Ira Williams and Kitty Harrod of Oregon County, Missouri

Ira Moss Williams

Son of Gilbert Williams and Sarah Simpson 

Kitty Harrod and Ira M. Williams

Note: The numbers at the end of sentences correspond to source citations at the end of this article.

   
IRA MOSS WILLIAMS was born on 4 Feb 1863 in Greer, Oregon Co., Missouri. 2

He received a gift of land deeded to him by his parents on 31 May 1886 in Oregon Co., Missouri.3   

He married CATHERINE HARROD, daughter of WILLIAM M. HARROD and NANCY ELLEN ALLISON, on 6 Aug 1886 in Greer, Oregon Co., Missouri.4   

He was on the tax list in 1890 in Oregon Co., Missouri5 and he appeared on the census of 1900 in Woodside Twp., Oregon Co., Missouri.6

He operated the Greer Mill from approximately 1909 to 1920 in partnership with sons-in-law George Mormon and Cleve Bockman.7 Only two structures remain standing, the old mill building and the Greer home nearby where my father, Clyde Williams was born. Nothing remains of the old log camp house, the corral or the rock-lined well.  According to an article in the West Plains Quill, Ira Williams was the operator of the Greer Mill in 1916 when a photo was taken of him there. The mill closed permanently in 1920. (See more about the Greer Mill below the end notes in this article.)

An undated newspaper clipping was given to me by Gerald W. Harrod of Moses Lake, Washington. The article was titled, "Here's How the Town of Greer Got Its Name." The editor commented:

Your editor can recall as a boy traveling by wagon and team with my father to the mill at Greer Spring from his farm some five miles east of Alton about forty-six years ago. We took a wagon load of wheat to have it ground into flour. Leaving home at daybreak or just before we spent the entire day on the trip and it was after nightfall when we returned home. As a small boy, it seemed to us that the place was humming with activity with numerous people waiting their turn. The mill was being operated by Mr. Ira Williams at that time, in the present building. It was powered from the spring by means of a cable.

Ira appeared on the census of 1920 in Greer, Oregon Co., Missouri.8

He died on 15 Sep 1936 in Pike, Carter Co., Missouri, at age 73.9,10,11,12   He was buried in Hickory Grove Cemetery, Oregon Co., Missouri.13

The children of Ira Moss Williams and Catherine Harrod were:
   
ALTA MAY WILLIAMS born on 29 May 1887 in Woodside, Oregon Co., Missouri.   She married GEORGE F. MORMAN on 23 Oct 1905 in Greer, Oregon Co., Missouri.14   She died on 13 Jan 1968 in Fremont, Carter Co., Missouri, at age 80.15   She was buried in Hickory Grove Cemetery, Oregon Co., Missouri.16
   
LENAH ETHEL WILLIAMS born on 22 Mar 1890 in Woodside, Oregon Co., Missouri.   She died on 12 Jul 1892 in Woodside, Oregon Co., Missouri, at age 2.
   
SARAH ELLEN WILLIAMS was born on 19 Sep 1891 in Couch, Oregon Co., Missouri.17 She married ANDERSON CARL DUNIGAN on 8 Apr 1911 in Lula, Oregon Co., Missouri.18,19   She died on 6 Nov 1970 in Houston, Texas Co., Missouri, at age 79.20   She was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Houston, Texas Co., Missouri.21

 Sarah Ellen Williams

   
EVERETT LEMUEL WILLIAMS was born on 7 Oct 1893 in Woodside, Oregon Co., Missouri.22,23   He married NELLIE BROWN on 2 Sep 1916 in Greer, Oregon Co., Missouri.24   He died on 5 Jun 1966 in Portland, Multnomah Co., Oregon, at age 72.25 (I haven't had any contact with his descendants and would love to hear from anyone in his family.)
   
ANNA LAURA WILLIAMS was born on 4 Oct 1896 in Greer, Oregon Co., Missouri.26   She married CLEVE BOCKMAN on 14 Oct 1916 in Greer, Oregon Co., Missouri.27,28,29,30   She died on 27 Oct 1967 in Winona, Shannon Co., Missouri, at age 71.31   She was buried in Pine Lawn Cemetery, Winona, Shannon Co., Missouri.32 (These are the grandparents of my cousin Janet Sartin.)
   
