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Shelby County
>> 1889 Index Biographical
History of Shelby and Audubon Counties, Iowa W Unless noted, biographies submitted by Dick Barton. Chauncey Williamson submitted by Dick Barton Chauncey
Williamson,
a native of Onondaga County, Town of Spofford, New York, was born May
23, 1823.
He is the son of John and Nancy Williamson, natives of New
York. When
he was eight years old his parents removed from New York to
Pennsylvania, remaining there one winter; they then went to Monroe,
Ashtabula County, Ohio, and here our subject dwelt until he was twenty
years old, receiving a common-school education.
When he left Ohio he
went to Oakland County, Michigan, remaining there about six years; here
he was employed in various pursuits, and in the spring of 1850 he
started to California.
On reaching Council Bluffs he stopped, and
concluded to remain in Iowa.
Mr. Williamson
was married April 15,
1851, to Miss Elizabeth J. Liston.
Seven children were born to them -
George H., Matilda (deceased), Henry (deceased), John, Nancy, wife of
David Baughman; Mary, wife of C. A. Beebe, and David.
Mrs. Williamson
was called to the other life in October, 1869, at the age of thirty-nine
years.
Mr. Williamson was again married February 22, 1872, to Leanah,
the widow of Milton M. Beebe, and daughter of William and Polly
(Headrick) Van Ausdell.
She was born in Lawrence County, Ohio, May 29,
1826, and was married to Milton M. Beebe in Lee County, Iowa, in 1850.
They resided in Shelby County from 1851 until 1857, and during this time
Mr. Beebe figured quite prominently in business and political circles of
the county.
He was engaged in the mercantile trade in Manteno, and was
elected the first sheriff of the county.
In 1857 he removed to
Missouri, and died there before the close of the Rebellion.
In 1866
Mrs. Beebe and five children returned to Shelby County; the children are
- Luella G. (deceased), wife of Isaac Fauts; Georgianna V., wife of
George Williamson; Cornelius A., Kate I., wife of Henry Urfer; Mary M.,
wife of Marion Hawley.
Mr. Williamson and Mrs. Beebe were married
February 22, 1872.
After his first marriage Mr. Williamson resided in
Mills County, then Harrison County, and in 1854 came to Shelby County,
and purchased 160 acres of land in Grove Township, which he still makes
his home.
He has made many valuable improvements, erecting a residence
and barns for stock and grain.
Mr. Williamson has done much toward the advancement
and growth of this part of Shelby County, and has held many
positions of trust among the people.
He assisted in the organizing of
the school districts in his section.
In politics his sentiments find
expression in the principles of the Republican party.
Mr. and Mrs.
Williamson are consistent members of the reorganized church of Jesus
Christ, or the Latter-Day Saints, he having served as priest in this
body for twenty-six years.
They have been zealous workers in their
church, and have done much for the religious element of the community,
and are deserving of the regard in which they are held. |