BY BURGESS WILLIAMS
1. Major Robert J. WILLIAMS. Born on 2 Oct 1825 in Prince Edward County, Virginia. Came with father (John R.Williams_Attorney At Law) to Ray County, Missouri, in 1836. Robert J. died in Swanwick, MO (suburb of Richmond) on 16 Feb 1902, he was 76. Buried on 20 Feb 1902 in Family Cemetery, on his farm. Occupation: Soldier, Pioneer Farmer for 62 years. Education: country schools. Religion: Presbyterian. Epitaph: "A man who was the soul of honor..." RICHMOND MISSOURIAN 20 Feb 1902.
Major, 3rd. Missouri Infantry, Company A F&S, Confederate States Army, during the War Between the States aka the American Civil War. Enlisted 7 Dec 1861 in Richmond, Missouri. Elected Captain 28 Dec 1861. Organized the first company (A) in the 3rd Missouri Infantry, First Brigade (aka Cockrell's Brigade) commanded by Col. Burbridge, later Col. F. M. Cockrell, and joined General Sterling Price during the first year of the war at Springfield, Missouri.
"From East to West and from North to South a nation trembled beneath the tread of mighty armies, and roar of conflicting arms shook a great continent. The brigades of the Missourians were composed of the noblest blood of the State; young men of promise, pride, of honor, of manhood, of expectation; young men who loved home and country, were proud of their State and whose courage and devotion the State will forever boast." The Confederate Mail Carrier by James Bradley, 1894. They once numbered near eight thousand but could not muster 500 for duty at the close of hostilities. Overwhelming numbers compelled their submission. The missing were buried in a soldier's grave across the battlefields of Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee.
Major Williams served in the engagements of Lexington, Missouri, the Battle of Pea Ridge (Elkhorn Tavern), Arkansas, in the Ozark Mountains west of the Mississippi where the Union Army under Gen. Samuel Ryan Curtis defeated the combined Confederate Army of the West commanded by Maj. General Earl Van Dorn (including Maj. General Price's Missouri State Guard that had been chased from Missouri by the Curtis forces) on Mar 6-8, 1862 during the first year of the War, putting Missouri solidly in Northern control; and east of the Mississippi Riversweat Hatchie Bridge, Iuka, Mississippi on September 19 and Corinth, Mississippi, in October 1862 when General U. S. Grant tried to take Vicksburg by land. This is where General Price first joined General Beauregard's army (Repulsed by General Rosecranz), Port Gibson and Baker's Creek, Mississippi; Grand Gulf and Big Black River Bridge on May 17, 1863 before retreating to Vicksburg, Mississippi; the siege of Vicksburg and the Georgia Campaign impeding General W. T. Sherman's march to the sea from the west through Savannah, Georgia in 1864-65. He was promoted to the rank of Major in the reorganization of 1863 in Corinth, Mississippi, and was severely wounded in the hip on 5 Nov 1864 in the battle of Altoona outside Atlanta, Georgia.
Twice taken prisoner by Union forces, once at the capitulation of Vicksburg on 4 Jul 1863 after a 47-day defense (Paroled 8 Jul 1863 at Demopolis, Alabama) when Gen. Ulysses S. Grant defeated the Confederate forces under Gen. John C. Pemberton, one day after the Southern defeat at Gettysburg (The two Union victories marked the turning point of the War) and again when he closed his Campaign with the surrender of Confederate forces on April 9 at Fort Blakely outside Mobile, Alabama__on the very day that General Lee surrendered to General Grant at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia, 9 April 1865. (President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated on 14 April 1865.) Major Williams was 2nd paroled on 13 May 1865 and first sent to Enterprise, Mississippi, and then to Parole Camp at Meridian, Mississippi, following the surrender.
Upon discharge from the Civil War he was awarded his mule, Old Jule, who belonged to a battery team at Vicksburg where the mule was twice wounded by a minnie ball. Major Williams took Old Jule to his farm in Ray County, Missouri and, grateful for her long and faithful service, tenderly cared for her until her death at age 37.
Veteran of the Mormon and Mexican Wars. He served in Price's Regiment under Col. Alexander William Doniphan, the 1C1R of his wife, in the Mexican War from 1846-47. Went to the California Gold Country and Northwest Oregon for two years in 1850 and returned to Missouri in 1852. Fought in the war in "Bleeding Kansas" in the battle of Osawatomie in 1856.
