Representative John Locke Williams View All Years
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John Locke Williams
Iowa County
Source: History of Iowa County, Iowa, 1915 - Born in Washington, Pennsylvania, on the 6th of August 1825, a son of John and Susan (Seehorn) Williams, both lifelong residents of the Keystone State. In 1850 J. Locke Williams came to Iowa and first located in Johnson County, where he remained for about two years, but late in 1851 he came to Iowa County and entered land two miles from North English. His land was timbered and before bringing it under cultivation it was necessary to clear it, which he did. His wife and two children accompanied him, his marriage having occurred in 1846. The family was among the early settlers in this county and he continued to reside upon his farm until his death. As the county became more thickly settled and more prosperous he shared in the general well-being and was able to purchase additional land from time to time. He accumulated two hundred and twenty acres and its cultivation afforded him a good income annually. Although the operation of his farm was no small task, his energy was so great that he devoted the winter months to teaching school for many years and for two years served as county superintendent. He was also for a long time a member of the school board and his influence was deeply felt in educational circles. Mr. Williams was married on the 19th of October 1846 to Miss Nancy B. McCracken, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Henry and Katherine (Oakwood) McCracken. Mr. Williams was a zealous republican and did all in his power to further the success of that party in his part of the state. In 1865 he was appointed surveyor and held that office until 1872, when he resigned. In 1864 he was made county superintendent and for two years was the incumbent in that position. During the sixteenth general assembly in 1875-6 he represented his district in the legislature and his record as a lawmaker was creditable to him and satisfactory to his constituents. In 1860 and again in 1880 he was census enumerator. In looking after his many interests as farmer, official and teacher he did not ignore the claims of religion and was a consistent member of the Christian Church.
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