1887 Biography of Zadok T. WILLIAMS

One of the prominent men of Blackford County [Indiana], is a native of Indiana, born in Delaware County, December 2, 1836, a son of William Y. and Sarah (TOMLINSON) Williams. His father was born in Preble County, Ohio, May 17, 1812, where he was reared, and was there married to Miss Sarah TOMLINSON, who was also a native of Preble County, her parents coming from North Carolina in an early day. In February, 1834, he came with his wife and one child by team to Indiana, and located on a tract of eighty acres of wild land in Delaware County, Center Township, which he has previously entered, they being among the early settlers of that county. At the time, Muncie, the county seat, was a mere trading post, consisting of one grocery and a log jail, no court house. Game of all kinds was abundant, but Mr. WILLIAMS was no hunter. He has resided on the land on which he first located for over half a century, and has witnessed the entire transformation of the county from a wilderness to its present position among the most prosperous communities of Indiana. He has advanced with the county, and has accumulated large property interests, becoming one of the wealthy men of Delaware County. His wife died June 29, 1856, and in April, 1857, he was married to Miss Esther MARONEY, who was born in Preble County, Ohio about the year 1817. Zadok WILLIAMS, whose name heads this sketch, grew to manhood in Delaware County, where he was reared to the avocation of a farmer on the home farm. He was married August 21, 1858, to Miss Lydia D. DOUGHERTY, who was born in Mount Pleasant Township, Delaware County, a daughter of William and Deborah (Combs) Dougherty, her father born in Clinton County, Ohio, and her mother a native of Virginia. They were among the early pioneers of Delaware county, and on coming to the county settled on the river some six miles below Muncie. Mr. and Mrs. WILLIAMS are the parents of five children - William A., a farmer of Licking Township, Blackford County; Sarah, wife of Eaton C. ATKINSON; Alonzo M., also engaged in farming in Licking Township; Amanda J. and Emma. Mr. WILLIAMS remained at his father's homestead until October 26, 1858, when he moved to Blackford County, and settled on his present farm on section 19, Licking Township, which had been bought into the family some years before. When Mr. WILLIAMS came to the township he found his land right in the woods, with no improvements save the erection of small log cabin, and here he and his wife commenced keeping house. He has had all the improvements made on the farm as well as on the other property, and now has 230 acres of land, of which 180 acres at least is cleared and under cultivation. He at one time owned considerable real estate, but with the exception of the 230 acres mentioned above, he has divided among his children, giving them a good farm apiece to start in life. In politics Mr. WILLIAMS is a Republican. October 9, 1886, he received the Republican nomination at Hartford City for county commissioner, and although the county is strongly Democratic, he gained the election by a majority of fifty-six votes, which clearly indicates his popularity in the county, and in securing the election he did no lose a half day from his regular work. Mr. WILLIAMS has never been an office seeker, this being the first time he has made the race for office, although he has been supervisor of his township more than once. He is one of the substantial and most respected men of Licking Township. His land is among the best in the county, well improved, and underdrained throughout. His residence is beautifully situated and commands an excellent view of the surrounding country.