A biographical account at the time of his death published in the Richmond Conservator recorded on Feb 20, 1902 that "no truer or more honorable man ever lived within the borders of Ray County, and by his death the County lost an honorable and useful citizen, and in the cause of righteousness and honesty a noble advocate. He served with distinction throughout the bloody conflict between the states and was as brave and true a soldier as ever shouldered a musket... The thrilling story of the Third Missouri C.S.A. and its Brigade is the true military story of the services of Major Robert Jones Williams, great Ray Countian--grand soul, noble citizen, hero of two wars, fearing none but God!"
At the close of the "War" he went back to his farm near Swanwick and from that time until his death he was one of the best known and most successful farmers and businessmen of the "Free State of Ray." He was also involved in banking, railroading and was President of the Williams Coal Company operating mines in Swanwick until near his death in 1901.
State Historical Society of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, June 22, 1961 sought information in order to include Major Williams' home in Ray County as one of the historic homes in the state of Missouri. The home was built in 1867, after his return from the War, by homebuilder Rueben Brown.
Shown here in front of the home, left to right, the Major, small child, son Anderson, wife Mary Jane by tree, two young ladies, small child, and daughter Lucy. Major Williams is buried in the family cemetery adjoining this property where Old Jule is also buried.
Nat. Archives microfilm box 000380, roll 0016, record 00000727
On 21 Aug 1845 when Robert J. was 19, he first married Mary Jane Thornton ADAMS, daughter of Elkanah ADAMS & Margery Treadway, in Ray County Missouri. Born on 23 Dec 1827 in Clark County, Kentucky. Mary Jane died in Ray County, Missouri on 5 Jan 1891, she was 63.
They had the following children:
2 i. Anderson (Ance) Elkany (1851-1939)
3 ii. Willis Branch (1854-1940)
iii. Lucy. Born on 8 Jan 1858. Lucy died at Swanwick, Missouri, on 10 Jul 1905, having never left the Williams Homestead. She was 47.
iv. Franklin. Born ca 1866 in Ray County, Missouri.
v. Juliett F.. Born ca 1847 in Missouri, died as a child.
vi. Marjorie.. Born in Missouri. Died as a child.
vi. Robert H.. Born ca 1850 in Missouri. Murdered 12 Dec 1866.
In 1892 when Robert J. was 66, he second married
Laura M. PERKINS, daughter of Parthena Ball.
They had one child, namely:
4 i. James Farris.
Born 2 Feb 1893 in Ray County Missouri. Died 29 November 1977 in Westminister, Adams County, Colorado.
Second Generation:
2. Anderson (Ance) Elkany WILLIAMS. Born on 26 Nov 1851 in Ray County, Missouri. Anderson (Ance) Elkany died in San Antonio, Texas on 6 Dec 1939, he was 88. Buried in Sunny Slope cemetery, Richmond, MO. Occupation: Farmer, Store Manager and Postmaster of Swanwick. Religion: Presbyterian.
The Richmond Conservator 7 Dec 1939 reported that " He never accumulated riches, but he did better than that...he remembered the admonition that a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches."
Member of the Richmond Masonic Order.
On 4 Oct 1871 when Anderson (Ance) Elkany was 18, he first married Susan C. CARTER. Born in 1852 in Richmond, MO. Susan C. died in Ray County, Missouri on 18 Apr 1886, she was 34.
They had the following children:
5 i. Charlotte Louise (Lottie) (1873-1960)
6 ii. Lee Anna (1875-1970)
iii. Robert Taylor. Born on 22 Nov 1877.
7 iv. Zula (1881-1957)
v. infant son (Died as Infant). Born on 31 Mar 1886. infant son died on 31 Mar 1886.
Anderson (Ance) Elkany second married Nancy E. McGAUGH, daughter of John A. McGAUGH & Louisa Mayes. Born in April 1870. Nancy E. died on 9 Jul 1936, she was 66.
They had the following children:
8 i. Rowena (Ena) (1894-)
9 ii. Arah (1892-)
10 iii. Carl (1897-)
3. Willis Branch WILLIAMS. Born in 1854 in Missouri. Willis Branch died in 1940, he was 86.
Willis Branch first married Vallie CARTER.
