Category: Genealogy The adventures of the Tryon clan by Richard R. Tryon
This is the personal story of the site owner's cousin William Evans Williams of Fullerton, California. Bill was raised in Oak Harbor, Ohio by Clark and Jean Williams until Bill was just 9 when his father died of scarlet fever related damage to his kidneys. His mother's family started the town as her great grandfather was the first settler having bought the land that became the town. He ventured there in a covered wagon in 1843 out of Toledo. Bill and his sister Ann learned to help their mother make their way through school while the widow became the County Recorder. The data now known to Bill took quite a bit of time to discover after his mother had died and he took an interest in finding it. Perhaps, many years from now, his grand children and beyond will have easy access to this information because of Bill's willingness to 'root it out'. We wish his line well. Cousin Dick Tryon May 1, 2002

WILLIAMS CLAN HISTORY
(An Overview)

December, 2001
By Bill Williams

This document contains in part information provided by Jane Criswell Williams from her records and research and from a handwritten memo written in the early 1960's by a Delicia Jane Lane. Jane Criswell's information also included a recent trip to Wales and the uncovering of old records on the Williams Clan. Jane is a cousin whose great grandmother was a sister of my grandfather. She lives in Santa Barbara. Delicia was niece of my grandfather .This write-up will primarily focus on the paternal heritage of me William E. Williams currently residing in Fullerton California. The information provided by Jane and Delicia is on file with me. It is very comprehsnsive, going back to 1723 with the birth of a Robert Thomas in Wales whose linkage produced Jane Evans who married my great grandfather William John Williams.


William Evans Williams (b. 1937) Chicago, Married 1961 Carol Swanson (b.1939) Chicago
Sons: David Clark (b. 1965) Palo Alto Ca. Married 1999 Kimberley Pagano(b. 1970) Fullerton Ca.
Steven Carl (b. 1967) Lafayette, Ind. Married 1993 Gwyn Thurston (b. 1968) Ridgecrest Ca.
Daughters: Layne Carole (b. 1997) and Ella Louise (b. 1999)
Brad William (b.1970) Princeton NJ Married 1998 Nicole Simone (b. 1973) Fresno


Clark Singleton Williams (1907-1947) b. Oskaloosa, Iowa Married (June 8, 1935) Jean Louse Kraemer (1910-1997)
Son: William Evans
Daughter: Ann Kathryn (b.1942) Port Clinton Ohio, Married (Aug 30, 1964) James Kelih (b. 1941) Cleveland
Sons: Stephen (b.1968), Tod (b.1970)
Daughter (Kristen b. 1972) Married (1996) Casey Short (b. 1971)


William Evans Williams (1874-1935) Married (March 19, 1903) Gertrude Adelaide Abell (1884-1962?) Keokuk Iowa
Son: Clark
Daughters: Delicia Gertrude (1903-1960) Married ( 1925) Richard Rundel Tryon (1902-1978)
Son: Richard Rundal Jr. (b.1932) Married (1955) Anne Elizabeth Colwell (b.1936)
Daughters: Pat (b.1926) Married Gordon 'Mike' Tindall (b.1924) and Carolyn (b.1934)
Virgina Jane (1904-1977) Married (1925) Daniel McCullough (?-?) son: Daniel (1927-
1980?) Second husband Jack O'Connell (?) married (?)
(On file is write up by Delicia on William Evans Williams)


William John Williams (1824-1898) b. Port Amlwch Wales; Married(1850) Jane Evans (1835-1905)
Carnarvon Wales: Ten(10) children:
William Evans ( the 9th child)
John Andrew (1851-1911); Jane Evans (1853-1939); Elizabeth (1857-1927); Ann (1859-
1907); Hanna Edith (1862-1889); Catherine (1866-1867); Mary Florence (1868-1907);
Alice Leone (1871-1962); Benjamin Hayes (1877-1952)
(see attached write up from Delicia and Jane's information on William John Williams)


John Andrew Williams (1802-1870) b. Port Amlwch, Anglesea Wales: Married (1823)Elizabeth Jones (1804-1834)
Pant yr Eiren, Garreglofor, Wales John Andrew was married twice, Elizabeth his first wife.
Children: William John- came to America in 1845 with his father, mother and brother
Benjamin (1825-1919) b. same as Williams John: Married(1852) Hannah Davies (1836-1915)
Had 12 children-three named John Andrew ?
(see attached notes on John Andrew from Delica's notes and ''The Story of the Wren Farms'' by Ruth
Williams a nephew of my grandfather).


