Chauncey Williamson submitted by Dick Barton

Chauncey Williamson,  a native of Onondaga County, Town of Spofford, New York, was born May  23, 1823.  He is the son of John and Nancy Williamson, natives of New  York.  When he was eight years old his parents removed from New York to  Pennsylvania, remaining there one winter; they then went to Monroe,  Ashtabula County, Ohio, and here our subject dwelt until he was twenty  years old, receiving a common-school education.  When he left Ohio he  went to Oakland County, Michigan, remaining there about six years; here  he was employed in various pursuits, and in the spring of 1850 he  started to California.  On reaching Council Bluffs he stopped, and  concluded to remain in Iowa.  Mr. Williamson  was married April 15,  1851, to Miss Elizabeth J. Liston.  Seven children were born to them -  George H., Matilda (deceased), Henry (deceased), John, Nancy, wife of  David Baughman; Mary, wife of C. A. Beebe, and David.  Mrs. Williamson  was called to the other life in October, 1869, at the age of thirty-nine  years.  Mr. Williamson was again married February 22, 1872, to Leanah,  the widow of Milton M. Beebe, and daughter of William and Polly  (Headrick) Van Ausdell.  She was born in Lawrence County, Ohio, May 29,  1826, and was married to Milton M. Beebe in Lee County, Iowa, in 1850.  They resided in Shelby County from 1851 until 1857, and during this time  Mr. Beebe figured quite prominently in business and political circles of  the county.  He was engaged in the mercantile trade in Manteno, and was  elected the first sheriff of the county.  In 1857 he removed to  Missouri, and died there before the close of the Rebellion.  In 1866  Mrs. Beebe and five children returned to Shelby County; the children are  - Luella G. (deceased), wife of Isaac Fauts; Georgianna V., wife of  George Williamson; Cornelius A., Kate I., wife of Henry Urfer; Mary M.,  wife of Marion Hawley.  Mr. Williamson and Mrs. Beebe were married  February 22, 1872.  After his first marriage Mr. Williamson resided in  Mills County, then Harrison County, and in 1854 came to Shelby County,  and purchased 160 acres of land in Grove Township, which he still makes  his home.  He has made many valuable improvements, erecting a residence  and barns for stock and grain.  Mr. Williamson has done much toward the  advancement and growth of this part of Shelby County, and has held many  positions of trust among the people.  He assisted in the organizing of  the school districts in his section.  In politics his sentiments find  expression in the principles of the Republican party.  Mr. and Mrs.  Williamson are consistent members of the reorganized church of Jesus  Christ, or the Latter-Day Saints, he having served as priest in this  body for twenty-six years.  They have been zealous workers in their  church, and have done much for the religious element of the community,  and are deserving of the regard in which they are held.