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


COL. VINSON V. WILLIAMS, a native of Lawrence County, Ind., and ex-Sheriff,
is one of four children born to DAVID and ANN (McCLELLAND) WILLIAMS, his
birth occurring March 28, 1841.   David Williams was a native of North
Carolina, and came to Lawrence County, Ind., with his father, MAJ. VINSON
WILLIAMS, in 1818.  His wife's parents were natives of Ireland, from whence
they came to this country in 1792, locating in Pennsylvania, where Mrs.
Williams was born.  In 1819 they settled at Old Palestine, in Lawrence
County, Ind.  Here Col. Williams' parents were married April 21, 1836, and
their respective deaths, occurred in this county January 9, 1857, and
October 19, 1877.  V. V. Williams received only the advantages of the common
schools in youth. April 19, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Eighteenth
Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry - the first Company raised in Lawrence
County for the late war - and served through the battles of Pea Ridge,
Cotton Plant, Port Gibson, siege of Vicksburg, Fort Esperanza and other
important engagements.  At Port Gibson he was three times wounded, and of
the thirty-four men then comprising the company twenty-two were wounded or
killed.  He was discharged May 1, 1863, and on his return home recruited
what became Company B, Forty-Fifth Regiment, of which he was elected Captain
on organization.  At the organization of the regiment he was commissioned
Major by Gov. Morton and in June, 1865, was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel.  In
this capacity he served until January, 1866, when he was honorably
discharge.  Since the war he has been engaged in various pursuits,
principally farming.  May 16, 1867, Miss MARY OWEN became his wife, and
WALTER C., MINNIE N., NORA ., and JOHN D. are their children.  Col. Williams
is a Sir Knight in Masonry and a lifelong Republican.  In 1868 was elected
County Sheriff, serving four years, and for eight years was Deputy United
States Marshal under Messrs. SPOONER and DUDLEY.  (Shawswick Township,
Lawrence County, Indiana)


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