California Biographies, San Joaquin Valley

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

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

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


 SAMUEL A. WILLIAMS. It is doubtful if any rancher in the vicinity of Bakersfield is more fittingly 
heir to the title of self-made man than Samuel A. Williams, owner of a thrifty ranch of sixty 
acres in the Greenfield school district, eight miles southeast of the town, and which is valued at 
$7,000. Located on the Kern Island canal, every foot of the ranch can be irrigated, and the 
improvements are many, all of them having been made by the industrious owner who is 
utilizing them in his alfalfa and hog raising enterprise. 

Samuel A. Williams has the satisfaction of knowing that every cent he has in the world 
represents so much honest toil and practical good judgment, for his youth knew little diversion, 
few educational advantages, and no influence to help him on his way. He was born in Ross 
county, Ohio, December 15, 1854. His father. Jonathan B. Williams, was an early settler of the 
Buckeye state, having come from his native Vermont. He died in Ohio at the age of forty-nine. 
After his death his wife with her sons and daughters, returned to Vermont and continued to 
live there for the balance of her life. Samuel A., older than his brothers and sisters, was nine 
years of age when his father died, and he manfully put his shoulder to the wheel and bolstered 
up the slender fortunes of the family with his earnest toil. Securing employment on various 
farms in the neighborhood, he remained in Vermont until his sixteenth year, when he removed 
to Connecticut. He worked for his board and clothes for a time, and later on sent all of his 
earnings to the dear ones at home. By the time he had attained his majority his responsibility 
lifted somewhat, and in 1875 he married Margaret O'Brien, a native of Connecticut, and of 
which union five children were born : May, who died at the age of nineteen ; William A., who is 
employed in Bakersfield ; Frederick S., an employe in the Coalinga oil fields ; Elmer, at home ; 
and Ray E., an infant. 

For some time after his marriage Mr. Williams continued to work by the day and month, and in 
1883 came to Bakersfield, where he was employed by the Kern County Land Company, 
remaining with the company for eight years and seven months, during that time looking after 
their canals. Upon the death of the manager of the company he resigned his position, and with 
his earnings purchased his present farm, now one of the best in the district. Mr. Williams is a 
Democrat who leaves to others the trouble of office seeking and holding. Fraternally he is 
connected with the Woodmen of the World. He is honorable in all of his dealings, public spirited 
and generous, and a model of kindness and consideration in his family and towards his friends.