Santa
Clara County
Biographies
FRANK E. WILLIAMS
Ex-Sheriff Frank E. Williams is widely known
throughout Santa Clara county, where he was elected in
1879 by the Republican party as the first sheriff under the charter of the new
constitution, taking up his official duties in the following year and maintaining
the same with credit to himself and those who had honored him with their
support. Previous to his service in a public capacity and since he has occupied
a substantial place among the agriculturists of the county. Born in Portage
county, Ohio, August 25, 1836, he was the son of Lyle and Lovina
(Frances) Williams.
Mr. Williams was reared to manhood
in his native state, where he received his education. His first occupation was
in the mercantile line, accepting a position as clerk in a general store in which
he afterward became a partner. This business was located in Newburg, then a
suburb, but now a part of the city of Cleveland. He remained for some time in
that location, when he disposed of his interests and went to Illinois,
remaining about a year in the Prairie state, visiting in various sections, when
he returned to Ohio. From his native state he went to New York City, where in
1857 he took passage on a steamer bound for the Golden West. On his arrival in
California he came at once to San Jose, where he secured employment on ranches.
Upon taking up the work for himself he rented land and subsequently purchased a
ranch on White and Kings road, where he engaged in raising hay and grain. He
was successful in his efforts until the dry season of 1864, when he met with
such reverses that he was compelled to dispose of his ranching interests. He
then located in San Francisco and followed clerking for about a year, when he
returned to Santa Clara county and in Evergreen purchased a ranch which
occupied his attention for some years. Not content with the mere cultivation of
his property he devoted much time and energy to various improvements and when
he sold out realized considerable profit. Purchasing another ranch he
interested himself in its cultivation and improvement for a year when he also
disposed of this, and in conjunction with L. White went into the livery
business in San Jose. While a resident of that city he was elected to the
position of sheriff of Santa Clara county, the first to occupy the position under
the charter of the new constitution. Upon the close of his official duties he
returned to his agricultural pursuits, purchasing the first ranch he had owned
in the state, to which he gave his attention until trading it for his present
property, located in East San Jose, at the corner of Webster and Williams
streets.
The marriage of Mr. Williams united
him with Amelia A. White, also a native of Portage county, Ohio, and a daughter
of John D. White, who crossed the plains with his family in 1857 and settled in
San Jose. He was a farmer buy occupation and spent his last days in this city.
His widow now makes her home with a son in Red Bluff,
Tehama county, Cal., while another son, P. H. White, lives in San Francisco.
Mrs. White is now ninety years old. To Mr. and Mrs. Williams were born the
following children: Marion Augusta Farnsworth; Everett F., an agriculturist of
San Jose; Charles Lewis, a contractor and builder of Seattle; Herbert O., in
business with his brother Charles L.; and Grace and Alice, at home with their
parents.
Transcribed By: Cecelia M. Setty.
Source: History of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast
Counties, California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Page 1378. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2016 Cecelia M. Setty.