Clark, Robert Carlton, Ph.D. "History of the Willamette Valley Oregon." Vol. 3. Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1927. p. 129. WILLIAM WILLIAMS One of the real "old timers" of the Willamette Valley is William Williams, of Dexter, Lane county, who has spent his entire lifetime of nearly seventy years in this locality, has literally grown up with the country and has been a conspicuous factor in its development and progress, along both commercial and agricultural lines. He was born in Lost valley, near Dexter, in 1858, and is a son of Thomas and Hannah (Levering) Williams, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, where they were reared and married. From that state they moved to Ohio, and in 1853 came across the plains, with ox teams, through the Willamette pass to the Willamette valley. During their journey they had many severe experiences and at one time were lost in the mountains. The father took up a donation claim in Lost valley and there spent his remaining years. William Williams was there reared and secured his education in the district school of that neighborhood. When he was but eleven years old he drove four yoke of oxen to Portland, a distance of one hundred and fifty miles, taking down a load of farm produce, in exchange for which he brought back salt, lime and other supplies for the farm. For some years he was employed as a logger and river driver and then bought a small farm at Walterville, where he also established a store. Later he sold out there and bought land and a store at Dexter, where he has remained to the present time. He was successful in his business affairs and as he prospered he bought more land, until now he is the owner of seven hundred acres at Dexter, where he also conducts a large general store. Mrs. Williams is serving as postmaster at that place. He also owns a ranch of three hundred and twenty acres in Klamath county. In all of his affairs he has exercised good judgment and the prosperity which is now his is well merited. Mr. Williams has been married twice, first, in 1881, to Miss Bertha Parvin, a daughter of James Parvin, who in 1853 located in Lost valley, where he took up a donation claim. He became well-to-do and was a liberal contributor to the University of Oregon at the time of its building. His wife, whose maiden name was Salma Parker, was a native of Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Williams were born two daughters: Bertha, who became the wife of S. H. Jacobs, of Trent, Oregon, and is the mother of four children, Leslie, Lacey, Gordon and Dean; and Mabel, who is the wife of J. Roy Hills, of Jasper, Oregon, and has a daughter, Alma. The mother of these children died in 1885 and subsequently Mr. Williams was married to her sister. Miss Ida Parvin, and they have become parents of seven children: Alta L, born November 13, 1890, is the wife of L. E. Yomie, of Lafayette, California, and has a son, John Wesley, born June 9, 1927; Bernice H., born May 8, 1892, lives in California and is a traveling salesman; Claire C., born August 2, 1896, married Murl Arnold and has a daughter, Marie, and son, Robert; William was born on June 12, 1898; Geneva, born June 14, 1900, is the wife of J. I. Higgins; Monteith, born May 29, 1902, wedded Mary Cook and has a daughter, Barbara; and Carroll was born April 5, 1905. Mr. Williams is widely and favorably known throughout the Willamette Valley and is regarded as one of its most progressive and influential men. He and his brother Charles drove ox teams in the "Trail to Rail" pageant which was held in Eugene in 1926. A man of stanch integrity in motive and action, cordial and friendly in manner, and consistent and loyal in every relation of life, he has long- stood as one of the representative men of his community and commands the sincere respect of all who know him. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in April 2011 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.