Richard Hugh Williams

Richard Hugh Williams
1855-1941 

Recognition of Richard H. Williams    

                                              Blue Earth Historical Society and Museum

Richard H. Williams came to Minnesota with his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Hugh R. Williams.  

The family, with a yoke of oxen and one cow first settled on the farm now occupied by George Wagner, where they lived for three months.  Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Williams then  moved to the homestead of 160 acres southeast of Cambria village, which they acquired by right of preemption, paying two and one half dollars per acres.

Here they built a log home.Like other pioneers of those early days, the family lived on "Jonnie" cake and prairie chickens, which were so numerous they could be caught with traps.  Passenger pigeons and partridges were also included in the menu.

The corn was ground in the grist mill operated by David P. Davis, on the Little Cottonwood River, on the place known as the Dan P. Davis farm, easily identified by the Rainbow Bridge.  A sawmill was located there also.

By a large spring, just below the Williams farm, a tribe of Indians lived in a village every winter. Richard played with the Indian children until he was seven years old, when the uprising occurred in 1862.

During the outbreak of 1862, the Indians brought wild duck and geese to the Williams family and traded them for bread. 

Mrs. Hugh Williams died in 1867 and in 1881, Richard Williams, the son, bought the farm.  In the same year, on Feb 2, he was married to Elizabeth Evans, the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Evan Evans.

Elizabeth Evans Williams was born in Oneida county, New York and came to Judson with her parents in 1865 when she was five years old.  The family lived in Judson only a few months, when they moved to a farm south of Cambria.

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Williams have five children, who were all present at the celebration.  Leo, at home on the farm, Mrs John Walters, Dodge Centre,  Mrs. John Evans, Meriden; Mrs John Thomas and Mrs Alfred Espenson, Cambria.

The records of Richard Hugh Williams:

Census
1860 US Federal Census, Minnesota, Blue Earth, Butternut Valley P184
Hugh Williams, age 38, married, farmer, born in Wales, worth $ 250,
Margaret Williams, age 35, married, born in Wales
Catherine Williams, age 8, born in Wisconsin
Mary Williams, age 5, born in Wisconsin
Richard Williams, age 4, born in Wisconsin
William Williams, age 3, born in Minnesota
Elizabeth Williams, age 1, born in Minnesota

1865 State Census of Minnesota, Blue Earth, Genesco FHL 565714 #48
Hugh Williams,
Margaret Williams
Catharine Williams
Richard Williams
Elizabeth Williams
Ellen Williams

1870 US Federal Census, Minnesota, Blue Earth,Cambria P 314
Hugh Williams, male, age 38, farmer, worth $3200 real estate; $928 personal wealth, born in Wales, parents foreign born
Ruth Williams, female, age 25, keeping house, born in Pennsylvania, parents foreign born
Richard Williams, male,age 13, at home, born in Wisconsin, parents foreign born
Elizabeth Williams, female, age 12, at home, born in Minnesota, parents foreign born
Helen Williams, female, age 9, born in Minnesota, parents foreign born
HughT. Williams, male, age 5, born in Minnesota, parents foreign born
William Williams, male, age 9/12 months, born in Dec, born in Minnesota, father foreign born

1875 State Census of Minnesota, Blue Earth, Butternut Valley FHL 565717 P 234
Hugh Williams, age 45, married, born in Wales, parents born in Wales,
Ruth Williams, age 30, married, born in Pennsylvania, parents born in Wales
Richard Williams, age 20, male, born in Wisconsin, parents born in Wales
Elizabeth Williams, age 16, born in Minnesota, parents born in Wales
Hugh T.Williams, age 9, born in Minnesota, parents born in Wales
William Williams, age 5, born in Minnesota, father born in Wales, mother in Pennsylvania
Benjamen Williams, age 4, born in Minnesota, father born in Wales, mother in Pennsylvania

1880

Marrage  Minnesota, Marriages Index, 1849-1950
Richard Williams, male, age 21, born 1860, and Elizabeth Evans, female, age 19, born about 1862 were married in Minnesota on 25 Feb 1881


