Victor Arnold Williams
Victor Arnold Williams, in former years well known throughout Genoa Township as a prosperous farmer and stock raiser, was born on the farm of which he was afterward the proprietor, in August, 1839. His parents, William and Lucinda (Phelps) Williams, were married in Blendon, Franklin County, Ohio. William Williams, who was a native of this State, in his youth accompanied his father to Delaware County, they being among the pioneers of Genoa Township. Here the elder Williams, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, bought some hundreds of acres of land from the Government, as part of which he subsequently cleared. He spent the rest of his life on his property, engaged in agriculture, being known as a good reliable citizen.
William Williams also became a prosperous farmer and was a much respected citizen of this township. He and his wife Lucinda were the parents of a large family of fifteen children, all of whom were born on the present homestead, which was purchased by him. This originally consisted of 140 acres, most of which he cleared, besides making the present improvements. He owned in all several hundred acres in Genoa Township. In politics he was a Republican. He died on his farm here at a ripe age.
Victor Arnold Williams was educated in the district schools of Genoa Township, and was reared to agricultural pursuits, which, with stock-raising, he followed through life. He was married September 12, 1865, to Priscilla Martin, a native of Pennsylvania, and daughter of Richard Martin, who was in his latter years a farmer of Genoa Township, but who is now deceased. Richard Martin was a native of Pennsylvania, in which State he married. His wife was in maidenhood Sarah Konkle, and was born, reared, and educated in Pennsylvania. They were of German and Welsh ancestry respectively. They were the parents of thirteen children -- eight sons and five daughters -- nine of whom were born in Genoa Township and four in Pennsylvania. The family came to Delaware County in 1852. Mr. Martin conducting a grocery store for a number of years in Genoa Township. In addition to his mercantile business, he conducted a small farm, and resided on it until his death, which occurred when he was sixty-five years old. He was a life long Democrat, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. And Mrs. Williams located on the present place at the time of their marriage. Though they never denied themselves any of the reasonable comforts of life, they were frugal and industrious, and attained a fair measure of prosperity. Mr. Williams died in 1903, at the age of sixty-four years. He was wifely known and respected, and his death removed from the community one of its best citizens, and a worthy representative of its agricultural interests. He was a Republican politically. Mrs. Williams continues to reside on the homestead and enjoys the esteem of all who know her for her kind, neighborly characteristics. She has been the mother of five children -- three sons and two daughters -- namely: Lucinda, Clayton, Effie, Clifton, and Clarence, all of whom are worthy members of the community.
From 20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908