was a remarkable woman, intelligent, energetic, with resource-
ful disposition to be adapted to pioneer conditions. She
taught school in her own house, cut and made men's best
clothes, and cared for a flower garden that was the pride of
Rutland for many years. She had two children, a daughter,
born February 21st, 1811, married Rev. James Mitchell, went
to Illinois in 1855, and died February 3d, 1881. Mrs. Electa
Williams died at her daughter's in Illinois, in 1865, aged 87
years. Her husband died July 26th, 1873. The son, Benjamin
Selah Williams, was born November 18th, 1808, and married
Elizabeth L. Brown, of Athens county, and lived on the home-
stead farm where he was born until his death, February 17th,
1891, aged 82 years, 3 months. Mrs. Williams was born July
2d, 1811, and died February 14th, 1897, aged 85 years, 7
months, 12 days. They had a numerous family of sons and
daughters, but they, except two children, James and Mary, left
Ohio for the West.
Sophia Higley was married to Asa Stearns, a Free Will
Baptist preacher, finally settled in Mercer county, Ohio, where
they both died. They had four children, Rufus, Amos, Louise,
and Joel.
Elam Higley was a soldier in the War of 1812 and served
under General Harrison in the Army of the Northwest. He
married Sally Clarke, and settled on a farm in the northeast
corner of Rutland township. They had one child, Austin
Higley, who went to Iowa about 1876, and died there.
An incident in the life of Elam Higley is worth relating.
After his enlistment, when about to leave home, his mother
gave him a Bible with directions to put it in a side pocket
of his coat, already made for its reception. When in the Maumee
country they had a skirmish with the enemy, and a bullet
fired by an Indian, aimed at Elam's heart, struck that Bible
but did not pass through, thus his life was preserved. His
comrades said, "Elam thought himself badly wounded, but the
ball was found in the Bible, and he was not hurt."