1885 Minnesota State Census, Blue Earth, Cambria  FHL 565734
Richard Williams, male, age 30, born in Wisconsin, married, parents foreign ,married to Lizzy Williams
Hugh T. Williams, age 20, born in Minnesota, parents foreign born
May Williams, age 4, born in Minnesota
Nellie Williams, age 1, born in Minnesota

1900 US Federal Census, Minnesota, Blue Earth,Cambria ED3 P71 FHL 1240757
Richard Williams,male, age 45, born April 1855, married 19 years,  born in Wisconsin, parents born in Wales, farmer
Elizabeth Williams, wife, white, female, born March 1860, age 40, married 19 years, 5 of 11 living children, born in New York, paretns in Wales
Leo Williams, age 4,son, white, male, born Aug 1895, age 4, single, born in Minnesota,
father in Wisconsin, mother in New York
May C. Williams, age 18, daughter, white, female, born Aug 1881, age 18, single, born in Minnesota, father in Wisconsin, mother in New York
Nellie Williams, age 15,daughter, white, female, born June 1884, sinle, born in Minnesota, father in Wisconsin, mother in New York
Maggie Williams, age 13,daughter, white, female, born Feb 1887, age 13, single, born in Minnesota, father in Wisconsin, mother in New York
Winifred Williams, age2, daughter, white, female, born July 1897, age 2, single, born in Minnesota, father in Wisconsin, mother in New York

1905 Minnesota State Census, Blue Earth, Cambria  FHL  928769
Richard Williams,male, age 50, born in Minnesota, married to Elizabeth

1910 US Federal Census, Minnesota, Blue Earth, Cambria  P 242 FHL 1374703
Richard Williams, head, white, male, age 55, married 28 year, born in Wisconsin, parents born in Wales, farmer
Elizabeth Williams, wife, white, female, age 50, married once 28 years, born in New York, parents in Wales
May Williams, daughter, female, white, age 28, born in Minnesota, father in Wisconsin, mother in New York
Leo Williams, son, male, white, age 14, born in Minnesota, father in Wisconsin, mother in NEw York, farm labourer
Winnie Williams, daughter, female, white, age 12, born in Minnesota, father in Wisconsin, mother in New York
 
1920 US Federal Census, Minnesota,Blue Earth,Cambria ED3 P 30 FHL 1820825
Richard Williams,head, white, male, age 64, married 28 years born in Wisconsin, parents born in Wales, farmer
Elizabeth Williams, wife, white, female, age 50, married 28 years, born in New York, parents in W
May Williams, female, daughter, white, age 28, born in Minnesota, father in Wisconsin, mother in New York,
Leo Williams, son, white , male, age 14, born in Minnesota, father in Wisconsin, mother in New York, farm labourer
Winnie Williams, daughter, white, female, age 12, single, father born in Wisconsin, mother in New York

1930 Us Federal Census, Minnesota, Blue Earth, Cambria, ED 4 P 6
Richard Williams, head, male, white, age 75, married at age 25, born in Wisconsin, parents in Wales, no occupation
Elizabeth Williams, wife, female, white, age 70, married at age 20, born in New York parents in Wales
Winnifred Williams, dauaghter, female, whtie, age 32, single, born in Minnesota, father in Wisconsin, mother in New York

1940 US Federal Census, Minnesota, Blue Earth, Cambria, ED 7-4 Sheet 3A
Richard Williams, head, male, white, age 85, married, didn't attend school that year, finished 8th grade, born in Wisconsin, living in the same house as April 1, 1935
Lisabeth Williams, head, female, white, age 80, married, didn't attend school that year, finished 8th grade, born in New York, living in the same house as April 1, 1935.

Newspaper Article Honoring Mr. and Mrs. R. Williams

as Pioneers

                                                                             

Obituary  "Richard Williams, of Pioneer Cambria Family, Dies July 30

Richard Williams, one of the earliest settlers of Cambria township, died at the Union hospital in New Ulm about 1:30 Wednesday night, July 30, 1941, following a brief illness lasting just one week.  He was 86 years of age and the last of the Pioneer Williams family.

