Williams, Jeremiah Hodge - Biography

JEREMIAH HODGE WILLIAMS

Jeremiah Hodge Williams was the eldest son of ten children born to William W. and Mary Hodge Williams. He was born 16 April 1854 in Blackwood, Monmouthshire, South Wales.

A few months later the family left for America. They lived in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania for a few years and then moved to Salt Lake City. They moved to Samaria about 1873 or 1874. He was about twenty years old when he arrived here. He worked with his father and on 9 December 1875 he married Ruth Williams, daughter of Samuel D. Williams and Ann Price. Their first home was a two-room log cabin. Years later they built a brick home. Thirteen children were born to them: Samuel, Mary, Ann, William, Maximillian, Ruth, James, Henry, and Llewellyn (Bud) grew to maturity. Joel and Daniel died when they were about fifteen years old and Jerry and Elizabeth died younger, just two days apart, with diphtheria.

He homesteaded a 160 acre farm in the southwest part of Samaria. He spent his life farming for himself and part of the time for his father. He ran the separator on the horse powered threshing machine and later owned a steam powered one with others. He was always a hard worker, was a good canyon man; he and his son, Samuel, owned and operated a sawmill in Big Canyon until they sold it and moved it out.

He served for many years on the School Board of Trustees. When the petition or agreement was drawn up to bring the irrigation water to Samaria, his name was among the others. He also served as Probate Judge.

He had a strong testimony of the Gospel and was active in church work. He served as first counselor in the bishopric to Daniel E. Price for sixteen years. It was at this time the new church house was built in 1902.

He was an average size man, dark complexioned and wore a mustache. He was a self-educated man, didn't have any schooling but became a good reader and penman. Two of his sons served on missions for the church and he sent three to college. He gave the land to the town of Samaria which is known as the public square.

His wife died 30 August 1910. He was a widower for ten years. He was left to care for the four boys left at home. Ruth and Ann were close by and helped with the household chores.

He was a friendly man. He always had time to stop and talk to children no matter how small they were. He died 26 October 1926 at the home of his daughter, Mary Stuart, in Malad. He is buried in the Samaria Cemetery and left his family remembering him as a loving father of noble character.

- Llewellyn Williams, Son