My Genealogy Hound

HENRY S. WILLIAMSON, a successful farmer of Berrien County and the owner of a well-improved tract of land on section 35, Lincoln Township, was born in Dayton, Ohio, May 30, 1846. He is the son of Benjamin Williamson, a native of Connecticut, who removed thence to Virginia in his boyhood, and at the age of about twenty years located in Dayton, Ohio. In Miami County, Ohio, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary, the daughter of Jacob Snyder, and after that important event he located in Clay Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, where he followed farming pursuits. Finally disposing of his property, he removed to Indianapolis, Ind., about 1850, and resided in that city until his death in 1870. By trade a carpenter, he, however, was principally engaged in agricultural operations.

In the parental family there were nine children, of whom four grew to maturity and are now living, namely: Elmira, a resident of Berrien County and the wife of C. Brown; Hiram, who is engaged in the lumber business at Indianapolis; Susan, Mrs. Davis, whose home is near Decatur, Ill.; and Henry S., our subject. The father of these children was a man of prominence in the various communities of which he was a resident at different periods of his life. Politically a Whig, he was elected Sheriff of Montgomery County, Ohio, and served in that responsible position with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. In his religious convictions he was identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and maintained a constant interest in religious enterprises.

Orphaned by the death of his mother when he was one and one-half years of age, the subject of this notice was afterward taken into the home of his uncle, Elijah Williamson, in Warren County, Ohio, and was there reared to manhood. He gained the rudiments of his education in the schools of Warren County and afterward conducted his studies in the University at Lebanon, Ohio, then known as the Southwestern Normal. After having graduated from that institution, he engaged in teaching school at Fletcher, Ohio, and also assisted in the Normal at Lebanon.

Coming to Michigan in 1868, Mr. Williamson located in Lincoln Township, and for a time taught school in Oronoko Township, Berrien County. Subsequently he became superintendent for A. L. Putnam in the lumber business and filled this position for three years, after which he embarked in fruit farming. In 1876 he located on the farm where he still resides, a place consisting of eighty acres, sixty of which are highly improved and in a good state of cultivation. In addition to general farming he makes a specialty of stock-raising, and has a number of fine horses and cattle on his farm. In the former, his favorites are the Morgans and Hambletonians, and he breeds principally roadsters. One of his stallions has gained a considerable local reputation. This is “Jim Blaine,” the son of “Thomas Jefferson,” the dam being a Morgan mare, and one of the finest horses in southwestern Michigan.

August 22, 1869, occurred the marriage of Mr. Williamson to Miss Theressa E., daughter of Gould Parrish. This accomplished lady was born in Berrien County, and was educated in the schools here and at South Bend, Ind. For a time prior to her marriage she engaged in teaching in this county and was very successful as an instructor. Mr. and Mrs. Williamson are the parents of two children, Mabel A. and Lillian M., both of whom are at home. In his political belief, Mr. Williamson is a Prohibitionist, and is one of the leaders of the party in the township. His wife and daughters are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and take an especial interest in the work of the Sunday-school.