JOHN AUGUSTUS WILLIAMS.

      Was Born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, September 25, 1824. He is a descendant of Roger Williams, of Rhode Island, but blending with his wild blood thus derived, he is rich also in Irish and French blood, through his grandmothers, Mills and Littrelee. He received his earlier education in the excellent schools of Paris, and his regular degrees of A. B. and A. M. from Bacon College--now Kentucky University--under the presidency first, of Dr. David S. Burnet, and then, of Dr. James Shannon. Afterwards the honorary degree, of LL. D. was conferred upon him by the Masonic University, then in successful operation at LaGrange, Kentucky.

      He read law in Paris for the most time in the office of Hon. Garrett Davis, and with the view of practicing in the Montgomery courts, in association with Mr. Davis, he removed to Mount Sterling in 1846.

      But strongly urged to teach, by numerous friends in that county, he finally accepted, in 1848, the principalship of Prospect Hill Seminary, a boarding school, for both ladies and gentlemen. In that year, also, he wedded Miss Mary Hathaway, of Mount Sterling, Elder John Smith officiating; and the young but gifted bride was at once installed as matron in what soon became a large and prosperous institution.

      By the urgent solicitation of citizens in Bourbon county, he was persuaded to [446] establish, at North Middleton, in that county, two distinct, but associated institutions. One known as "Bourbon Institute," for young ladies, the other, as "Clay Seminary," for young gentlemen, located in opposite parts of the village. Aided by his wife, and several competent assistants, he presided over these separate institutions with such ability that they were soon filled to the utmost capacity of the buildings.

      In 1851 he was offered a liberal bonus if he would remove to Columbia, Mo., and establish a college of high order for women. The field was inviting, and with the full concurrence of his wife, without whose approval he never would undertake an enterprise, he removed to Missouri, and established Christian College, still the most prosperous female college in the West.

      In 1850, his health began to decline, and his wife consenting, he resigned the presidency of Christian College, returned to Kentucky, and purchased the beautiful suburb near Harrodsburg, known as Greenville Springs, and established, in connection with his father, Dr. C. E. Williams, the famous Daughters College which they conducted with great success for nearly forty years.

      During that period, however, he was elected president of the State College, at Lexington; served two years and was then chosen president of Kentucky University. But his wife preferring to return to her beautiful home near Harrodsburg, he declined to accept the latter office, resigned the former, and once more gave his undivided energies to his beloved school for ladies, which, however, was never suspended a single day during his two or three years absence.

      But in 1892, his long and arduous labors, with his advanced age, began seriously to impair his health, and he was compelled to bring his work as a teacher to a final close. His aged father had passed away. Large security debts oppressed him, and at last he gave up his fine estate to his creditors, and retired with his wife, sick and penniless, to a cosy cottage in Harrodsburg, presented to him by his grateful and noble hearted pupils.

      Rest, which he so much needed, soon recruited his health, but in idleness he grew restless. The Grand Lodge of Masons, meeting in Louisville, appointed him Grand Lecturer for the state. He accepted the office for two years, and traveled over many counties, lecturing in the principal towns and villages; and then once more settled down in his pleasant cottage home, happy in the companionship of his ever cheerful and devoted wife.

      His travels over, he gave the hours of his retirement to writing for the press, and finally to authorship. He had already published the "Life of John Smith," and now, in quick succession, there came from his busy pen, "Rosa Emerson," "Reminiscences," "Thornton," and "Priscilla, or a Christian Wife's Method with a Skeptical Husband," the last, however, still in MSS. awaiting publication.

      In June, 1902, his wife passed to her great reward, being preceded by five of her children--all in fact, save one--Augustus E., the comfort and stay of his declining days. He has never recovered from the shock and gloom of his wife's departure, with whom he had lived in blissful union for fifty-four years.

[COC 446-447]