William Andrew Williams (?)
Records show he was married three times and John Andrew was one of the offspring who arrived with him in New York in 1845.

Ioan Andrew Williams (?)
Only report is in Delicia's notes that he was father of Williams Andrew. It is suggested in the Ruth Williams story on the Wren Farm that this generation and the last came from Scotland where they used the name Andrew and then changed their name to Andrew Williams.






This section contains personal vignettes of several of the key figures in this study:

The first one is the American progenitor:

John Andrew Williams

January 7, 1802 January 14, 1870

John Andrew was born in Port Amlwch, Wales. He owned a farm in Pant yr Eiren (file maps show the exact location of this property). He also had an interest in a butcher business. He married (1823) Elizabeth Rowlands Jones Williams (1790-1834)(see file for more information on Elizabeth's family). They had three children William John, Benjamin and Ann (Ann stayed in Liverpool eloping at age 14 and she and two daughters, all later came to America to live with John.). John remarried after Elizabeth's death in 1834 (consumption). His second wife was Elizabeth Thomas (called 'Nain Betsy'by her grandchildren). John was a member of the Llanrhuddlad Church in Amlwch. His first wife is buried at Pant yr eirin.
John sold his farm and business and with his second wife and two sons came to America in 1845. They left Liverpool, England, on the boat "Pacific" and arrived in New York City on June first of that year, a Sunday. They went by boat up the Hudson River to Albany, then by Erie canal to Buffalo, to the Great Lakes and Milwaukee; by ox team to Prairieville, now Waukesha. Upon arriving he stayed at the home of John Hughes "Cilmaenan," farm who had also come from Anglesey and written back to John with glowing reports of Wisconsin.
John Andrew had sold all his earthly possessions before coming to America. Here he bought three farms totaling 80 acres from the government. James K. Polk, President of US, signed the document. They were "The Wern," the land where the Bethesda Church now stands, and the "Penbelan" property. He loaned money to farmers. His daughter-in-law, Jane Evans Williams, made bags of blue drilling with drawstrings and he would use these for distributing the money he loaned to farmers. He had a little blue wagon - two seats could be put into it - and two Welsh ponies drew it. Mr. John would be gone days at a time, the money placed on the seat beside him- No one ever held him up or harmed him.
John felled the trees, cleared the land for the log house and other buildings and for crops. Their first winter was a rather rough one because they did not arrive early enough to clear land and get in crops. Their main diet was flap-jacks, corn meal mush and bread.
At the John Hughes home, religious services were held, Then for three years they were held 'in the Jones' "Pare" home. John Andrew gave the land for the Bethesda Church and carriage shed. He was made an elder of the church in 1855. In December 1847 he received his first Citizenship papers and in December 1869 he became a naturalized citizen of the United States.
John Andrews first Wife, Elizabeth, mother of his three children died 'in 1834 and was buried in Anglesey, North Wales. His second wife Elizabeth Thomas was nicknamed 'Nain Betsy' by the grandchildren.
John Andrew Williams, founder of the Wern Farm, named it after his home area. "The Wern" means fertile valley between hills. There were two islands, the big island and the little island just east of the farm. Later the water receded and was bog land. (Aerial pictures of 'The Wern' farm are in the file.)
It appears that his father (William Andrew) and grandfather (Ioan Andrew) were from Scotland and used the name Andrew. This was changed to Andrew Williams when they came to Wales
It is published that John Andrew Williams was a man of great faith, a true Christian gentleman, interested in the spiritual development of his children, his church and community. He was buried with his Welsh Bible.

