Obit: Williams, Collins (1838 - 1923)
Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: WILLIAMS HOLMES DAVEL

----Source: LOYAL TRIBUNE (Loyal, Clark County, Wis.) 04/12/1923

Williams, Collins (28 Feb 1838 - 5 Apr 1923)

Collins Williams, a civil war veteran and one of the most highly respected citizens of our village, answered his final call Thursday morning, April 5th, 1923, at his home, after an illness of only a few days.

Mr. Williams was born at Fort Ann, Washington Co., N.Y., Feb. 28, 1838. Son of Joseph H. and Kiziah Williams, he was one of four brothers, John, LeRoy and Morton.

With his parents he came to Wisconsin and settled at Mayville, Dodge County. The date of coming to Wisconsin we were unable to learn. Later the family moved to Clark County, both parents taking up homesteads south of Loyal.

Mr. Williams enlisted as a private at Fond du Lac, Wis., Oct. 18, 1864, Co. D. 44th Wis. Vol. Infantry. When discharged at Jeffersonville, Indiana, July 1st, 1865, Mr. Williams was a corporal. Mr. Williams enlisted at almost the close of the war but saw actual service in the Battle of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge under Gen. Thomas. After the war Mr. Williams worked at Neillsville driving the tole team between Neillsville and Sparta. In later years when conversing with Mr. Williams he would tell of many of his experiences in those early days that proved very interesting. Mr. Williams followed his trade of painter and paper hanger for a number of years, until his health would not permit.

Dec. 25, 1870 he was united in marriage at Neillsville to Miss Julia Holmes, and for several years lived on the homestead southwest of Loyal, moving from there to Loyal and later to Spencer in 1876, where they have since resided. Two children bless this union, Miss Effie Williams and Mrs. John Davel.

Mr. Williams was a very active member of the G. A. R. and always willing and eager to do all in his power to keep the Flag and the country for which he fought, untarnished.

Not only did Spencer esteem Mr. Williams as a Civil War Veteran, but also as a citizen. He always had a pleasant word for all whom he met on the street and at all times was ready to render assistance to all, old and young.

He was a kind father and husband and his death is the first link of the family chain to fall away.

The funeral was held Saturday with service in the M. E. Church, conducted by Rev. Chas. Brown, with burial in the Spencer Cemetery.

Members of the American Legion acted as pallbearers and gave the military honors at the grave. The casket was covered with flowers, an expression of the esteem in which he was held in this community. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, four grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Mr. Williams' death lessens the number of Civil War Veterans here, leaving four to survive him, Wesley Vanderhoof, Jeff Genett, Tom Welch and Wesley Rice. Due to the stormy weather, Mr. Genett was the only one to attend the funeral.

Those from away who attended were: Mr. Harry Wilkins, Ramsey, Mich., Mr. Jerome Misuraca, Ramsey, Mich., Miss Ida Holmes, Columbus, Wis., Mr. Roy Holmes, Fond du Lac, Wis., Mr. and Mrs. Edge, Nekoosa, Wis., Vernal Davel, Ripon, and Lyle Davel, Wausau.