Charles Williams - 100th birthday biography

WILLIAMS, MILLER, LYFORD, MINER, SOESBE, CAVE, HENLINE, GREEN, LACY

Posted By: Sharyl Ferrall (email)
Date: 5/15/2005 at 04:36:27

Greene's oldest citizen, Charles Williams, celebrated his 100th birthday anniversary yesterday, November 17. "Charley" as his friends call him was born on a farm near a place called York, about three miles south of the present town of Edgewood. The family traded mostly at Manchester. York ceased to be when he was ten years old and the post office was moved to Yankee Settlement, the present town of Edgewood. The farm was sold in the spring of 1877 and the family moved to Osage. That summer they purchased a farm east of Greene now owned by Herman Miller. His father built a frame house while Charley did the fall plowing. After he and Miss Cora Lyford were married on December 14, 1886 they continued to live on the farm until it was sold in 1892. He was connected with the bank at Marble Rock for five years before moving to Greene, where he puchased the hardware store of Justin Peaks. Two years later he sold it to Chet Miner. Charley has succeeded in a variety of occupations. He was with the First State Bank until 1903 when he became associated with E.W. Soesbe in organizing the Merchants National Bank. He sold his interest in the bank later and established a real estate business. When cars began to replace horses to a large extent, he sold cars, every make from Fords to Cadillacs. His hearing began to fail in 1915 and for many years he used a hearing aid. However, in later years he has suffered a complete loss of hearing, but can read the lips of his close friends and carries a pad and pencil in order to understand others. Mrs. Williams died in 1933, and her sister-in-law, Mrs. Nellie Lyford kept house for him until her death, then he went to live with his brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. Vern Cave. His sister died in 1955. Since 1956 he has made his home with Mr. and Mrs. Roy Henline. The Henlines' purchased Charley's old home, where he had lived for 50 years and he occupies the same bedroom. He has always been interested and active in the affairs of the town, and helped to organize the Light and Power Company, the Round Grove Golf and Country Club and the waterworks system. He has enjoyed good health and has a good appetite, being especially fond of pop corn and pie. He reads a part of every day and watches bowling on television. When he was younger, horse racing was one of his favorites. He has been a Mason for 68 years and is a member of the Shrine and the Masonic Blue Lodge. Charley voted in the last presidential election. He received a card containing birthday greetings from President Eisenhower on Saturday. The Henlines entertained at a family dinner in his honor Sunday. Guests were Miss Esther Green of New Rochelle, New York; Lyford Green of Scarsdale, New York; Dr. and Mrs. Lloyd E. Lacey of Felton, California and Lloyd Lacey, Jr.

source: Greene Recorder; November 18, 1959