GUY WAYNE WILLIAMS  was born on 14 Jul 1899 in Greer, Oregon Co., Missouri.33   He married EMMA BREWER in 1929.   He died on 29 Oct 1983 in Winona, Shannon Co., Missouri, at age 84.33 (This are the parents of my cousins Kathleen Rogers and Don Williams.)

 Guy Williams

Notes about this family from Kathleen:

We lived in Winona until world war two broke out . The folks owned that farm, they had an auction and sold everything. I remember John Barkley was the auctioneer.  We then moved to St. Louis, lived in an awful place, it was wartime and Dad couldn't get anything any better. We lived there until after the war, and when my brother Dwayne was killed. The folks decided to move us other kids back home.

 Dad used to work in St. Louis thru the week and come home and farm on the weekends, no wonder he was aways so tired.  He did that until he was laid off.  He and mom cut wood too and sold it .  They sold milk and eggs and of course always had a big garden. Dad grew corn and I guess what they didn't need for their own livestock, they sold. I guess God looked out for all of them.  Times were so hard for them all.

 Dwayne was killed in an accident at school in St. Louis.  He was playing on the jungle gym, something he had never played on before, and he fell and struck his head on one of the bars.  He died  on the operating table at the hospital. He had a blood clot on his brain.  I have always missed him.  He was a quiet person, the best looking of us kids. He seemed much older than his years.  He was 12 when he died.  That was in 1946.

We moved back to the farm after that. Dad and Mom had kept the place. I don't remember if anyone lived in it while we were in St. Louis.

I know dad went to the Church of Christ at Greer. I think they would go around and sing at different churches.  He always said Church of Christ was his church.

   
CLYDE HARVEY WILLIAMS was born on 17 Jan 1902 in Greer, Oregon Co., Missouri.34,35,36   He was in a photo of Black Jack School children in 1913. He married first to EVA ALLMON, daughter of JOSEPH SHELBY ALLMON and MAHALA HURST, on 15 Feb 1926 in Van Buren, Carter Co., Missouri.37   He appeared on the census of 1930 in Falling Springs Twp., Oregon Co., Missouri.38   He owned a general store in  Winona, Shannon Co., MO between 1944 and 1948.   He married SELMA ERONA HIEBERT, daughter of ABRAHAM J. HIEBERT and SUSANNAH RATZLAFF, on 12 Aug 1944 in Tulsa, Tulsa Co., Oklahoma.39

 Selma Hiebert and Clyde Williams

He owned a laundry mat in Tulsa, OK between 1949 and 1950.   He owned a general store in Monarch Springs, MO between 1950 and 1956.   He died on 14 Feb 1967 in Columbia, Boone Co., Missouri, at age 65.40,41,36   He was buried on 17 Feb 1967 in Falling Springs Cemetery, New Liberty, Oregon Co., Missouri.4

An obituary appeared in The Current Wave, February 16, 1967: Clyde Williams died at 4 a.m. Tuesday morning at Columbia, Mo. Mr. Williams was 65 years old.
   
Another obituary clipped by Martha Williams, appeared in The Current Wave, March 2, 1967

Clyde Harvey Williams, son of Ira Moss and Kathleen Williams, was born January 17, 1902 at Greer, Missouri, and departed this life February 14, 1967 at the age of 65 years and 27 days.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister - Lena, and one brother, Everett.
   
 He is survived by his wife, Bertha; three daughters: Geneva Lockman, Winona, Mo., Martha Ann Williams, and Susan Tate of San Antonio, Texas; one son: Norman Houston Williams of Miami, Florida, who is serving in the Armed Forces in Thailand; one brother: Guy Williams, Winona, Mo; three sisters: Alta Morman, Springfield, Mo., Ellen Dunigan, Houston, Mo, and Laura Bockman; seven grandchildren, and a host of other relatives. He will be sadly missed by many friends.
   
Services were held at the Assembly of God Church with Rev. Dolman Roderman officiating. Burial was in Falling Springs Cemetery under direction of the Clary Funeral Home of Winona.   He was described as Height: 6' 1".  He was buried in Falling Springs Cemetery, Oregon Co., Missouri. 

    Endnotes

   
   
1. Clyde Williams' Death Certificate (n.p.: Jefferson City, MO: No. 67-0005315), Clyde's father's name was given as Ira Williams per informat which was listed as the U of Mo. medical records.. I obtained a copy of the record on June 8, 1979.
   