They had the following children:
11 i. Arthur Lee. (8 Mar 1879-8 Mar 1957)
12 ii. Lonny F. (1878-1961)
Willis Branch second married Susan Hill
They had the following children:
i. Litman L.
ii. Willie
iii. Julia.
4. James Farris Williams. James Farris married
Dorothea "Dora" Matilda Gerstner.
They had the following children:
13 i. Farris Andrew (twin)
ii. Laura Marie (twin)
iii. Robert (Babe) DeForest
iv. LeRoy Nelson
v. Venita Louise. Died as infant (twin)
vi. Vernal Lorraine. Died as infant (twin)
Third Generation:
5. Charlotte Louise (Lottie) WILLIAMS.
Born on 17 Feb 1873. Charlotte Louise died on 12 Jun 1960, she was 87.
On 21 Dec 1892 when Charlotte Louise was 19, she married John Henry LILES.
Born on 27 Jan 1864. John Henry died on 22 Sep 1926, he was 62.
They had the following children:
i. Oscar Robert. Born on 6 Feb 1894. Oscar Robert died on 6 Aug 1980, he was 86.
ii. James Madison.
Born 29 Sep 1895 James Madison died 29 Jan 1976, he was 80. On 11 Dec 1915, at the age of 20, he married Grace Ruth Brown.
They had twelve children, to wit:
iv. Mary Susan. Born on 18 Oct 1900. Mary Susan died on 20 Mar 1940, she was 39. Mary Susan married Charles O. BALLARD and they had five children.
14 v. Zula Christine (1909-2002)
6. Lee Anna WILLIAMS. Born on 11 Aug 1875 in Ray County, Missouri. Lee Anna died in Lexington MO on 12 May 1970, she was 94.
On 6 Dec 1900 when Lee Anna was 25, she married George Thomas HARRIS, son of Absalom B. HARRIS & Mary E. TAYLOR, in Richmond, MO. Born on 15 May 1871 in Kansas City, Kansas. George Thomas died in Lexington MO on 29 Jan 1939, he was 67.
They had the following children:
i. Anderson Absolam. Born on 10 Jul 1903. Anderson Absolam died on 17 Apr 1980, he was 76.
ii. Thomas Taylor. Born on 12 Mar 1908. Thomas Taylor died on 28 Jun 1930, he was 22.
15 iii. Robert Lee (1909-1978)
iv. George Vernon. Born on 22 Oct 1911 in Lexington MO. George Vernon died in Independence MO on 21 Sep 1997, he was 85. Occupation: Real Estate Broker. Religion: Methodist.
In 1956 when George Vernon was 44, he married Ola V. LOOMIS.
v. Lula Katherine.
Born on 25 Jan 1918 in Lexington MO. Lula Katherine died in Lexington, Lafayette County, MO on 11 Dec 2002, she was 84. Occupation: Real Estate Sales Associate. President, Professional Womens Club, Lexington. Member of the UNITED DAUGHTERS OF THE CONFEDERACY, Missouri Division, Lexington Chapter No. 2049, Lexington, County of Lafayette.
7. Zula WILLIAMS. Born on 23 Jan 1881 in Swanwick, MO. Zula died in Santa Ana, California on 22 Aug 1957, she was 76. Buried on 26 Aug 1957 in Fairhaven Memorial Park, Santa Ana, CA. Occupation: Homemaker. Religion: Protestant.
At age 23, Zula
married Thomas Harbor JAMES
on Wednesday, May 4, 1904 at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. A.E. Williams, Swanwick, Missouri (on the site of the homestead of Major R. J. Williams, grandfather of the bride and one of Missouri's grandest men and hero of two wars). Happiness and beauty reigned, and it was a model wedding.
It was reported at the time that the bride "is an unusually clever and pretty girl, indeed one of Missouri's fairest women, blessed with beauty and good nature." The bridegroom was referred to as "so very well and intimately known to the Missourian man and one of the Nature's gentlemen, a true man, above the average in brains and a tower of strength as to character. He is a Ray Countian and comes of the best blood of the country, in this he and his bride are alike.
'Tom' has a modern home on a large ranch near Hartsell, Colorado, and to the picturesque and romantic Western land he takes his bride to live."
