Sutter-Yuba County Biographies


This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm



 
LOWELL CORTEZ WILLIAMS
 
            The transformation wrought to California during the past forty or 
fifty years is largely due to the energy and perseverance of the pioneers of 
each locality, who came during the early days of the State�s development and 
identified themselves with the upbuilding and progress of their respective 
communities.  Such a man is Lowell Cortez Williams, who was born in North Haven, 
Mich., March 13, 1849, and later moved to Chicago, where he served his time as a 
machinist.  In January, 1872, he emigrated to California, and on February 5 of 
that year located in Marysville.  His first work here was for the Marysville 
Foundry; and after a short time there he went to Newcastle, Placer County, as 
engineer in the Julian Mill.  He was the first engineer in the Wheatland Mill, 
owned by Torsen, Clark & Lohse.  Going to Cashville, Yolo County, he was 
engineer in the flour mill there.
            On May 1, 1875, Low Williams, as he is familiarly called by his many 
friends, both East and West, entered the employ of the Marysville Water Company; 
and for over forty-eight years he has seen service with this company, a fine 
record, and one of which he is justly proud.  Starting as engineer, he was later 
chief engineer and then assistant superintendent, finally reaching the position 
of superintendent, which he now occupies.
            Always actively interested in civic affairs, Mr. Williams was chief 
engineer of the Marysville fire department from 1882 to 1888.  In 1894 he was 
elected city councilman from the third ward, serving in that capacity until 
1900.  He was one of the five progressive men who started Marysville on the way 
to its present standing as a city; improvements were put under way, many streets 
paved and sewers built, and other projects started which on their completion 
have done much toward the upbuilding and general advancement of the city and 
county.  Elected mayor in the spring of 1902, Mr. Williams served in that office 
until August of the same year, when he was forced to resign on account of ill 
health; but this temporary affliction did not long interfere with his resolute 
work for the good of the community.  Through his zeal the Marysville Water 
Company�s park in Marysville has been laid out and beautified until it is a joy 
to the people of the city.  He installed the rain-on-tap system of sprinkling, 
having 128 sprinklers going at one time, in itself a beautiful sight.  Mr. 
Williams has also been interested in horticulture, having purchased an 
eleven-acre tract in Sutter County, which he set out to peaches and apricots, 
and which he later sold.
            The marriage of Mr. Williams, which occurred in Marysville on 
September 24, 1876, united him with Mary A. Sullivan, a native of Syracuse, 
N.Y., and two sons were born to them:  Frank J., whose death occurred in 1916; 
and John D., of Marysville.  Among the early-day reminiscences of this old 
settler are the ball games he participated in as captain of �The Intrepids,� one 
of the early baseball clubs of Marysville; he played shortstop from 1875 to 
1883, and the team �cleaned up� all the other teams in the valley and was known 
all over the State.  While residing in Chicago, Ill., he was a member of the 
�Aetnas,� a semi-professional baseball team that defeated all the amateurs 
except the Stars of Brooklyn, the amateur champions of the country.  He is a 
member of the Old-Timers Baseball Association of Chicago, of which Al Spink is 
secretary, and Joseph H. Lawler is president.  Fraternally, Mr. Williams is a 
member of Marysville Lodge No. 783, B.P.O.E.  His friends may literally be named 
by the thousand throughout this section of California.
 
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p.  599-600