Tenth Generation

67. Celesta H. WILLIAMS was born on 26 July 1816 in Williamstown, Oswego County, NY.^1,6,8,11,19 (Her given name may have been spelled "Celestia" or "Celeste.")

General Notes: Census: 8-11-1850-Newton Township (Manitowoc) Wisconsin-District # 19-Celesta was living with her husband, her mother, a sister and a brother, 34 years old, not employed, born in New York, and not attending school. Household # 554 Family # 565 Line # 30.
6-15-1860-Greenbush Township (Sheboygan) Wisconsin-P.O. Greenbush, Wisconsin-Celestia was living with her husband, and 4 children, 43 years old, and born in New York. Household # 424 Family # 416 Line # 2.
6-14-1870-Lincoln township (Monroe) Wisconsin-"Celestine" was 53 years old, living with her husband and 4 children, keeping house, and was born in New York. Household # 216 Family # 258 Line # 20.
6-1-1880-LaGrange (Monroe) Wisconsin-Celesta wasl living with her husband , son Peter and his wife, 63 years old, married, keeping house, and born in New York as were both parents. Household # 13 Family # 13 Line # 5.
She appeared in the census in 1850 in Newton Township, Manitowoc County, WI.⁹ She appeared in the census in 1860 in Greenbush Township, Sheboygan County, WI.²⁰ Celesta appeared in the census in 1870 in Lincoln Township, Monroe County, WI.¹¹ She appeared in the census in 1880 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.⁵ Their household was next to that of one of her brothers, Jeremiah Williams. She died on 3 December 1888 at the age of 72 in Waupaca, Waupaca County, WI.^1,8,19 at the Veteran's Home.

Celesta H. WILLIAMS and Elisha William HOWARD were married on 19 December 1847 in Sheboygan Falls, Sheboygan County, WI.^6,19,21 Elisha William HOWARD, son of John William HOWARD and Mary BON, was born on 5 July 1821 in Norwalk, Huron County, OH.²²

Elisha fought in a Wisconsin unit in the Civil War. He enlisted with James Espy Williams in the same cavalry unit and served in the same campaign that resulted in the capture of Vicksburg.

On December 10, 1850 (the same date as Mark Williams' purchase in this area) was a sale to Elisha W. Howard of 40 acres of land described as the "West half of the West half of the North East quarter of Section thirty four in Township nineteen North of Range twenty tree East." His price was $65.00. This information was found in a visit to Manitowoc by Harry J. Williams.

1860's Military Service: Co C, 4 th Wisconsin Calvary
He appeared in the census in 1850 in Newton Township, Manitowoc County, WI.^3,9 He was listed as "E. W." and his occupation was "Farmer." He appeared in the census in 1860 in Greenbush Township, Sheboygan County, WI.²⁰ His occupation was "Day Laborer." Elisha appeared in the census in 1870 in Lincoln Township, Monroe County, WI.^11,23 His household consisted of Elisha; his wife, "Celestin;" "Julius E.," a male, age 18, occupation "Farm Laborer"; Elisha D., a male, age 17, occupation "Farm Laborer"; John W., a male, age 14; and Peter C., a male, age 12. It is possible that the enumerator confused "Julius" with their daughter Julia, who also would have been age 18 at that time. His occupation was "Farmer." He appeared in the census in 1880 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.⁵ His occupation was "Farmer." The census shows that he was suffering from a "Hernia." He died on 5 July 1883 at the age of 62 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.^19,24,25 (The cemetery records and his gravestone list his date of death as 9 July 1883, although the Monroe County Genealogical Branches Index lists it as 1885.) Elisha was buried in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.²⁶ in the Oak Grove Cemetery.

Celesta H. WILLIAMS and Elisha William HOWARD had the following children: