Carey, Charles Henry. "History of Oregon." Vol. 3. Chicago-Portland: Pioneer Historical Pub. Co., 1922. p. 458. EUGENE WILLIAMS Among the substantial citizens of Newport is numbered Eugene Williams, who is now living retired in the enjoyment of a well earned rest after many years of active connection with the business interests of the city. He was born in the state of New York on the 7th of March, 1853, of the marriage of Charles H. and Catherine (Dutcher) Williams, also natives of the Empire state. Charles H. Williams was a blacksmith, having learned the trade under the instruction of his father, and he followed that occupation for some time in his native state and later removed to Illinois, where he engaged in farming. In 1857 he removed to the vicinity of Chicago and there purchased land which he continued to cultivate until 1875. In 1876 he made his way westward to Oregon, settling in Newport, Lincoln county, where he opened a general mercantile establishment. This he conducted successfully for fifteen years, when he retired and turned over the business to a younger brother of Eugene Williams. He was a prominent citizen of his community and for two terms served as county commissioner. He continued a resident of Newport until he died on the 5th of May, 1914, at the advanced age of eighty-five years. His first wife passed away in 1898 and in February, 1905, he wedded Mrs. Eleanor Burt, widow of Judge Burt. She survives and is residing with her stepson, Eugene Williams. The last named was reared and educated in Illinois and in 1875 he became a resident of Newport, Oregon, working in his father's mercantile establishment until 1877, when he started out in life independently, engaging in the saloon business, with which he was continuously connected for a period of twenty-seven years, with the exception of two years spent in the east. Since the enforcement of the prohibition law he has not engaged in active business but is now living retired in the enjoyment of a substantial competence gained through his former years of industry, energy and thrift. He is a man of excellent business ability and is the owner of considerable property in Newport in addition to profitable investments in farm lands. In his political views Mr. Williams is a republican, and his fraternal connections are with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Red Men. He has resided in Lincoln county for almost a half century and has become well known in this part of the state. He has lived to witness remarkable changes as the land has been reclaimed and converted into valuable farms and ranch properties, while here and there towns and villages have sprung up, introducing the advantages of the older east. In the work of development and improvement the family has borne its full share, and through his industry, energy and perseverance In former years Mr. Williams is now enabled to live retired in the enjoyment of all the comforts and many of the luxuries which go to make life worth the living. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in November 2006 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.