Philip McWilliams
Phillip McWilliams is a native of Ross county, and a son of Samuel McWilliams, whose ancestors came from Ireland, when our country was yet in its infancy. He was born in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, in 1787; caiiie to Ross County, Ohio, in 1817, with his parents, by a two-horse wagon, and settled within one and one-half miles of Greenfield. He was married to Margaret Pollock, who bore him twelve children: William, Robert, Phillip, Joseph, Sarah, David, Mary Ann, Samuel, James, Mitchell, Thomas, and John. William, John, David, and Mary Ann, are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. McWilliams, sr., were members of the Presbyterian Church. He died of cancer, at the advanced age of eighty-two. She passed away in 1872.
Our subject was born, January 22, 1820, and when but an infant, his parents removed to Highland County, settling three and one-half miles south of Greenfield, on a tract of land which was then in a wild state. Our subject remained here until thirty-eight years of age, and assisted in improving the farm, thus bringing it to a high state of cultivation.
He was married, April 4, 1851, to Mary E., daughter of Jesse K. Bennett, of Highland County. Their union was blessed with six children; Margaret J., Willam R., Charlie O., Elizabeth, Hattie, and Russie C; William R, has passed to the other shore.
Mrs. McWilliams is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and known as a good and consistent Christian. Of the children, Margaret J. is married to Hugh Ghormley, and the others are still at home.
He is a Republican, and for many years held the office of township trustee. During the late war, he assisted iu driving the notorious Morgan raiders from our borders. His brothers, Mitchell and David, were in the 27th O. V. I. The former enlisted for three years, and when within three weeks of his time of being mustered out, was shot in the head, but subsequently recovered. David was killed at the battle of Atlanta, where so many of the brave soldiers from Fayette, Ross, and Highland counties laid down their lives. Their cold and lifeless bodies have slumbered sweetly for these many years, but their heroic deeds, and fine patriotic spirit which prompted them to perish in the defense of the union, cannot be erased from the annals of time.
Our subject purchased his farm in 1855. It contains one hundred and one acres, nicely improved, and located on the Good Hope and Greenfield pike, three miles from the latter place.
From R. S. Dills' History of Fayette County