Chauncey Williamson
Chauncey
Williamson, a
native of Onondaga County, Town of Spofford, New York, was born May 23,
1823.
He is the son of
John and Nancy Williamson, natives of New
York.
When
he was eight years old his parents removed from New York to
Pennsylvania, remaining there one winter; they then went to
Monroe,
Ashtabula County, Ohio, and here our subject dwelt until he was
twenty
years old, receiving a common-school education.
When
he left Ohio he went
to Oakland County, Michigan, remaining there about six years; here he
was employed in various pursuits, and in the spring of 1850 he
started to California. On
reaching Council Bluffs he stopped, and
concluded to remain in Iowa.
Mr.
Williamson was
married April 15, 1851,
to Miss Elizabeth J. Liston. Seven
children were born to them -
George H., Matilda (deceased), Henry (deceased), John, Nancy, wife
of
David Baughman; Mary, wife of C. A. Beebe, and David.
Mrs.
Williamson was
called to the other life in October, 1869, at the age of thirty-nine
years.
Mr.
Williamson was again married February 22, 1872, to
Leanah, the
widow of Milton M. Beebe, and daughter of William and Polly
(Headrick) Van Ausdell.
She
was born in Lawrence County, Ohio, May 29, 1826,
and was married to Milton M. Beebe in Lee County, Iowa, in 1850.
They
resided in Shelby County from 1851 until 1857, and during this time Mr.
Beebe figured quite prominently in business and political circles of the
county.
He was engaged in the mercantile trade in Manteno, and was
elected the first sheriff of the county.
In
1857 he removed to
Missouri, and died there before the close of the Rebellion.
In
1866
Mrs. Beebe and five children returned to Shelby County; the
children are -
Luella G. (deceased), wife of Isaac Fauts; Georgianna V., wife of
George Williamson; Cornelius A., Kate I., wife of Henry Urfer; Mary
M.,
wife of Marion Hawley.
Mr.
Williamson and Mrs. Beebe were married
February 22, 1872. After
his first marriage Mr. Williamson resided in Mills
County, then Harrison County, and in 1854 came to Shelby County, and
purchased 160 acres of land in Grove Township, which he still makes his
home.
He has made many valuable improvements, erecting a residence and
barns for stock and grain. Mr.
Williamson has done much toward the advancement
and growth of this part of Shelby County, and has held many
positions of trust among the people.
He
assisted in the organizing of the
school districts in his section.
In
politics his sentiments find
expression in the principles of the Republican party.
Mr.
and Mrs.
Williamson are consistent members of the reorganized church of
Jesus
Christ, or the Latter-Day Saints, he having served as priest in
this
body for twenty-six years.
They
have been zealous workers in their
church, and have done much for the religious element of the
community, and
are deserving of the regard in which they are held.
1889, W. S. Dunbar Press,
Chicago, IL