Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 333 - 334

THOMAS WILLIAMS. This prosperous and intelligent farmer, living on his homestead on the southeast quarter of section 6, Eagle Township, came to Sedgwick County in 1870, and located on his present place, which he took up under the provisions of the homestead act. He has his land well improved, and has set out six or seven acres of trees, which add much to the scenic effect of the farm, besides being of great utility. Mr. Williams has devoted much of his time to the raising of cattle, keeping about 100 head, principally Durham stock, and his success in this line of business is amply shown in his well-kept herd. He also raises many swine, preferring the Poland-China to any other breed. His cattle and swine, which he sells at home markets, are well known, and demand the best market price. He is also an excellent judge of horses, and is the possessor of some valuable ones, having one English draft horse, and some fine Clydesdales.

     The subject of our sketch was born in the Azore Islands, Dec. 28, 1832, being a son of Joseph and Mary Ann Williams, natives of England, neither of whom are living. Mr. Williams remained in his native island home until seventeen years of age, when he came to the United States via Cape Horn, landing in San Francisco in 1849. He staid there for several years, employed as a blacksmith and in a foundry shop. Desiring to see more of this great country our subject went from California eastward to Ohio, where he located in Summit County, remaining there about a year. While there he became acquainted with Miss Marietta Jordan, to whom he was married Oct. 30, 1859. She was born in Ohio, Dec. 13, 1841, being a daughter of John Clemence and Mary (Cook) Jordan, natives of Virginia and Ireland, respectively. The Jordan family are of French origin, Mrs. Williams' paternal grandfather having been a native of France, while his wife, whose maiden name was Jones, was born in Wales. Mary Cook, Mrs. Williams' mother, was an infant when her parents emigrated to the United States, locating in Ohio, where they remained, Mr. Cook being engaged in mechanical labor. Mrs. Jordan died Dec. 19, 1859, a short time after the marriage of her daughter to Mr. Williams, being then only thirty-eight years of age. She was an amiable, Christian woman, being a valued member of the Methodist Church.

     To her and her husband were born seven children, three daughters and four sons, two only of whom lived to maturity; the boys all died in infancy. Of the three daughters, Julia F., Lucy and Marietta, the two former died in early life, Julia having attained womanhood; Marietta became the wife of our subject. Mr. Jordan is still living, having nearly rounded out the allotted threescore and ten years, being now sixty-eight. He formerly attended the Wesleyan Church, but of late years has given it up. He learned the business of paper making when young, and continued its manufacture in Ohio until 1866, when he disposed of his property there, and moving to Wooster, Kosciusko Co., Ind., bought a sawmill which he managed for two years. He then removed to Etna Green, in the same county, where he engaged in the manufacture of wagons, but subsequently sold out and embarked in the mercantile business, combining with it the sale of drugs. Mr. Jordan married for his second wife, Miss Rebecca Bidleman, a native of Virginia, the ceremony being solemnized in Delaware County, Ohio. She died in 1872, leaving six children, all of whom are living. Mr. Jordan was again married in 1874, to Miss Catherine Aresman, who is now living, they being pleasantly situated in their Indiana home. Our subject and his wife have one child, George T., born Oct. 8, 1860, who lives at home.

     Our subject is classed among the pioneers of Sedgwick County. Coming here when it was in its infancy, he has ably performed his share in placing it among the most prosperous counties of this State. During these years his interests have centered in Eagle Township, of which he was one of the original settlers. He has watched its rapid development from a sparsely inhabited prairie to a prosperous township, with large and well cultivated farms, on which in the proper season, may be seen expansive fields of grain, fine orchards, herds of cattle, sheep, and horses grazing, and pleasant dwellings, whose exterior surroundings denote thrift and comfort; while the internal domestic economy and arrangements show the intelligence, culture and refinement of the owners.

     In politics our subject is a Republican, and a firm believer in the principles of his party. Mrs. Williams is an esteemed member of the Congregational Church.

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