They had the following children:
16 i. Eva Tempia (1907-1993)
ii. Howard Edwin. Born ca 1916 in Colorado. Cpl. James, 28, lost his life Oct 24, 1944, as a Japanese POW when the unmarked Japanese ship Arisan Maru was sunk by U.S. forces. Howard fought through Bataan and Corregidor and was captured w/ Wainwright.
No burial, lost at sea.
Occupation: U. S. Marine.
8. Rowena (Ena) WILLIAMS. Born on 26 Mar 1894.
Rowena (Ena) married John Doe JACOBS.
They had one child:
i. John.
9. Arah WILLIAMS. Born on 20 May 1892.
Arah married Roy HAMILTON.
They had one child:
i. Dorothy.
Dorothy married RYBOCH.
10. Carl WILLIAMS. Born on 12 Dec 1897.
They had one Child:
i. Marjorie.
Marjorie married John Doe EARHART.
11. Arthur Lee WILLIAMS.
Born on 8 Mar 1879 in Ray County Memorial Hospital. Arthur Lee died on 8 Mar 1957. Buried in Sunny Slope Cemetery, Richmond, MO. Occupation: Farmer and Livestock Man. Religion: Old Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church.
On 24 May 1899 when Arthur Lee was 20, he first married Lula Lawrence SANDERSON. Lulu born 30 May 1878 died on 30 Dec 1940 in Ray County MO. Buried in Sunny Slope cemetery, Richmond, MO.
They had three children:
i. Arthur B.
ii. Cleopatra. Cleopatra married Charles M. Dale. They had one child, Harry Allen Dale. Harry Allen Dale married Alice Jane Huffman. They had two children, namely, Allen Dale and Veronica Dale.
iii. Faye Sanderson
Arthur Lee second married Helen Paulson. He third married Thelma Phillips.
12. Lonny F. WILLIAMS. Born on 1 Feb 1878. Lonny F. died in Kansas City, MO. ?? in 1961, he was 82. Buried in Crowley cemetery, Rayville, MO. Occupation: Farmer.
In 1905 when Lonny F. was 26, he married Edith McGAUGH. Edith McGAUGH died in 1910.
They had one child:
i. Valle Marie.
13. Farris Andrew Williams. Born on 24 Aug 1918 in Omaha, Nebraska. Farris Andrew died in Kansas City, MO. on 17 Jun 1979, he was 60.
In Jun 1940 when Farris Andrew was 21, he married Martha Elizabeth Killion.
They had the following children:
17 i. Deborah (Debbi) Kay (1949-)
18 ii. Loretta Elizabeth (1942-)
19 iii.Robert Andrew (1943-)
Fourth Generation:
14. Zula Christine LILES. Born on 7 Feb 1909.
On 17 May 1928 when Zula Christine was 19, she married William Howard PICKELL.
They had the following children:
i. Phyllis Jean. Phyllis Jean died in 1995.
20 ii. Billy Ann.
iii. Hugh Lynden.
15. Robert Lee HARRIS. Born on 18 Apr 1909. Robert Lee died in Feb 1978, he was 68.
Robert Lee married Marie Teressa HOBBS.
They had the following children:
21 i. Robert Marvin
22 ii. JoAnn (Joan) (1938-)
16. Eva Tempia JAMES. Born on 2 Jul 1907 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Eva Tempia died in Placentia, CA on 12 Jan 1993. She was 85. Buried in Rose Hills Cemetery. Occupation: Homemaker. Education: College-University of Southern California and UCLA. Religion: Episcopal.
Eva Tempia
married Elmer Burgess WILLIAMS II, son of Elmer Burgess WILLIAMS & Sophia Leake COCHRAN.
Born on 19 Sep 1898 in Shelby Co. Memphis, TN. Elmer Burgess died in Placentia, CA on 5 Jan 1977. He was 78. Buried in Rose Hills Cemetery. Occupation: Wholesale Lumber Broker. Education: University of Tennessee and VMI. Religion: Episcopal.
They had the following children:
23 i. Burgess (1939-)
24 ii. Thomas Howard James (1942-)
17. Deborah (Debbie) Kay Williams. Born on 6 Jan 1949.
On 25 Feb 1972 when Deborah (Debbie) Kay was 23, she married William (Bill) SOFKA, in Kansas City, Missouri.
They had the following children:
i. Anice Richelle. Born on 14 Apr 1974;
ii. Dana Elizabeth. Born on 2 Oct 1975;
iii. Calyn Kristine. Born on 16 May 1977.
