My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE WASHINGTON IIAMS is the owner of a well improved farm pleasantly situated on section 26, township 48, range 25, Johnson County. He is well known throughout this section, having been a resident here since 1871, and is regarded with the highest respect and confidence, being a man of good judgment and unimpeachable integrity.

Mr. Iiams was born in Davidson County, N. C., August 4, 1817, and is the son of Thomas and Nancy (Carvel) Iiams, both of whom were born in the state of Maryland. There the father was a carpenter and millwright, following these trades during the greater part of his life. Upon attaining his majority he married Miss Carvel and moved immediately to Davidson County, N. C., where they lived until their decease, with the exception of two years, when the father was employed in South Carolina. He departed this life at the age of seventy-one years, and his wife at the time of her decease had reached the age of threescore years and ten.

The parental household numbered eleven children, only two of whom are now living. Sarah married Daniel Divengood, and both died in this county; Richard chose for his wife Miss Ellen Collett, and they also lived and died in the above county; Henrietta became the wife of Samuel Cecil, and they departed this life in North Carolina; William married Mary Leonard, and they passed their entire lives in North Carolina, in which state Mary, Mrs. Philip Clinard, also died; Nancy is now Mrs. S. T. Stone, and with her husband is living in this county, ten miles south of Warrensburg; Rachel died aged seventeen years; Ellen died in infancy; John also departed this life when young; and Thomas is likewise deceased.

George W., of this sketch, was the ninth in order of birth in the above family. He lived at home, aiding in the work on the farm until his marriage, which occurred April 22, 1838. The lady on this occasion was Miss Elizabeth Cecil, a native of Davidson County, N. C., and the daughter of Benjamin and Osie Cecil, farmers by occupation, who spent their entire lives in that state.

After his marriage, George W. rented a tract of land for a time, and by the efficient manner in which he carried on the affairs of the estate was soon enabled to make a purchase of forty acres. He lived on this place for ten years, and was then induced by his brother, who was living in Missouri, to sell his farm and invest the money in western lands. He accordingly came to Johnson County, arriving here June 28, 1858. The trip was made overland and consumed nine weeks. He visited his brother for a week, spending the time in looking around for a suitable location. He found a place eleven miles south of Warrensburg, which he rented, but only remained on it for six months. At that time there were only a few stores and shops in Warrensburg, and the court house was very small.

Mr. Iiams moved from the above farm to a little place of two acres, on which he built a house and lived until the spring of 1865. The next change brought him to within five miles of Warrensburg. Here he rented for two years, when he crossed the line into Lafayette County, and for four years was on rented property in Freedom Township. In 1871 he came to his present farm, which comprises one hundred and twenty acres. The place was at that time covered with timber, and Mr. Iiams has spent many years of hard labor in its improvement.

The wife of our subject departed this life in August, 1881. She was the mother of twelve children, eight of whom are now living. Rachel was born in 1839, and now makes her home with her father; John, who married Mary Wise, lives at home, and his wife is in Kansas; Annie became the wife of John Hurd, and they make their home in Oklahoma; Samuel S. chose for his wife Mollie Payne, and they are engaged in farming in this county; Esther died when twenty-three years of age; Preston departed this life in April, 1893; Calvin, the twin of Preston, married Melinda Wan, and they reside on a good farm three miles southwest of our subject’s home; Melvina is at home; Hiram and the tenth child are deceased; Nancy lives with her husband, James Iiams, in this township; and Fathie married Columbus Payne, and they live in Texas. The children have all been given good educations, and are fitted to occupy useful positions in life. Our subject, who is greatly interested in the cause of education, has been Director in his district for several terms, but with this exception has never held office. During the war he belonged to the Home Guards. In politics he always votes for Republican candidates. He is not a member of any church organization, but several of his children are identified with religious bodies.