From the 1885 History of Steuben County, Indiana

pages 440-441

Thomas B. Williams, M. D., located in Angola in April, 1864, and is the oldest regular practitioner now a resident of the county seat. His father, John R. Williams, was born in Wales, in May, 1808, and received a fine education in his native country. In 1830 he came to the United States and settled in Baltimore, but being the possessor of ample means he engaged in no active pursuit. He was married in Pittsburg, Penn., in 1834, to Ann June Burgess, a native of England, and to them were born ten children. Becoming permanently identified with the Washington temperance movement he moved, in 1841, to Pittsburg, where he labored zealously for the cause, and became well known throughout the United States as one of the most earnest temperance advocates of the day. He was well informed, a pleasant speaker, and well calculated to rescue and exalt fallen humanity. He continued his noble work till his death in Cleveland, Ohio. The subject of this sketch is the second of his family, and was born in Baltimore, Md., Sept. 6, 1838. He removed with his family to Pittsburg in 1841, and in 1847 to Columbiana County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood, and received a liberal literary and scientific education. In 1860 he entered the office of Dr. B. W. Speer, of Salem, Ohio, remaining a year, when he went to Cleveland, and continued his studies with Dr. M. F. Brooks, Chief Surgeon of the United States Marine Hospital, remaining there as student and physician until April, 1864, when he located in Angola, Ind. While studying at the Marine Hospital he attended lectures at the Cleveland Medical College and graduated in the winter of 1863. His training in the hospital fitted him for the many arduous duties that fall to the lot of an experienced practitioner, and his courage and skill in dangerous cases have won him the confidence of his patients and the esteem of his brother practitioners. He has a large practice which yields him a good revenue. Of a kind, sympathetic nature his presence in the sick room is comforting, as well as reassuring. A man of keen perceptions, quick to read human character, he is especially adapted to the sphere of a physician. Dignified in his bearing, yet pleasant and affable, he has many social friends who prize his friendship and admire his upright and straightforward course. Benevolent and liberal, he is the friend of the poor and needy, never refusing medical aid to any. Dr. Williams is a member of the Steuben County Medical and Surgical Society, and of the Michigan Southern Medical Society, and is one of the Censors of the Wayne Medical College. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He was married in Angola, Aug. 9, 1866, to Mary Carkhoff, daughter of William Carkhoff, one of the leading early citizens of Angola. They have one child -- William.

Submitted by Kim Davoli

E-mail: davoli82@juno.com