The second is:
William John Williams

January 29, 1824---October 24, 1898

William John was born in Port Amlwch, Wales to John Andrew and Elizabeth Rowlands Jones. He died in Elim Springs, Genesee Wisconsin and is buried in Salem Cemetery Wales Wisconsin. He married (September 5, 1850 in Mifflin, Wisconsin) Jane Evans (August 5, 1835- June 14, 1905). Jane was born in Llanilyfni Wales and died in Garyville, La. John was baptized February 15, 1824 in Llanflewin Wales. He came to America in 1845 with his parents and brother Benjamin (1825-1919 buried in Penial Cemetery Wisconsin). Sister Ann stayed in England (see John Andrew write-up).
William and Jane had 10 children. There first 5 children were born in Mifflin Wisconsin in a settlement know as 'Picatonica'. The last 5 were born at 'The Wern' farm, which he purchased from his father John Andrew and the farm name stayed with the farm rather than go with his father who moved to Penbelan. William Evans (1874-1935) was born at the Wern farm. (Information on all his brothers and sisters is covered in the files).
It is reported that in 1863 there were Indians, tramps and Civil War veterans, ragged and in tatters that would frequent the farm. It was known that Jane would never turn a beggar away without giving him food and a little money, although she never had too much in the house.
Not unlike any of the early settlers. they had their trials and misfortunes but they followed the great Christian heritage which had been left to them. It was said of William John "He was honest to a fault." The following tribute was written by his grandson, Chester W. Lane, "Grandpa in every relation of life was shown the light that comes from justness, generosity, truth, a high sense of honor '-a proper respect for self, a sensitive thoughtfulness for others, and he was a loyal neighbor and friend."
Then he went on to say, I 'His happiest moments were always spent by his own fireside, in his big easy chair, with his family bible. As a citizen he was a most loyal and steadfast American."
Williams John following in the footsteps of his father, was an ordained elder in the Bethesda Church. The holy bible was the most read book and family worship was held every morning and night. They put Christ first in everything, and, to the best of their ability, they lived a Christian life every day of the year.
It was reported that Jane night or day went to help a new baby to be born. Often at night William John would be awakened by the noise, of tiny pebbles on the windows and when he went to see who was there, a voice would say, "Mr. Williams, could Mrs. Williams come and take care of my wife? She is expecting a baby." And Jane would dress and go on the mission of service and love. In the early 1880's William John fell from a stack of grain and was seriously injured. He never enjoyed good health after that.
In April 1885, his daughter, Anne, married David L. Williams at Bethesda Church. William John sold "the Wern" to his daughter and son-in-law and again the question of the name "Wern" arose. William John told his daughter and David to keep the name. He would not take it with him.
William John and Jane then moved to 'Penbelan', one of the farms his father had purchased from the government. They lived there for a short time before they bought "Elim Springs" and built their new home in the spring of 1886. The new house was a modern, square building painted white. It was a charming, hospitable home. All, who went there, friends or strangers, were received with a most cordial and sincere welcome. "Elim Springs" received its name from Exodus 15-27. There are five springs of unequaled, pure, sparkling, health-giving water.

The third is our common Grandfather:

William Evans Williams (the first one)