 Mr. Williams was born April 1, 1855,  near Waukesha, Wisconsin, and came to Minnesota with his parents , the late Mr. and Mrs. Hugh R. Williams, when he was three months old in the summer of 1855.  The family first settled on the farm, now occupied by George Wagner, where they lived for three months then moved to the homestead of 160 acres southeast of the village of Cambria.  On this particular farm, the deceased lived for 85 years, having purchased the home place from his father in 1881.  Few people have lived so long in one place.

On February 25,1881, Mr. Williams was married to Miss Elizabeth Evans, the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Evan J. Evans.

Besides his wife, he is survived by the following children: Leo, at home on the farm; Mrs. John Walters, Dodge Center; Mrs. John Evans, Meriden; Mrs. John Thomas and Mrs. Alfred Espenson, Cambria.  There are also 22 grandchildren ad 10 great grandchildren.

A citizen of the highest type, Mr. Williams was known for his honesty and fine moral character, his death marking the end of a long and honorable career.    He will be sadly missed by his family and friends

Funeral services were held Saturday at the home and at 2 o'clock at the  Cambria Presbyterian Church, with Rev. R.J. Owen of Judson officiating.  He was assisted by E.K. Roberts, student pastor of Racine, Wisconsin.  Burial was in the Cambria cemetery.

  Several musical selections were rendered by Mrs. John Hughes, Mrs. Ivor Price, Mrs. Dave Price, Evan Bowen and Evan Price, accompanied by Miss Alva Evans.

  The pallbearers were the grandsons of the deceased, Oswald and Raymond Evans, William, Richard, Kenneth and John Walters.

  Among those who attended the funeral from a distance were the following relatives: Mr. and Mrs Edwin Williams and Mr. and Mrs Raymond Williams, Owatonna; Mr. and Mrs. John Evans and daughter, Wilma; Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Evans and daughter Shirley, Mar. and Mrs. Oswald Evans and daughter Mary Lou of Meriden; Mr. and Mrs. John Walters and daughters Mary, May and Lavonne and son Woodrow of Dodge Center; Mr.. and Mrs. Richard Walters, Kasson; Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Walters, Minneapolis; John Walters, Rochester; William Walters, Illinois; Mr. and Mrs. Neil MacDougall and children June and Clayton, Judson; Mrs. Esther Mallon and son Orville and daughter Bernice, Gibbon; Mr. and Mrs. Gomer Jones, Mankato; Mr. and Mrs. Lew J. Lewis, Judson; Mrs. Jane Owens and son Maldwyn, Will S. Hughes and Hugh S. Hughes, Butternut Valley; Mr. and Mrs John Williams, Lake Crystal.  Two grandsons, Floyd and Robert Walters were unable to be present.

The Minnesota Years 1855-1882

According to one account, the Williams family left Wisconsin for Minnesota sometime in November of 1855.  " Hugh and Margaret settled in Wisconsin where they lived for 5 years and then sold their land and moved to Minnesota in 1855.  "Thos. Jones, Evan Evans "Y Pant", and Hugh R Williams families moved to South Bend, MN in 1855; from Llanfihangel-Genau'r-Glyn,Wales." This could be a clue to Hugh's birthplace.

The community of Cambria Township was located in the northeast corner of Blue Earth County.  It is bounded on the north by the Minnesota River.  It was given the name of Cambria because many of the early residents were Welsh from Cambria, Wisconsin.  

What follows is an account taken from the history of Cambria Village during its early days that might shed some light on the hardships faced by Hugh and Margaret Williams and other early pioneers in the area. One has to admire and respect them for their endurance and spirit.

T 55  "History of Cambria Village And The Presbyterian Church."  

The area which includes the present day Village of Cambria was open to homesteading through the treaties of Mendota and Traverse des Sioux of 1853.  A few of the early pioneers settled in and around Eureka (now Judson) and South Bend, where Hugh and Margaret lived for a few months.]

The early settlers faced many difficulties and hardships including severe winters, four years of grasshopper infestations, prairie fires, renegade Indians, non-existent roads, and swampy conditions which produced multitudes of mosquitoes.  These "pests" were vilified in jokes and unlikely descriptions  such as "they are large as geese" and "as populous as one million to the cubic inch."    