18. Loretta Elizabeth Williams. Born on 3 Mar 1942.
Loretta Elizabeth married Patrick M. Graves on 23 Oct 1960 in Kansas City, MO.
They had the following children:
i. Traci Lynn. Born on 15 Jan 1962;
ii. Lisa Ann. Born on 18 Apr 1963;
iii. Michael Patrick. Born on 15 March 1968.
iv. Kevin Andrew. Born on 31 May 1973.
19. Robert Andrew. Born on 8 May 1943.
Robert married Elaine Kay Ellis.
They had one child:
i. Christopher Robert. Born on 23 Jan 1965.
Fifth Generation:
20. Billy Ann PICKELL.
Billy Ann married Jullian Amber
They had one Child, namely ?? (Bunny).
21. Robert Marvin HARRIS.
Child:
25 i. Stephan V.
22. JoAnn (Joan) HARRIS. Born on 31 Dec 1938 in Lexington, MO. Occupation: Homemaker. Education: Liberty Schools.
On 2 May 1958 when JoAnn (Joan) was 19, she married Maxwell (Max) Lavern PIKE, son of Herbert PIKE & Goldie Pearl GILBY, in Liberty, MO. Born on 11 Sep 1936 in Agency, MO. Occupation: machinist, Trans World Airlines.
They had the following children:
26 i. Desra Deanne (1959-)
27 ii. Carrie Lynn (1962-)
23. Burgess WILLIAMS III. Born on 26 Jul 1939 in Los Angeles, CA. Occupation: Lawyer. Education: B.A. University of Colorado, Doctorate of Laws Golden Gate University. Religion: Presbyterian.
In 1963 when Burgess was 23, he married
Judith Anne Elizabeth WILLIAMS, daughter of Dr. John Milton WILLIAMS Jr. & Lucile Margaret SNOOR. Judith
was born on 5 Aug 1940 in Aurora, Illinois, and was a public school teacher in Mendocino County, CA.
They had the following children:
28 i. John Burgess (1963-)
29 ii. Thomas Harbor (1964-)
24. Thomas Howard James WILLIAMS. Born on 2 Feb 1942. Occupation: Home Builder. Education: B.A. and M.B.A. University of Southern California. Religion: Presbyterian.
Thomas Howard James married Rosalind CARUSO.
They had the following children:
30 i. Jeffery
ii. Gregory.
Sixth Generation:
25. Stephan V. HARRIS.
Stephan V. married Linda.
They had the following children:
31 i. Vicki Lynn
ii. Jack Lee. Born in Sep 1961. Jack Lee died on 11 Aug 1990, he was 28.
26. Desra Deanne PIKE. Born on 18 Jul 1959.
Desra Deanne married Wayne COGGINS.
They had the following children:
i. Rachel Arianna. Born on 16 Jan 1982.
ii. Joshua Wayne. Born on 31 Jul 1985.
iii. Caleb Steven. Born on 12 Oct 1987.
27. Carrie Lynn PIKE. Born on 31 Mar 1962.
Carrie Lynn married Duston ROSS.
They had the following children:
i. Carley Marie. Born on 24 Dec 1981.
ii. Kiley Renae. Born on 17 Sep 1985.
iii. Candice Morgan. Born on 11 May 1987.
28. John Burgess WILLIAMS. Born on 6 Sep 1963 in San Francisco CA.
John Burgess married Elizabeth McKENZIE.
They had three children:
i. Morgan Grey. Born on 21 Oct 2003;
ii. Logan Chase. Born on 22 June 2006;
iii. Mason Kane. Born on 22 June 2006.
29. Thomas Harbor WILLIAMS. Born on 28 Dec 1964 in San Francisco CA. Occupation: Sales Mgr. Cyro Products. Education: B.A. Chico State University. Religion: Protestant.
Thomas Harbor married Christine THOMPSON.
They had the following children:
i. Boston James. Born on 21 Dec 1999.
ii. Carson Dean. Born on 6 Apr 2001.
30. Jeffery WILLIAMS.
Jeffery married Megan in Los Angeles, CA.
They had one child:
i. Mason.
Seventh Generation:
31. Vicki Lynn HARRIS.
Child:
i. Mikki Dawn. Born in 1980.
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