom all turned for information,
especially on land titles and descrip.
tions, early surveys, etc
When sixteen years of age he made a
trip to California to continue with his
father and uncle the work of develop
ing gold mine claims which they had
located two years previously, remaining
something over two years. The years
of 1863 "a were spent in Honduras
looking after the mining interests of
his father, visiting during his stay
many of the points of interest in Central
america. ~ ;,..sss,. rs .->l ~ e. -
Returning to Owosso, he entered
actively into the various acti vities of
life and for the past 80 years or more
his time was largely given over to the
work Of looking after the real estate
interests entrusted to his care. He was
married March 26, 1875, to Martha
Beardslee of Oakland county, who died
Feb. %. 1885. He served one term as
supervisor of the then first district; was
for several years secretary of the county
fair association, while as member of
the committee which installed the
water works system in the city he did
invaluable work, devoting practically
his entire time while the work was in
progress. Afterward he served for q
term of years as a member of Owosso 8
first board of public sworks. Always
an ardent Democrat-until the first
years of the, present national admins
tration4-he took an active interest in
party affairs and while frequently a
candidate for office, with no hope for
election, he never declined to do his
part for the success of his party
Death-while not sudden or mex
pected-came to his relief after five
years of suffering from heart trouble,
thus ending long and honorable life
as he would have wished to pass away
with little trouble to any one
The outstanding feature Of his life
was his rugged honesty aud regard for
the truth. His word once given was to
him an obligation not to be treated
lightly He had little use for or conf
dence in any person who showed him
self untrustworthy or who regarded his
word as of no consequence.
Surviving him are his brother, Alfred
q. Williams of East Orange. N. j.. and
his sisters Mrs. l. E. Phelps of Lars.
ing, and Mrs. E. o. Dewey of Owosso
Funeral services will be held at the
no ne of Mr. and Mrs. e o Dewey Ibis
home fer many years past-.at / .o'cloct
Saturday. afternoon, Rev. B. G.. Matt
son officiating. ~