SAMUEL
JOHN WILLIAMS
Samuel
John Williams was born 2 May 1856 in Llandeilorfan Parish, Breconshire, Wales,
the son of Samuel Daniel Williams and Ann Price. To this union four children
were born: Daniel, Mary Ann, Ruth and Samuel John. Their mother died about one
week before his first birthday. His father later married Elizabeth Parry in
1866, and a daughter, Elizabeth, was born in Wales. The parents had decided to
emigrate to America as they had embraced the
Gospel in Wales.
The
family sailed from Liverpool 4 June 1868 on the sailing vessel John
Bright. His brother Daniel remained in Wales with his grandparents. The
family crossed the plains by mule team with the company of Captain Horton D.
Haight. They arrived in Salt Lake City, Utah 24
August 1868,
and soon after came to Malad City, Idaho and stayed there until the
spring of 1869. They then moved to Samaria, a distance of eight miles,
where ten other children were born.
His
father's first home in Samaria was a one-room log house
with a dirt roof and dirt floor. While a young man Samuel John worked for wages
and spent many years herding sheep. Later he formed a partnership with his
brother Brigham and they operated a herd of sheep together. In 1908 he
purchased a farm at Pleasant View, Idaho from Benjamin L. Jones.
He
was one of a committee that helped raise money to have electricity brought into
Samaria. He served on the Samaria
Water and Irrigation Board for many years. He was one of the first men of the
county to make a contribution to raise funds to make it possible to have the Oneida County Hospital erected.
He
lived several years, while a young boy, with his sister Mary Ann and her
husband, John Jenkins. He helped finance several people that they might secure
ownership of their farms and for that was called "Banker Sam" by his
friends. He had a kind disposition and was always thoughtful of others. He took
pride in his home, his yard, and his animals. He enjoyed visiting with people
and liked to discuss religion. He was one of the first men in Samaria to own an automobile. He
was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
He
married Fanny (Frances) Williams 13 December 1898.
To this union was born one daughter, Ann Eunella. She married Carl A. Evans and
died in childbirth 3 December 1933.
Samuel
John and Frances Williams were very hospitable. A nephew and two of his
brothers made their home with them after their parents were deceased. Also Mrs.
Eliza Bell Jones, a sister of Mrs. Williams, made her home with them in her declining
years. Mrs. Williams was a good seamstress and did considerable sewing for the
community.
Samuel
John died 16 September 1943 and Frances died 18
July 1948.
Both were buried in Samaria.
-
Carl A. Evans, Son-in-law