August 24, 1874---October 2, 1935

William Evans was born at the Wern Farm, Genesee, Wisconsin. He died in Chicago of a 'coronary thrombosis' and an obstruction of the colon. He apparently was of the Christian Scientist faith and would therefore not receive medical treatment. His funeral was at Bethesda Church and he is interred in Salem Cemetery near the Wern Farm (see Cemetery information in file) next to two of his brothers, John A and Benjamin. He married (March 19, 1903) Gertrude Adelaide Abell (1884-1962?) Keokuk, Iowa.
William (called Will) and Gertrude (called Go-Go by her grandchildren) had three children Delicia Gertrude (1903-1960), Virginia Lane (1904-1977), and Clark Singleton (1907-1947). The families of Gertrude and Virginia are covered in the files. Clark's history and family is attached. Will as noted below was a salesman and traveled in that role for several companies. As a traveling salesman he often stayed at the Abel Hotel in Keokuk Iowa where he met and fell in love with the owners daughter (Go Go).
Will attend district schools, Carroll College in Waukesha, WI. And the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He was very serious, practical, conservative, musical (beautiful tenor voice), but loved to play jokes and tell stories. In 1893 he was in the water business in Milwaukee, selling Elim Springs water. (Note: Elim Springs was the name of the home of his parents, William J. and Jane Evans Williams bought after they sold the Wern Farms to their daughter Annie and her husband, D.L Williams-Elim Springs had seven water springs on the property).
He worked for short period of time for his brother-in-law, Sidney M. Bloss (married to Alice Leone Williams); selling cheap lace curtains at 50 cents a pair. He also worked at Marshall Field Wholesale Store in Chicago. This appears to be before he was married. Records show he lived in Oskaloosa and Davenport Iowa where his children were all born between 1903 and 1907. He is in the Davenport town directory in 1900-1905 and his residence addresses are noted. In 1915 he went to work for the pharmaceutical company Parke Davis & Company in Toledo Ohio. He was considered an outstanding salesman. Records showed that he lived also in Maumee as well as Toledo. His children attended Maumee schools. He appears in the Toledo directory of 1916 living on Winthrop Street and then to 2425 Putman Street. His Maumee address was on River Road (it may have been #936 which is also the home of his daughter/Virginia in later years). There is a record showing possibly him as a Div. Mgr. Reuben Realty Co. In the early 1930's he went into business with his son Clark in Chicago. Their product was outdoor rubber mats but several successive pleasant Chicago winters put them out of business.
Apparently Will's brother in law Sidney Bloss was not easy to work with and they did not have a good relationship. He lived with Bloss and Will's sister Alice (who had begged him to live with them) in or near Melrose Park Ill. Things were not pleasant for him there. Sidney would take the train from Melrose Park, Ill. Will would have to walk to Maywood to take the street car as it was cheaper & Will did not get paid much by Sidney.
Pat Tryon Tindall writes affectionately of Grandpa Bill from her early childhood memories:
''Grandpa Bill stood out as a very special person to me as a small child. I remember his snow-white hair, his slight stature, and his wondrous blue eyes, which seemed to twinkle like I thought Santa Claus?s did. And the letters he often wrote to me were written in baby talk and beautiful artistic penmanship Once in a while I see something in you (William E. Williams second) and Dick (grandson Tryon) that reminds me of Grandpa Bill. Grandpa Bill loved playing golf and my mother (Gertrude) told me that Go Go was not happy with his long golf games when he was already away so much as a salesman.''

And last but not least is Bill's father, my Uncle Bud:

Clark Singleton Williams

December 30, 1907 ---- February 14, 1947

Clark was born in Oskaloosa Iowa. He died at Magruder Hospital in Port Clinton Ohio. He had a long illness with kidney complications from a childhood illness (scarlet fever). It was known most of his adult life that his life would be shortened by the condition. His funeral was in Oak Harbor Ohio where he was residing at the time. He is buried in Oak Harbor Cemetery. He married (June 8, 1935) Jean Kraemer (1910-1996) at the home of her parents (Dewilton Adlophus and Anna Kathryn) in Oak Harbor Ohio. The wedding was a small family affair. (There is a picture on file)
Buddy (Bud), as he was known by his family and friends, attended grade school in Maumee Ohio and Scott High School in Toledo Ohio. He met Jean on a 'blind' date on September 30, 1933 at a party at mutual friend (Berkhalter) in Maumee. Jean's diary note of that day labeled the day as ''an important day''.
Clark?s employment included: Toledo Trust where he was a bank teller, Manager at the Loop and Ohio Theaters in Toledo (they were owned by his sister (Virginia) and her second husband (Jack O'Connell of Maumee), Libby Glass Company of Toledo (glass manufacturing), and a venture with his father (William Evans) in Chicago with a company (name not known) which made and/or distributed rubber matting for homes and commercial use. That venture failed after several years in part because of several very warm, dry Chicago winters. During their time in Chicago his first child (William Evans) was born (1937).
Clark's health problems plagued him most of his adult life. His health prevented him from military service during WW II. He did serve with the Civil Defense, wearing his special helmet and working the neighbor hood during 'blackouts' and other alerts. While Clark was at the Libby Glass Company it was converted to war production. They invented at this time and made unbreakable glass. One evening he returned from work to surprise his family with a sample of this new wonder glass by throwing it close to Jean who was standing a stairway. Much to her shock and his surprise it shattered on impact (more research needed). Because of his illness and short life (39 years) he did not have a great deal of time with his family. His son however remembers many evenings of throwing a football on the front lawn of their home in Toledo and his dad's love of automobiles and working on them. A family picture shows him proudly standing by his 1947 Pontiac with the slant back window. Cousin Richard Tryon remembers seeing the car and Clark in New Jersey in October 1946.
The minister (Paul R. Savannack- a long time family friend) who married Clark and Jean also officiated at Clark's funeral.