My Genealogy Hound

William H. Williamson, one of the leading farmers and influential citizens of Oakland County, vice-president of the Monitor Insurance Company, resides upon a finely cultivated and improved farm of 168 acres, located in sections 8 and 9, Bloomfield township. Mr. Williamson was born on his present farm, and is a son of William and Grace (German) Williamson, the former of whom was born 80 years ago in Lincolnshire, England, and the latter, 73 years ago in beautiful Devonshire.

In 1844 William Williamson came to Michigan, and located at Detroit, where he followed his trade of blacksmith for six years. He then removed to the country and in 1860 purchased the farm his son now operates. In 1883 he retired from active farm work. Mr. and Mrs. Williamson are among the most highly esteemed residents of Bloomfield township. While he prefers to be bound by no political party lines, he was an admirer of the character of the late President McKinley and cast his vote for him in both presidential campaigns. Both he and his wife belong to the Church of England. They reared a family of five children, as follows: Elmer, of Avon township, Oakland County; Louisa, wife of William Kimble, of Avon township, Oakland County; Laura, wife of Fred Kemp, of Pontiac; Frank, deceased; and William H.

The subject of this sketch is the youngest of his parents’ children. He was educated in the public schools and has spent the greater part of his life in this section, variously engaged as drover, wool buyer and stockman and is probably one of the best posted men on these subjects in this section of the State. He is not only one of the most prominent agriculturists, but he is also well known in other lines and is financially interested in various enterprises. He is vice-president of the Monitor Insurance Company, has been its acting president for the past eight months and is a director and a stockholder in the Oakland Telephone Company.

In 1888 Mr. Williamson was united in marriage with Nettie Heath, who was born in 1867, in Millford township, Oakland County, and is a daughter of Frank and Louisa (Speller) Heath, natives of New York. Four children have been born to this union: Florence, Mark, Celia and Frank. Fraternally Mr. Williamson belongs to the Knights of Pythias, and is also a Granger and a Mason. Like his father, he prefers to be independent in politics.