Butte County
Biographies
A man who is always willing to assist others on their pathway and make life a little brighter is found in the person of John Thomas Williams, a resident of the Durham district in Butte County. A native son, he was born on April 3, 1860, in San Joaquin County, on the ranch situated about eighteen miles east of Stockton, owned and operated by his father, James Madison Williams, whose life history will be found on another page of this history in the sketch of William W. Williams.
The youngest member of his father’s family, John Thomas Williams was but seven years old when the family settled in Butte County. Here the boy attended the common schools on Dry Creek, and later on Little Dry Creek, in the Stoneman district. From a small boy he was familiar with the stock business, and rode the range in looking after his father’s stock, which consisted of cattle, mules and hogs. He became used to the hardships encountered in riding the range and grew to a sturdy manhood. At the age of seventeen, with his brother, W. W. Williams, as a partner, he embarked in the sheep business, which he continued for seven years, when he sold out.
Mr. Williams then went to Idaho, where he followed lumbering for two years in Idaho County. From there he went to North Yakima, Wash., and then to Walla Walla, spending about two years in the two places. He then came back to the scenes of his boyhood with money enough to warrant his buying a quarter section of land on Little Dry Creek, where he began raising cattle. He established the brand W. with a swallow fork in both ears, which is still recognized. As he prospered he added another tract of eighty acres adjoining, and still later three hundred twenty acres further up the creek, so that he now owns five hundred sixty acres, all well watered from Little Dry Creek, which sinks in on the lower part of his ranch, but gives him ample supply for his stock the year round. In the summer time he runs his cattle in Coon Hollow, on the government reserve. He has a fine herd of cattle, and also raises a number of hogs, which add materially to his annual revenue.
Mr. Williams’ success has been the result of his own efforts and perseverance. He is ever found ready to champion the movements for the betterment of conditions in general, and is serving as road overseer of his district. In politics he is a Democrat. Of a good-natured, hospitable and cheerful disposition, he has made many friends in Butte County. Mr. Williams is a member of the Loyal Order of Moose.
Transcribed
by Roseann Kerby.
Source: "History of
Butte County, Cal.," by George C. Mansfield, Page 1096, Historic Record Co, Los Angeles, CA, 1918.
© 2009 Roseann Kerby.
Golden Nugget Library's Butte County Biographies