Born: Pope County, Illinois, 1875.
Died: 1925.

The subject of this sketch was born in Pope County, Illinois, in 1875. Much of his early life was spent on a farm. His parents being poor, gave him very little opportunity for acquiring an education. At the age of fourteen he was cast out in the world to rely upon his own resources. He entered school at Eldorado at the age of eighteen. Afterwards taught a short time in both graded and ungraded schools. In the year 1897 he entered the Alma Industrial College at Alma, Illinois, to prepare for the ministry. When the Spanish-American War broke out, he enlisted in Company G, Fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served in foreign fields in the Seventh Army Corps as messenger, and also as chief mail clerk on Gen. Fitz Hugh Lee's staff.

Upon his return from Cuba he entered the ministry under the leadership of King Immanuel, taking as his weapon of warfare the "sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." And his ability to use the knowledge he has gained from this most wonderful Book, has won for him the respect of the brotherhood wherever his influence has been felt. His work as an evangelist is a success, and as a pastor not a failure, being now (1902) serving his second year for the congregation at Cisne, Illinois. Bro. Williams is an interesting speaker, and always gives evidence of being master of his subject. He is fearless in his declaration of what he knows to be the word of God.

Bro. Williams was on General Lee's staff, and had every opportunity of seeing Rome as it existed in all its miserable rottenness and vileness and criminality. One must see it in order to appreciate it.