2. Ira Williams' Death Certificate (n.p.: Jefferson City, MO: No. 33876), Ira's place of birth was reported as Greer, MO by informant Mrs. Alta Morman of Fremont, MO.. Obtained official copy 20 November 1979.
   
3. Oregon Co MO Deed of Gift from Gilbert & Sally Williams to Ira M. Williams, Deed Bk. 24, pp. 589-591: Gilbert and Sallie gave 240 acres of land to Ira in exchange for one dollar on 31 May 1886 in Oregon Co., MO Deed Bk. 24, pp. 589-591. The writing in the deed is faded and parts are difficult to read but the following can be deciphered: Gilbert Williams and wife to Ira M. Williams W.D. This indenture made on 31 May 1886 by and between Gilbert Williams and Sallie Williams his wife, Oregon County, Missouri parties of the first part and Ira M. Williams of the county of Oregon and State of Missouri party of the second part. Witnesseth that the parties of the first part in consideration of the sum of one dollar to them in hand paid by the said party of the second part the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged and of their natural love and affection for the said party of the second part do by these presents grant bargain sell convey and confirm unto the said party of the second his heirs and assignees the following described lots tracts or parcels of land lying being and situate in the county of Oregon and state of Missouri, the north part of the west half of lot one and NW part of the west half of lot one and lot 2 of the NW and the north part of the west half of lot one of the (unreadable) Township 24 being all those sections portions not before deeded to W.L. Williams, P.C. Williams, S.M. Williams, W.H. Parrott, in all containing about 240 acres. The deed was signed 'Gilbird' Williams. Sally signed with her mark.
   
Family tradition states that Gilbert left his inheritance to Kittie, his daughter-in-law rather than to Ira, his son, but there's no evidence of that.Gilbert lived with Ira and Kittie when he died. Registrar of Deeds, Alton, Missouri. Hereinafter cited as Oregon Co MO Deed of Gift. 

4.Harrod-Williams Marriage License, Ira M. Williams & Kittie Harrod, Marriage License, 6 August 1886, County Clerk's Office, Oregon Co., Missouri. They were married at the home of "Gilbird Williams" by W.L. Williams, J.P. Note: Ira and Kittie eloped.  She sneaked away from home, wearing several layers of clothes.  Her mother wouldn't speak to her for several years afterward.  Gilbert apparently approved of the marriage since the ceremony was performed at his house by W.L. Williams (Ira's brother). Nancy may have opposed the marriage for political reasons.  The Williams family were Confederates and the Harrods were "Yankees" who had fought on opposite sides during the Civil War. Nancy (Allison) Harrod may have been related to President William McKinley whose mother was Nancy Allison.
   
5. compiler Jackie Woods, Personal Assessment Book, p. 4, listed as Iram Williams in Woodside township.
   
6. Ira M. Williams, 23 June 1900 Twelfth Census of the United States, P.O. Box 540670, 669 West 900 North, North Salt Lake, UT, US 84054-0670, Woodside Twp., heritagequestonline.com Series T623 Roll: 879 page 58, The family included: Ira Williams age 36, Kittie age 36, Alta age 13, Sarah age 8, Everet age 6, Anna age 5 and Guy age 9 months.
   
7. William Howard Morman, "History of Greer Mill," The Missouri Historical Review Volume LXVI Number 4 (4 July 1972):
  
8. Richard T. Williams, Williams Family History and Genealogy: Supplemental Simpson, Moreland & Bolton Histories (33 Guetterman Dr., Belleville, IL 6220-2407: n.pub., December 2000), He says Ira lived on Greer Springs Road (sic), was widowed, age 56, and rented his home from Clue [Cleve] Bockman.. Hereinafter cited as Richard T. Williams.  [3.33.].
   
9. Two obituaries for Ira have been given to me. The first was typed from a microfilmed copy of a newspaper, presumed to have been the South-Missourian Democrat by Pauline Simmons:    "Ira Williams passed away September 15, 1936, at the home of his daughter at Winona, Mo. He was a former resident of this county, having lived at Greer many years. He leaves three sons, Everett, Clyde and Guy, and three daughters, Mrs. Laura Bockman, Mrs. Ella Dunigan, and Mrs. Geo. Mormon. He was laid to rest in the Hickory Grove cemetery Wednesday the 16th, beside his wife, who preceded him in death several years ago."
   
