Earle Clifford Williams, manager for the Crosby Brothers Company, one of the leading drygoods firms of Topeka, Kan., was born in Mansfield, La., March 6, 1874, and is a son of John Perry Williams, a merchant, and at one time sheriff of De Soto parish, Louisiana, who was born in Pickens county, Ala., June 4, 1828, and died at Mansfield, La., May 4, 1893. The mother of Earle C. Williams bore the maiden name of Eliza Fidelia Crosby, and is a native of Keatchie, La., where she was born Dec. 1, 1841. She is still living, and resides at Mansfield, La.

Earle C. Williams was reared at Mansfield, La., and received his early education in a private school there. He later completed his education at the Southwestern University at Jackson, Tenn. On leaving school, in 1890, he came to Kansas, where he took a position as clerk in the Crosby Brothers drygoods store, at Topeka. The two Crosby brothers who compose that firm are his uncles, being the brothers of his mother. Mr. Williams did not like Kansas very well, however, it being so different from the South, so after clerking three months he returned to Mansfield, La., where he obtained a similar position in a general store and remained there two years. In 1893 he went to Chicago, and spent one year in the employ of Mandel Brothers, one of the great State street drygoods firms of Chicago, learning from them the drygoods business. In 1895 he again came to Topeka, and resumed his connection with the Crosby Brothers, taking charge of the dress goods department. He has been with Crosby Brothers since that time, a period of sixteen years. In 1908 he was made manager of the establishment, the continued success of which indicates that he has proved equal to the position. He is now also a stockholder and a director in the Crosby Brothers Company. Mr. Williams is a Democrat in his political views, in his church association is a member of the Episcopal church, and for eight years has served as vestryman of Grace Cathedral.

On June 14, 1899, Mr. Williams married Miss Caro Louisa Penfield, of Topeka, but a native of Chicago, where she was born, Dec. 13, 1874. They have no children. Mr. Williams is a member of the Commercial Club, but aside from that he belongs to no other club or secret order.