Richmond in Fort Bend County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Williams Family
Photographed By Madeleine Schimmer, June 8, 2023
1. Williams Family Marker
Inscription.
Williams Family. . The southeastern road into Richmond is named Williams Way Boulevard after the Williams Family who shaped the area's history. Joseph Crawley Williams, Sr., born in the 1838 in Louisiana, came to Fort Bend County in 1860 after earning a law degree in Tennessee. He was a Captain in the Civil War 1861-1865. He served the county as Justice of the Peace (1869-1878), County Judge (1878-1880) and County Attorney (1886-1888). Williams married Annie L. Collins (1841-1863); they had one son. He later married Anna Maria Calder (1847-1923), daughter of Battle of San Jacinto hero Robert Calder. They had four daughters. Joseph, Sr. purchased hundreds of acres of land near Richmond, later passed down to his descendants., After his death in 1888, his son Joseph Crawley Williams, Jr. (1861-1921) expanded the land holdings, and worked as an agent and chief dispatcher for the Southern Pacific Railroad. He married Lola Nation (1867-1956), stepdaughter of the famous prohibitionist Carrie Nation. They had three sons and one daughter. After Joseph, Jr. died, his son Manford Nation Williams (1897-1982) took over the Williams family property to continue ranching and farming. He served on the area school board for 26 years from 1930 and saw to the development and expansion of the area school system. Manford Williams Elementary School was named for him in 1985. He married Margaret Steed (1914-2006) in 1943 and had one daughter, who with her daughters manages the Williams family interests. Members of the Williams family are buried in Morton Cemetery in Richmond.
The southeastern road into Richmond is named Williams Way Boulevard after the Williams Family who shaped the area's history. Joseph Crawley Williams, Sr., born in the 1838 in Louisiana, came to Fort Bend County in 1860 after earning a law degree in Tennessee. He was a Captain in the Civil War 1861-1865. He served the county as Justice of the Peace (1869-1878), County Judge (1878-1880) and County Attorney (1886-1888). Williams married Annie L. Collins (1841-1863); they had one son. He later married Anna Maria Calder (1847-1923), daughter of Battle of San Jacinto hero Robert Calder. They had four daughters. Joseph, Sr. purchased hundreds of acres of land near Richmond, later passed down to his descendants.
After his death in 1888, his son Joseph Crawley Williams, Jr. (1861-1921) expanded the land holdings, and worked as an agent and chief dispatcher for the Southern Pacific Railroad. He married Lola Nation (1867-1956), stepdaughter of the famous prohibitionist Carrie Nation. They had three sons and one daughter. After Joseph, Jr. died, his son Manford Nation Williams (1897-1982) took over the Williams family property to continue ranching and farming. He served on the area school board for 26 years from 1930 and saw to the development and expansion of the area school system. Manford Williams Elementary School was named for him
Click or scan to see this page online
in 1985. He married Margaret Steed (1914-2006) in 1943 and had one daughter, who with her daughters manages the Williams family interests. Members of the Williams family are buried in Morton Cemetery in Richmond.
Erected 2015 by Texas Histroical Commission. (Marker Number 18114.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.
Location. 29° 33.256′ N, 95° 43.109′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Texas, in Fort Bend County. Marker can be reached from Williams Way Boulevard near U.S. 59. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Richmond TX 77469, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 8, 2023, by Madeleine Schimmer of Richmond, Texas. This page has been viewed 99 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on June 8, 2023, by Madeleine Schimmer of Richmond, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
