Williams, Jesse D.

Mill Owner

Birth: November 21, 1874, Vienna, Trumbull County, Ohio
Death: ?

Published Biography

From Harriet Taylor Upton, A Twentieth Century History of Trumbull County, Ohio, A Narrative Account of its Historical Progress, Its People, and Its Principal Interests (Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company, 1909), Volume 2, pp. 248-249:

JESSE D. WILLIAMS, of Vienna township, Trumbull county, is well and favorably known as the operator of an excellent steam threshing machine outfit and mill. He was born in Vienna township, November 21, 1874, a son of Addison and Eliza (Bacon) Williams, also native to Vienna township. The mother was born there March 13, 1852, and the father October 12, 1849. The paternal grandfather, William Williams, if not born in Trumbull county, must have come to that county when very young with his parents, who it is known settled there on a farm, where the great-grandfather died. The grandfather became the owner of a fine farm situated along the Niles road, about one and a half miles from Vienna village, and where he remained until his death in the month of October, 1882.

When about twenty-eight years of age the father bought a saw mill, which he continued to operate until his death. He also operated a threshing outfit for about fourteen years and owned a pleasant home in Vienna village He died November 23, 1907. This mill is the one now owned by Jesse D. The wife and mother is living in the village yet, sharing the home with her son; but she contemplates taking up her residence at Youngstown with a son and daughter who now reside there. Addison and Eliza (Bacon) Williams were the parents of five children, four of whom still survive: Leroy, of Youngstown, Ohio, a millwright on the furnaces of the Ohio Steel Works; Nora, unmarried resides in last named city; Arthur, of Youngstown, a millwright, employed by the same company as his brother; Jesse D., the eldest of the family; Myrtle, died at the age of about fifteen months.

Jesse D. Williams attended different district schools in Trumbull county, thus gaining a fair common school education. The most of his schooling was obtained, however, at the old No. 3 school, on the Niles road, near his old home. In his political views, Mr. Williams is of the Republican faith, and always casts his vote with this political organization. When about twenty-one years of age he set forth in life for himself. When not employed at home he was at work for others in the vicinity. At the age of twenty-five years he bought a steam threshing outfit, which he still operates in threshing season. He being gifted with a mechanical turn of mind, handles, operates and keeps in good repair his own machinery, both at the saw mill and his thresher, though necessarily has to employ considerable help. His mill is situated on his own land, or rather on the undivided estate of the father. He also operates a feed mill in connection with his saw mill and planer.

Mr. Williams is connected with the order of Maccabees at Vienna; also a member of the Knights of Pythias at Cortland. He was married, February 27, 1902, to Miss Mina Lewis, born in Vienna township, January 15, 1882, a daughter of E. A. Lewis and wife. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have no children living, one having died in infancy.