Martin L. Williams resides on section 34, Jefferson Township,
where he has one of the best farms in this part of the township. His
residence and fine buildings are noticeably good and his farm shows the
thrift of its owner and the care and skill of his management. He is a native
of Jay County, born in Jefferson Township June 30, 1850, a son of Absalom
and Leanna (Wise) Williams, his father a native of North Carolina and his
mother of Wayne County, Indiana, where they were married December 3, 1847,
his parents moved to Jay County and settled on eighty acres of land which
the father had previously purchased. He was quite a successful hunter and
game being plentiful, his family was always supplied with an abundance of
meat. He died January 7, 1852, and is buried at Fairview, Randolph County.
The mother survived until May 21, 1874 and is also buried at Fairview.
After the death of his father, Martin accompanied his mother to Wayne
County, where they remained until he was sixteen years of age, when they
returned to Jay County, where he has since lived. September 28, 1873, he was
married to Miss Louvernia Steed, daughter of William W. and Eliza (Heston)
Steed, a native of Jefferson Township, born January 14, 1857; to Mr. and
Mrs. Williams have been born five children, four of whom are living – Bertha
May born July 2, 1877; Grace Lee, born April 6, 1881; Orel W. W., born July
18, 1885 and Chester Claton, born September 16, 1887.
Mr. Williams
is one of the prominent men in the Republican Party and his name has been
frequently mentioned by his friends for official positions, he at one time
being the candidate for auditor. He is a member of the Odd Fellows Order.
Biographical and Historical Record of Jay County, IN
Lewis Publishing Company, 1887
Transcribed by Margie Pearce