Robert Deveaux Williams

b. 28 May 1877, d. 4 July 1942

Robert Deveaux Williams, 1877-1942
  • Robert Deveaux Williams was born on 28 May 1877 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York.
  • He was baptized/christened on 16 September 1877 at Zion Lutheran Church in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, sponsored by Marcus Zeifang, Ursula Stähle and Christiana Fink.
  • He was known as Bert.
  • Samuel Deveaux Williams and Johanna Stahle appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in Milan Township, Monroe County, Michigan. Other members of the household included Robert Deveaux Williams, Frederick L. Williams and Hiram Hobert Williams.
  • Robert Deveaux Williams appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Tyler Township, Spokane County, Washington. Other members of the household included Hiram Hobert Williams, Nellie Mae Williams and Gerald William Blunt.
  • He was in business with his brother Hiram as a retail cigar merchant, according to the 1910 census.
  • He married Edith Abby Mills, daughter of Alexander Mills and Emma Winston Parrott, on 18 July 1912 in Ritzville, Adams County, Washington.
  • Robert Deveaux Williams was photographed about 1915 at his Fishtrap resort with sisters Belle and Nellie and brother Hiram, and their spouses.
  • Robert Deveaux Williams registered for the draft on 12 September 1918 in Spokane County, Washington, while living with his wife Edith in Fishtrap, Lincoln County. On his registration card, he cites loss of his right hand as a physical disqualification.
  • Robert Deveaux Williams became a widower at the 11 November 1918 death of his wife Edith Abby Mills.
  • The following appeared on 15 November 1918 in The Sprague Advocate: Mrs. R. D. Williams of Fishtrap died Monday evening of influenza-pneumonia. Several other members of the Williams household are ill with the epidemic. The obituary following give the facts concerning Mrs. Williams's life. Edith A. Mills was born at Bismark, N. D. Feb 6, 1884. She was the oldest child of Mr. and Mrs. Alec Mills. At seven years of age she came with her parent to Washington and has lived in or near Sprague since 1894. She attended the rural school near her home and later entered the Sprague High School from which she graduated with the class of 1903. During school days her gentle friendly ways and quiet helpfulness made her beloved among her follow student. Gifted with a bright mind and a studious disposition she early entered the teaching profession. After teaching a number of terms in the rural schools she was appointed Deputy Superintendent of County Schools by Miss Margaret Craig and served four years in that capacity. For three succeeding this she taught in the Sprague Public Schools. Her work whether in school room or office was always of the high standard which is the result of earnest endeavor and serious devotion to duty. Many fine young lives with which she came in contact as a teacher will bear witness to the impression made upon them by her noble character. She was united in marriage at Ritzville, Jul 18, 1912, to R. D. Williams of Fishtrap, Washington and since that time resided at the Lake. Two years ago a little son, Dean, came to bless their home. Mrs. Williams was a member of the Congregational Church in which she was always a sincere and earnest worker. Her death coming so suddenly just when life seemed at its fullest and best is a sad blow to the entire community and especially to her bereaved family. Besides her devoted husband and little son, she leaves her parents; Mr. and Mrs. Alec Mills, brothers Arthur and Robert, and sisters Alta and Aileen to mourn her early departure. A large number of relatives and friends extend sympathy to these sorrowing ones. Her life of thirty four years seem short indeed but measured by it's usefulness it was long for it was crowded with good deeds and devotion to duty and characterized by gentleness and thotfullness for others. Her loved presence will be missed among us but her tender memory will linger a a benediction bringing peace and comfort to the sorrowing hearts of her loved ones. She was laid to rest Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 13. in the Maccabee Cemetery, Rev. Faulkner officiating.
  • Robert Deveaux Williams appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in Graves Township, Spokane County, Washington, at Carman Road enumerated next to his brother Hiram.. Also in the household was hired man Cass Hulbert, age 54.
