Williams

Here is a PDF book I wrote on the Williams families of Fayette County, Illinois. 

1. Phyllis Jeane Williams: Born 14 January 1929, Assumption, Christian, Illinois; Died 6 September 1976, Arlington Heights, Cook, Illinois; Buried Chapel Hill Gardens, Oakbrook Terrace, Du Page, Illinois; Married 15 July 1950, University Christian Church, Normal, Illinois; Dr. Donald "Smithson" Valdemar Strong: Born 8 May 1928, Chicago, Cook, Illinois. (See Strong) Phyllis was the child of Nina Leola Askins and Charles Cornelius Williams Sr. Phyllis' name, as it appears on the State Birth Certificate is "Phillis" though she seems to always use "Phyllis" or "Phyl" when she wrote her own name.

Phyllis was high school valedictorian at Assumption Township High School in Assumption, Illinois. In 1950 she was granted a BA in education from Illinois State University and in 1961 she received an MS at Southern Illinois University. She was a commerce teacher at Rochester High School, In Rochester Illinois. She died of lung cancer and is buried at Chapel Hill Gardens, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois.

2. Charles Cornelius Williams Sr.: Born 18 February 1902, on a farm near Ramsey, Illinois; Died 28 February 1972, Assumption, Christian, Illinois; Buried Pleasant View Cemetery, Assumption, Illinois; Married 9 September 1920; Nina Leola Askins: Born 10 June 1901, Lakewood, Shelby, Illinois; Died 24 March 1992, Assumption, Christian, Illinois; Buried Pleasant View Cemetery, Assumption, Illinois. (See Askins) Charles attended school near Ramsey, Illinois. He spent much of his formative years playing baseball and racing in dog carts. Charlie learned his mechanic's trade at the Sweeny Automobile and Tractor School. He worked in a garage as a mechanic until he was married at the age of 19. The young couple bought a house at 408 East Illinois Ave in Assumption, and Charles opened a garage in town. Soon after their children were born the family moved to 401 East Samuels where the children grew up. In 1945, at the close of World War Two, Charles opened a Studebaker dealership that, due to lack of popularity of these vehicles, never received any cars. Needless to say the dealership soon failed. In 1946, Charles, who had been active in downstate politics, was given a job as a state road inspector through a friend, Senator Davis.

Once the children had moved out they did not need such a large house and they moved to 301 East Samuels. The decision making and punishment of the children was mainly a joint effort but Nina had a little more say in most matters. The only source of conflict in their relationship was the fact that Nina was deeply religious and Charles was not. Luckily, Charles chose passive resistance rather then active confrontation over this sore spot.

In 1968 Charles retired from the job of state road inspector. At this time his salary was slightly more than $12,000.00 per year. On 28 February 1973, Charles was watching television and Nina was in the kitchen, He stood up to change the channel and collapsed. His death was sudden and unexpected. After Charles' death, Nina lived on in the house for several years. Eventually she moved into the new retirement apartments that were built in the lot directly behind her house. She lived her until her death on the 24th of March, 1992.

Charles and Nina had two children: Phyllis Jeanne Williams who married Donald Valdemar Strong; and Charles "Stickum" Cornelius Williams Jr. who Married Wanda Eagan and had Pam and John. Sources: personal knowledge and papers; interview with Nina Williams in 1981; notes of Wanda Williams.

3. John William Williams: Born 20 December 1863, Williamson Co., Illinois; Died 28 August 1938; Married 2 May 1887, Vandalia, Fayette Co., Illinois; Ruth Elizabeth Moreland: Born 30 May 1869, of near Ramsey, Fayette Co., Illinois; Died 17 February 1966. (See Moreland) At the time of their marriage John and Ruth both resided in Hurricane Township. They were married by John Fischer a justice of the peace. John Williams was a farmer at Assumption, Illinois and at Oconee, Illinois and at Hanson, Illinois. Before becoming a farmer he worked on

railroad cars at Witt, Illinois. John named his son Charles Cornelius for his brother younger brother Charles and his older brother Cornelius. John and Ruth had four children: Charles Cornelius Sr. born 19 February 1902 who married Nina Leola Askins; Elisa Williams who died in infancy; Louie Williams born dec 31 1897 who had Harold (Willie); and Leigh his twin who died in infancy. Sources: Notes of Wanda Williams; Census records.

4. John Anderson Williams: Born about 1828 (22 in 1850 Census), Illinois; Died 1865/1868; Married 2 November 1851, Fayette Co., Illinois; Delilah Donaldson: Born about 1831, Illinois. (See Donaldson) After John's death Delilah married William Pope. A James M. Donaldson made affidavit at her second marriage. This may be a relative but he is almost certainly William Pope's brother-in-law having married Sarah Elizabeth Pope, William's sister. John A. served in Company I, 150th Illinois Infantry in the Civil War. The 150th was raised for 1 year service in 1864. This may have been a second enlistment of John A. in order to fill up his military service. In the Adjutant General reports for Co. K, 150th Illinois infantry, John is listed as living at Vandalia, enlisting February 9, 1865, and mustering out on January 16 1866. John and Delilah had five children: Mary Susan "Susan" Williams who married Aaron Cook; Sarah Williams born about 1852; Cornelius Williams born about 1856 who married Mahala Garland and then married Throney Cole; Charles Williams born about 1865; and John William Williams who married Ruth Elizabeth Moreland. Sources: 1850 and 1870 Census, Fayette Co., IL; 1860 Census, Williamson County, IL; 1850 Census, Montgomery County, IL; History of Fayette County, Illinois; 1821-1877 Marriage Book; Adjutant General's Report of Illinois;.

Delilah's Parents--

• I. John Donaldson: Married Miss Stone: John and his wife amy have died while the children were young. Delilah was living alone in Montgomery County, IL in 1850. Also living nearby in this county at the time of the 1850 Census were: Mary Donaldson 14; Robert Donalsdon 11; and Samuel Donaldson 8. 10 year later Samuel Donaldson is living with Delilah and John Williams in Williamson County. I strongly suspect that these were Delilah's siblings. (See Donaldson)

John Williams' Parents--

5. John Williams: born about 1795, Tennessee; Died before 1847; Married Delilah W. (Williams): Born 1798, North Carolina. Delilah later married John M. Donnell. John and Delilah had nine children: Charles Williams born 1821; Elizabeth Williams born 1822; Henry Williams born 1825; Nancy Williams born 1826 who married Joel B. Stone; Sarah Jane Williams born 1827; John Anderson Williams born 1829 who married Delilah Donaldson; Ezekial Williams who married Elizabeth Daniels; Cornelius Williams born 1836; and James Williams born 1840. Sources: 1850, 1870 Census Fayette County, Illinois; 1860 Census Williamson County, Illinois; Fayette County Marriage Records, Emailed message from Tammy Friedman of St. Louis Mo.; Family Tree Maker's Genealogy Site: Marriage Index: IL, IN, 1790-1850, Fayette Co.