An Illustrated History of Central Oregon, Western Historical Publishing Company,
Spokane, WA. 1905, page 237.

WILLIAM H. WILLIAMS is known far and near in Wasco county as one of the earliest
settlers on Eightmile creek, where he lives to this day. His estate is about ten
miles south from The Dalles and is one of the choice places in the community. He
was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, on November 18, 1838, the son of Washington
and Hester (Stevens) Williams, both natives of Indiana. Their ancestors were
among the hardy pioneers of the then wilderness of the eastern part of the
United States. In 1842, our subject came with his parents to Cincinnati, Ohio,
and in 1845 to Iowa. On April 8, 1850, they all started from Ottumwa, Iowa for
Oregon, and arrived on November 8, the same year, after a journey accompanied
with much suffering. Samuel Brooks, well known here, was in the same party. The
father took a donation claim and in 1858 returned to Chicago, where his death
occurred in 1861. The mother died at The Dalles, in 1886. William H. was
educated in the various places where the family dwelt and grew up amid frontier
surroundings. He was in the Indian wars of 1855-6, being in Company C, under
Captain Stafford, Lieutenant Colonel Kelley, and Colonel Naismeth. After the war
he went to Yreka, California and wrought in the mines until the spring of 1858.
Then he joined the rush to Fraser river and at Okanogan river in Washington, his
party was attacked by Indians and for twelve hours they fought the savages with
the loss of two men and then the battle ceased. A Mr. Robinson was in charge of
the party. After a few months in the Fraser country he returned to Oregon City
and married. In March, 1863, he came thence to his present place. His marriage
occurred on August 11, 1859 and Amanda Abbott was the lady who became his wife.
She was born in Oskaloosa, Iowa, the daughter of John and Catherine Abbott. Mr.
Williams has one brother, Taylor S., and two sisters, Lettie Holland, and Mary
Graham. 
Mrs. Williams has two brothers and two sisters, John, Robert, Mrs. Catherine
Kelley and Mrs. Tillie Hatch. To Mr. and Mrs. Williams the following named
children have been born: Richard H., at Goldendale, Washington; Charles F.,
farming near by; Frank, at Macy, Washington; Jerry M., at home; Harry, also at
home; Lew, in the stock business in Washington: Clyde, a railroad man at Macy,
Washington; Kate, the wife of Clarence Garrison, at St. Helens, Oregon; Hester,
wife of John Harris, mentioned in this volume; Nellie, the wife of John W.
Harris, a stock man and liveryman in Macy, Washington; Hazel, the wife of
Charles Creighton, on Threemile creek; Fay, wife of Andrew Dufur, Jr,. a farmer
on Fifteenmile; and Clara, single at home. Mr. Williams is an independent
Democrat and well informed on the topics of the day, being also interested in
school matters. He was road supervisor for many years, and has labored for over
forty years in building up this country and is a highly esteemed man.

*******************

Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in January 2005 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. 
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.