COL. JOHN WILLIAMS, President and Manager of the Springfield & North Western Railroad, and President of the First National Bank of Springfield; is the son of James and Hannah (Mappin) Williams, and was born in Bath Co., Ky., Sept. 11, 1808; he came to Illinois with his parents in 1823, who located where the Colonel now resides. Here they entered a large tract of land, and the Colonel entered one section; here his father died in 1834, and his mother in 1855. A further mention of his parents is given in the general and township history during the late war, Mr. Williams was appointed, by Gov. Yates, to the office of Commissary General of the State; he served in this capacity about two years, then was appointed Manager of Sanitary affairs; he served in a number of honorable and prominent positions during the war. He has been prominently connected with the First National Bank of Springfield for many years, and has accumulated a large property. He became connected with the S. & N. - W. R. R. in1871. He owns and superintends a 1,400- acre stock farm, and has always been identified with public affairs. His wife is Lydia, daughter of Asa Porter, of Lima, N.Y.; they were married March 31, 1840; she was born Aug. 28, 1821; they have raised a family of six, who bid fair to become worthy citizens of this or any community in which they may ultimately locate.