The second obituary was a newspaper clipping given to me by Mrs. Doyle Williams of Oregon Co., Missouri, also presumably from the South-Missourian Democrat:
   
"Ira Moss Williams was born February 4, 1863, passed away September 15, 1936. Age 73 years, 7 months and 11 days. He was married to Miss Katheryn Harrod in 1887. To this union 7 children were born, one died in infancy. His wife passed away April 19, 1919. Those living are, Mrs. Alta Morman, Fremont, Mo; Mrs. Ellen Dunnigan, Houston, Mo.; Everett Williams, Portland, Oregon; Mrs. Laura Bockman, Winona, Mo.; Guy Williams, Mt. View, Mo.; Clyde Williams, Winona, Mo. He has one brother, Pete Williams, Greer Postmaster, one sister, Polly Parrott. He has 18 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He passed away at his daughter's home, Mrs. Alta Morman of Fremont, Mo. and was laid to rest at the Hickory Grove Cemetery September 16. Rev. J.W. Bockman of Winona conducted funeral services, assisted by Bro. J.W. Arnold. He became a member of the Christian Church at an early age and held that faith until death. He was willing and ready to go.
   
10. Ira Williams' Death Certificate, No. 33876, Ira died at age 73 years, 7 months and 11 days. He was a merchant for 30 years and had been retired for 3 years per informant Mrs. Alta Morman of Fremont, MO. He was buried at the Hickory Grove Cemetery, Oregon Co., MO on 16 Sept. 1936. The undertaker was Croy Funeral Home and cause of death was flu complicated by bronchitis. He had been under the care of a doctor since August 12, 1936 and he died at 7:30 a.m. on Sept. 15, 1936.
   
11. 1992, Preserve Yesterday, Enrich Tomorrow: Oregon County, Missouri History Book, p. 321, this biographical sketch by an unidentified author incorrectly stated that Ira died in 1943.
   
12. Oregon County Genealogical Society, Cemeteries of Oregon County, Missouri, 1996 Edition (c/o Courthouse, Alton, MO 65606: Oregon County Genealogical Society, Reprinted 2003), p. 83. Hereinafter cited as Oregon Co. MO Cemeteries. 
   
13. Oregon County Genealogical Society, Cemeteries of Oregon County, Missouri, 1996 Edition (c/o Courthouse, Alton, MO 65606: Oregon County Genealogical Society, Reprinted 2003), p. 83. Hereinafter cited as Oregon Co. MO Cemeteries.
   
14. Oregon Co., Missouri Marriage records: "Altie Williams married George F. Morman", Oregon County Clerk's Office, Alton, Oregon County, Missouri 65588. Hereinafter cited as Oregon Co MO Marriages
   
15. Oregon County Genealogical Society, Oregon Co. MO Cemeteries, p. 79.
   
16. Oregon County Genealogical Society, Oregon Co. MO Cemeteries, p. 79. 
   
17. Ronnie Hayes, "Sarah Ellen Wiliams - Descendants", January 5, 2004 (St. Louis, MO). His sources are from family knowledge, gravestones and marriage records of Houston, Texas County,  Missouri.. Hereinafter cited as "Sarah Ellen Williams."
   
18. Oregon Co MO Marriages: Ellen Williams and A.C. Dunigan were married at Lula, Orgeon Co., Missouri at the residence of George Morman.
   
19. Oregon Co MO Marriages: Ellen Williams and A.C. Dunigan were married at Lula, Orgeon Co., Missouri at the residence of George Morman. Simmon Marion Williams was the minister.


20. Ronnie Hayes, "Sarah Ellen Williams", His sources are from family knowledge, gravestones and marriage records of Houston, Texas County,  Missouri., Her social security number was 486-56-0746.
   
21. Ronnie Hayes, "Sarah Ellen Wiliams - Descendants", January 5, 2004 (St. Louis, MO). His sources are from family knowledge, gravestones and marriage records of Houston, Texas County,  Missouri.. Hereinafter cited as "Sarah Ellen Williams." 
   
22. Individual record, International Genealogical Index (IGI) (35 North West Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150: LDS Family History Library, 7 oct 1894 - 5 June 1966), He was listed as Gilbert Lemuel Williams.
   
