Second Generation

5. Joseph Plumb "Joe" WILLIAMS Sr. was born on 2 May 1858 in Byron, Ogle County, IL.^1,14 (He was listed as "J. W." Williams in his mother's obituary.) He appeared in the census in 1860 in Byron, Ogle County, IL.² He appeared in the census in 1870 in Elkhorn, Walworth County, WI.¹² Joe appeared in the census in 1880 in Wilton, Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.⁴ He was living with his mother and his occupation was "Laborer."

He appeared in the census in 1900 in Fulton, Fulton Township, Whiteside County, IL.^7,9 His household was in the 3rd Ward and his occupation was "Telephone Lineman." Joe worked to string the first phone lines in Northern Illinois.

From Suanne Tuomi: "My Auntie Phil remembered him in his retirement years selling honey door to door. She remembered seeing him walking up and down the street carrying buckets of honey."

. He appeared in the census in 1910 in Freeport, Freeport Township, Stephenson County, IL.^3,14 His household was at 161 Clark Avenue and his occupation was "Carpenter, ... Factory." Joe appeared in the census in 1920 in Rockford, Rockford Township, Winnebago County, IL.³² His household was at 517 Cedar Street in the 3rd Ward and his occupation was "Laborer, Incubator (?) Factory." He appeared in the census in 1930 in Rockford, Rockford Township, Winnebago County, IL.³³ He was a "Roomer" in a household at 1218 10th Street and his occupation was "Retired.) He died on 24 January 1933 at the age of 74 in Rockford, Rockford Township, Winnebago County, IL.¹

Joseph Plumb "Joe" WILLIAMS Sr. and Nettie Sovilla GROFF were married on 14 February 1889 in Oregon, Ogle County, IL.^1,3 According to the 1900 Census, they had 3 children, of whom 3 were living at the time; according to the 1910, they had 5 children, of whom 5 were living. It is believed that they actually had six.

. Nettie Sovilla GROFF was born on 27 November 1870 in Stephenson County, IL.¹ She appeared in the census in 1900 in Fulton, Fulton Township, Whiteside County, IL.⁹ She appeared in the census in 1910 in Freeport, Freeport Township, Stephenson County, IL.³ Nettie appeared in the census in 1920 in Rockford, Rockford Township, Winnebago County, IL.³² She died on 4 November 1926 at the age of 55 in Rockford, Rockford Township, Winnebago County, IL.¹

Joseph Plumb "Joe" WILLIAMS Sr. and Nettie Sovilla GROFF had the following children: