Andrew J. Williams, a native of Johnson County, Ind., was born October 4, 1850, and is a son of James and Juda (Wheeler) Williams. The father was a native of Overton County, Tenn.; was born December 23, 1811; the mother is a native of Adair County, Ky., and was born in 1816. Our subject’s early life was spent on the farm. He received a common school education. He was educated for the law, being a student with Judge Williamson, of Des Moines, Iowa, and was admitted to the bar about 1875. He removed to St. Joseph, Mo., and remained there in the practice of his profession two years, when he returned to Des Moines, and remained there three years. He then returned to Indiana, and settled in Johnson County. September 21, 1880, he was united in marriage to Miss Serena E. Beard, a daughter of John W. and Nancy (Farmbrough) Beard. This union was blessed with the following children: John F., born September 19, 1881; Thurlow W., December 4, 1882; James C. (deceased), February 5, 1884; Fleetwood P., April 15, 1885; Nellie L., August 3, 1886, and Lulu M., January 23, 1888. The mother of these children was born April 2, 1855. At the age of seventeen years, he began the battle for life for himself, by teaching school in Indiana three winter terms, and then went to Iowa where he taught two winter terms. He then went to Kansas, taught one winter term, and returned to Indiana, and commenced dealing in poultry, shipping to New York City. He remained in this business one year, and then returned to Iowa. His wife is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church. In politics, Mr. Williams is a republican, casting his first presidential vote for Hayes and Wheeler. He now owns 360 acres of good land.