23. International Genealogical Index (IGI).
   
24. Oregon Co MO Marriages: Everett and Nellie Brown were married at Greer by W.E. Harrod, J.P. (Uncle Billy).
   
25. International Genealogical Index (IGI).
   
26. Laura Bockman, The Shannon County Current Wave, Winona, Missouri, 30 Oct. 1967, Anna Laura Bockman was born October 4, 1896 at Greer, Oregon Co., Missouri. Hereinafter cited as The Current Wave. 
   
27. Oregon Co MO Marriages: Laura Williams and Cleve Bockman, both from Greer, were married by W.E. Harrod (Uncle Billy).
   
28. The Current Wave, 30 Oct. 1967, On October 14, 1917 she married Cleve Bockman and had two children, Jack who died a baby and Norma.
   
29. Oregon Co MO Marriages: Laura Williams and Cleve Bockman, both from Greer, were married by W.E. Harrod (Uncle Billy).
   
30. The Current Wave, 30 Oct. 1967, On October 14, 1917 she married Cleve Bockman and had two children, Jack who died a baby and Norma.
   
31. The Current Wave, 30 Oct. 1967, Anna Laura Bockman died October 27, 1967 age 71 years, 23 days.
   
32. The Current Wave, 30 Oct. 1967, Obituary in Shannon Co., MO Current Wave newspaper: Anna Laura Bockman born October 4, 1896 at Greer, Oregon Co., Missouri and died October 27, 1967 age 71 years, 23 days. On October 14, 1917 she married Cleve Bockman and had two children, Jack who died a baby and Norma. Preceded in death her parents, husband, her brothers Everett and Clyde. She is survived by sisters Alta Morman and Ellen Dunnigan. Services were held October 29 at the new Winona Christian Church with Rev. Earl Sigler. She was buried at Pine Lawn Cemetery.
   
33. Guy Williams Funeral Memorial Card, Copy in my personal collection (PO Box 746, Ben Lomond, Santa Cruz, California, USA 95005).
   
34. Clyde Williams' Death Certificate, born 1-17-1902.
   
35. Clyde Harvey Williams, 492-42-8073, Clyde Williams' Application for Social Security , Social Security Administration (Baltimore, MD 21235-0001: Copy in file, 12 Jan. 1956), He applied for a social security number on January 12, 1956 and provided his birth date. His social security number was 492-42-8073. Hereinafter cited as Clyde Williams' SS App. 
   
36. Oregon County Genealogical Society, Oregon Co. MO Cemeteries, p. 66. 
   
37. Letter from R. Geneva Lockman (PO Box 396, Winona, MO 65588) to Nona Williams, August 25, 2003; Copy in my personal collection (PO Box 746, Ben Lomond, Santa Cruz, California, USA 95005). 
   
38. Clyde Williams, 17 April 1930 scanned image, Series T626 Roll: 1215 page 23, The household included Clyde Williams age 28; Eva, wife age 29; Geneva daughter age 3 1/2; and Hueston [sic] son age 1 1/2..  [3.33.].
   
39. Letter from Vesta Nadine Robertson (109 W. Larry Rd., Shawnee, OK 74801) to Nona Williams; Copy in my personal collection (PO Box 746, Ben Lomond, Santa Cruz, California, USA 95005), "Clyde and Selma married in Tulsa, Bro. Sam Barton married them at his home at 2210 No. Columbia Place. Your mother was living on the same street at the time two or three blocks south of the Barton's with grandparents. We lived in Tulsa at the same time (just during W.W. II) on 11th Street. Prior to that both families, or I should say all three -- Selma, Grandparents and my parents lived in Sand Springs which is west of Tulsa, literally a suburb.
   
40. Pneumonitis due to subacute myelomonocytie Leukemia.
   
41. Clyde Williams' Death Certificate, No. 67-0005315, Clyde had been in the hospital at the University of Missouri Medical Center for 22 days when he died of pneumonitis due to subacute myelomonocytic leukemia at age 65. He was under the care of Dr. Fred J. Brossart from 23 Jan. 1967 to 14 Feb. 1967 when he died at 4:50 a.m. He was buried Feb. 17, 1967 at the Falling Springs Cemetery at New Liberty, MO. The funeral director was Lyman Sprinkle of Columbia, MO. His usual place of residence was Rt. 1,  Winona, Shannon Co., MO. His social security number was 493-42-8073. He is buried at Falling Spring Cemetery in Oregon Co., Missouri.

     Falling Springs

42. Oregon County Genealogical Society, Oregon Co. MO Cemeteries, p. 66.