Levy Williamson, 1878

stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org on Sun, 11 Feb 2001

Surname: WILLIAMSON, OLSON, HURST

----Source: 1918 History of Clark Co., WI, by Franklyn, Curtiss-Wedge

LEVY WILLIAMSON, proprietor and editor of the Neillsville Times, was born in Rochester, Ind., Dec. 28, 1878, son of William and Josephine (Olson) Williamson. The parents were natives of Norway, where they were married, coming to the United States as a young couple about 1876. The father, who was a musician in Norway, followed that profession, in connection with piano tuning, in this country, making his home in Rochester, Ind. He and his wife had two children: Ragahild, who married R. W. Hurst of Louisville, Ky" and Levy, of Neillsville, Wis. Levy Williamson acquired a good education, being graduated from the Rochester (Ind.) high school and from the Northwestern University at Evanston, Ill., where he took a special course in literary work. Thus mentally well equipped, he became assistant city editor of the Indianapolis Sentinel, which position he held until 1903, in which year he went to Athens, Wis., for three years subsequently being manager of the Athens Record.

In 1906 Mr. Williamson purchased the Neillsville Times, a Republican organ, from L. B. Ring, and has since conducted the paper successfully, also identifying himself closely with local interests generally. For five years he was secretary of the Clark County Fair Association, and he has been secretary of the canning factory since its organization. He is a member of the Free Library Board of Neillsville and for two terms has satisfactorily performed the duties of city clerk. In all concerns with which he has been connected he has shown himself a man of ability and enterprise and has gained a position of influence in the community. His fraternal society affiliations are with the Blue Lodge and Chapter of the Masonic order at Neillsville, and with the local lodges of Modern Woodmen, Odd Fellows and Moose.

Mr. Williamson was married, Oct. 1, 1903, to Mary Bruly, daughter of Edward and Mary Bruly, her parents being pioneer settlers of Clark County. He and his wife have one son, Louis, who was born April 9, 1905.