WILLIAMS, Jeremiah McLane

JEREMIAH McLANE WILLIAMS was born Sidney, Shelby County Ohio April 25, 1822, was there 10 or 11 year. In October 1835 moved to Lucas County Ohio now Fulton County, Clinton Township, married Matilda Biddle March 25, 1844?( very light hard to read) We have had 6 children; 2 girls, 4 boys, 5 now living, we now live on the same land our father entered Sec. 36 in Clinton Township. I never have been intoxicated nor smoked or chewed tobacco, never been so sick that I couldn’t walk out the door.
August 23rd, 1886 J.M. Williams

JEREMIAH McLANE WILLIAMS whose death occurred April 15th 1894, was born at Sydney, Shelby Co., Ohio April 25th 1822, and moved with his parents to Melmon, Seneca Co., while he was yet small; when about ten years of age he went to Newark where he worked at the tinner’s and coppersmith’s trades for his Uncle Richard Harrison until October, 1835, when he came to Lucas Co., now Fulton Co., with his sister Lucinda and boarded with a family residing on the old Avary Lamb farm (now owned by Dr. Hollister) 1 ½ miles east of Wauseon. Occupying his time in chopping and clearing a piece of land on the south side of the farm lately owned by Elijah Burr, and erecting a cabin for his father’s family which came to this County later in the season; thus clearing the first land in Clinton Township and becoming the first white settler. Here he grew to manhood, enduring many of the hardships incident to pioneer life and on March 25, 1847 was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Biddle.
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The following is the version that actually appeared in the local newspaper
Jeremiah M. Williams
A GOOD MAN GONE
In the death of Jeremiah M. Williams the community mourns the loss of a pioneer of sterling worth and high character, whose word in all the years of his active life was equal to any man’s bond, whose life stood for probity and honor wherever he was known. A man of excellent judgment and sound sense, he possessed a sturdy independence of character that considered right and justice always, and stooped to no deception or trickery. Mr. Williams was born at Sidney, Shelby Co., Ohio, April 25, 1822 and moved with his parents to Melmore, Seneca Co., while he was yet small and when about ten years of age he went to Newark, Ohio, where he worked at the tinner’s trade until October, 1835, when he came with his parents to this county, settling on the farm now owned by Elijah Burr, one mile east of this city, Mr. Williams father being the first white settler in this township. Here Mr. Williams grew to manhood, and shortly after he had attained his majority he made his first purchase of land, 15 acres, going in debt for it and working out by slow degrees, at hard labor and low wages. To this he added from time to time, until at his death he was the owner of 284 acres of the best of land, without encumbrance, He was the pioneer in tile draining in this section and was a progressive farmer in every sense. He served as township trustee for many years and was often entreated to
accept of other positions of trust for which his good judgment fitted him, but he invariably declined.
March 25, 1847, Mr. Williams and Miss Matilda Biddle were united in marriage. Six children were born to them, five if whom are still living. Samantha, wife of James Biddle, Calvin, Tilden, DeWitt and Edward, all residents of Wauseon and vicinity, Mrs. Williams also survives him. His death occurred last Monday morning, the result of disease of the brain with which he has been afflicted some years. The funeral was held Wednesday and was largely attended, Rev. Coate conducting the services.

Tedrow, Ohio
February 20th 1896
Mr. Bayes
Wauseon, Ohio
Dear Sir: Enclosed fine a short biography of father and mother.
I intended to follow this with a short article on Pioneer life from
“The Stories of Pioneers”
Beginning with father’s first house and it contents – clearing the land keeping the family, cost and verity of articles used – going to mill, etc.
Markets- kinds of articles sold
Methods of going to market
Beginning of under draining and its evolution and results and many other items that I thought might be interesting to your association; but the grief has put me in such a state that I am unable to do any kind of mental work – hardly able to even read the daily paper.
Hoping this will answer your purpose at present.
Yours, Etc... D. W. Williams
(This letter accompanied the Williams Biographies above for Jeremiah M. Williams and his wife Matilda)