"History of Lawrence, Orange and Washington Co.'s, Indiana"
Goodspeed Bros. and Co., 1884


HON. NATHANIEL WILLIAMS, a native of Ashe County, N.C., was born January 12,
1817, and when only nine months old came with his parents to Lawrence
County, Ind., then an unbroken forest.  His schooling was limited to the
primitive log cabin conducted on the subscription plan of that period, and
when seventeen years old he began learning the blacksmith trade, following
that vocation forty-five years.  December 27, 1834, he married ROSANNA
OWENS, who died Nov. 25,1839, leaving three children:  BELINDA, EXONY and
JOHN.  August 27,1840, SUSANNAH OWENS became his wife, and in 1852 they
moved to Morgan County, but four years later, returned to Lawrence
County,which has since been Mr. Williams' home.  Since 1856, he has passed
the greater part of his life in merchandising, farming and working at his
trade, the former being his present occupation.  October 10, 1869, his
second wife died after bearing him eight children, only three - WILLIAM J.,
MARTHA F. and M. E. - yet living.  Miss ELLA SHAW became his present and
third wife October 28,1880.  "Uncle Nat," as he is familiarly called, is one
of the well-known and esteemed men of the county as well as one of the first
pioneers.  He is a Democrat in politics, has been twice elected Justice of
the Peace, and in 1862 was elected Representative.  For fifteen years he
belonged to the Christian Church, but for the past fifteen years has
affiliated with the Missionary Baptist, serving as local preacher in each
denomination.


Data Entry Volunteer:  Diana Flynn  "ivie@tima.com"