  • He was a farmer, according to the 1920 census.
  • The following appeared on 12 December 1924 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: The People of the State of New York, to George H. Williams, brother of Hiram P. Williams, deceased, whose residence and post office address is unknown and cannot after due diligence be ascertained, and to Robert, Hiram, Howard, Thurlow, Belle, Nell and Edna Williams, nephews and nieces of Hiram P. Williams, deceased, all of the State of Washington but whose places of residence and post office addresses are unknown and cannot after due diligence be ascertained and to all the heirs-at-law and next of kin of Hiram P. Williams, deceased, formerly of the City of Niagara Falls, N. Y.
    [:TAB] Whereas Florence Dennison, who resides at the City of Niagara Falls, New York, has presented a petition to the Surrogate's Court of our County of Niagara, praying for a cecree that a certain instrument in writing, bearing date the 10th day of July, 1921, relating to both real and personal property, be duly proved and admitted to probate as the last will and testament of Hiram P. Williams, late of the City of Niagara Falls in the County of Niagara, and State of New York, deceased.
         Therefore, you and each of you, are cited to show cause before the Surrogate's Court of our County of Niagara, at the Court House, in the City of Niagara, at the Court House, in the City of Niagara Falls, 249 Second Street, in the said County of Niagara, on the 20th day of December, 1924, at 2 o'clock in the afternoon of that day, why such a decree should not be made.
         In testimony whereof, we have caqused the Seal of said Surrogate's Court to be hereunto affixed.
         Witness, Hon. Charles Hickey, Surrogate of our said County of Niagara, at Niagara Falls, N. Y., this 15th day of November, 1924.
         Elizabeth E. Tenbrook, Clerk of the Currogate's Court.
         Gervase Rhoney, Attorney for Executrix, Main and Niagara Avenue, Niagara Falls, N. Y.
  • Johanna Stahle Williams Gaertner was photographed about 1926 surrounded by many members of her large family.
  • Robert Deveaux Williams appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in Sprague, Lincoln County, Washington, at First Street. Other members of the household included Dean Deveaux Williams, Alexander Mills and Emma Winston Parrott. Robert and son Dean also are enumerated in 1930 in adjacent Adams County.
  • Robert Deveaux Williams appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in Keystone Precinct, Adams County, Washington. Other members of the household included Dean Deveaux Williams. Also in the household were nephew Robert Stone, age 16, and dairy farm laborer Harry Inman. Robert and son Dean also are enumerated in 1930 in adjacent Lincoln County.
  • He was manager of a lake resort, according to the 1930 census in Lincoln County, and operating a dairy farm in Adams County.
  • Robert Deveaux Williams registered for the draft in 1942 while living in Sprague, Lincoln County, Washington, and self-employed as a lake resort operator. Contact person is Mrs. Edna Tharp of Sprague, likely his deceased wife's sister.
  • Robert Deveaux Williams died on 4 July 1942 at age 65 in Fishtrap, Spokane County, Washington.
  • He was interred at Maccabee Cemetery, Sprague, Lincoln County, Washington.
  • The following appeared on 9 July 1942 in the Ritzville Journal-Times: Funeral services for Robert D. Williams, pioneer proprietor of the Fishtrap lake resort who died July 4, were held Tuesday at the Congregational church in Sprague. Burial was in the Macabee cemetery.
         Mr. Williams came west from Michigan 40 years ago, started the resort and had been operating it ever since.
  • From the Sprague Mortuary ledger: Record of Funeral of Robert Deveaux Williams. Residence: Fishtrap Lake Resort, (WA). Birth: May 28, 1877 at Niagara Falls, NY; Death: July 4, 1942, at Fishtrap, WA. Aged: 65 yrs 1 mo 6 days. Male, white, widower, Resort proprietor. Father: Samuel D Williams, born Niagara Falls, NY; Mother: Johanna Stahley, born Niagara Falls, NY. Physician: Dr M A West of Cheney, WA. Burial: Maccabee Cemetery. Funeral: Congregational Church at 2 p.m. Interment: 7-07-1942.
  • Last Edited: 24 Feb 2014

Family: Edith Abby Mills b. 6 February 1884, d. 11 November 1918