The early Welsh emigrant pioneers were generally miners.  There were few farmers, carpenters, or blacksmiths among them. They came to Minnesota  unprepared and ill-equipped to farm, build homes, and struggle against the conditions they were called upon to endure.  They lacked the tools and expertise necessary to provide for their own needs.  As a result, they experienced low crop production and inadequate housing and the early years were very difficult.

This is an account of the first "mansion" built in Cambria.  "About the 12th of June, John E. Davis and family arrived in Judson from Big Rock, Illinois, and for a few days stayed at the shanty of William C. Williams, Judson, while erecting their cabin in the present town of Cambria, one of the most fashionable mansions of the day.  ...The home featured "two forked posts put up about ten feet apart, a ridge pole was laid on them, against which , slanting from either side, were placed a number of dry tepee poles and the whole covered with hay, except one end over which a quilt or blanket was hung for a door.  This was the first residence in the town of  Cambria and John E. Davis and family were the first residences.  Soon after this Morris Lewis and David A Davis built the second mansion in this town.  It consisted of a hole in the hillside, a hay-stack roof and a basswood log front.  Here the two pioneers dwelt like two badgers in a hole."  

With simple hand tools such as an with which they fell and split timber; the sickle with which they cut the wheat they began to make a home for themselves in an inhospitable land.  Supplies were obtained from St. Paul or Shakopee which involved a long, slow journey with oxen.  

But it wasn't all bad.  Cambria was in a location bounded on four sides by rivers and creeks which protected them from prairie fires.  River transportation was available.  The land was fertile. Water was plentiful. And hard wood was available for building materials.  There was much for which they could be grateful.  

The worst recorded winter in Cambria was 1856-1857 shortly after Hugh and Margaret arrived. If cold weather wasn't enough of a deterrant, that spring the Inkapadoota War broke out when Indians attacked and killed settlers in Iowa and Minnesota.  A company of soldiers were sent from Fort Ridgely near New Ulm to pursue them, but they escaped.  There was an Indian village in Cambria township about a mile east of the cemetery.  This must have been the Indian village below Hugh's farm.  According to family lore, the family hid in a cornfield from the attacking Indians.

According to the Lake Crystal newspaper dated September 12, ...." the family [Hugh and Margaret and daughter Catherine, and son Richard] left to go to southern Minnesota in November of 1855."    The following is a revised part of the Lake Crystal article. "They had yoke and oxen and one cow when they settled on the farm owned by George Wagner.  They lived there for about three months before they moved to a 160 acre farm southwest of the village of Cambria, Minnesota, which they acquired by preemption paying two and one-half dollars per acre. Here they built a log house. 

Like other pioneers of those early days, the family lived on johnny cakes and prairie chickens.  The chickens were so abundant they could be caught in traps.  Passenger pigeons and partridges were also included in the menu. What courage and faith did these early pioneers have to endure.

Regular church services were held in the home of Mr. David Davis a deacon in the Congregational church which was organized by the Rev. Jenkin Jenkins.   It would be called Salem Congregational.   

A tribe of Indians lived in a village each winter, by a large spring, just below the Williams farm.  Richard Williams played with the Indian children until the uprising occurred when he was seven years old.  Prior to the outbreak of 1862, the Indians brought wild ducks and geese to the Williams family and traded them for bread.

Hugh R. Williams joined the Butternut Valley guard to protect the settlers from the invading Indians. During the outbreak, the family took refuge in South Bend.  In their absence,  the Indians took one of thier horses and a colt. 

Mrs. Margaret Williams died in 1867, cause of death unknown.  Later that year, their daughter, Catherine,  married William Salisbury Hughes of Butternut Valley. Hugh R. Williams signed their marriage certificate as a witness. 

Hugh R. Williams married again on May 19, 1869 in Cambria, Minnesota, to Ruth Rees whose father was a minister named Joseph Rees.  They moved west in 1881 and lived in Coalville, Utah, long enough to have one child and then settled in Lewisville, Idaho. Their son Richard Williams bought the home farm in 1881.   T

"Hugh R. Williams", Hughes, Thomas. History of Blue Earth County and Biographies of Its Leading Citizens, Middle West   Pub. Co.:Chicago,1901. http://openlibrary.org/books/OL24156317M/History_of_Blue_Earth_County_and_biographies_of_its_leading_citizens