One of the roads leading out of Clayton is the Williams Valley Road.
One direct decendant of the Williams Valley area is Louella Millner Dow. She is the daughter of Grace Kratzer Milner and Granddaughter of Mr. Edward M. Kratzer. Luella narrated the following:
Our Grandpa Kratzer came from Bavaria which is now part of Germany. He settled in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, which is now called "Pennsylvania Dutch" country. Grandpa Kratzer farmed all of his life with horses and never drove a car. He left his relatives in Pennsylvania and traveled west. In 1889 a Mr. Johnson was looking for some one who would buy his homestead patent in the Williams Valley area 6 miles west of Deer Park. This became the farm where my mother Grace Kratzer Milner was born and my sister Lorraine Ball and I grew up. Our Grandpa Kratzer was a very strong man for one of small stature. He worked hard. He sang bass and like to sing along when someone played hymns. He was almost blind the last few years of his life. He spent many evenings sitting in front of the heating stove in the kitchen while I read farming articles or the Bible to him. He often fell asleep, but the moment I stopped reading he woke up and asked me to continue. There was this singing contest at the Williams Valley Grange one-year. One man's quartet sang a typical German folksong which didn't win first prize. Grandpa thought they were the best quartet and should've won. Many years later I realized this was the music he was acustomed to and enjoyed in his early years of life. Grandpa Kratzer had a quiet dignity about him. I always respected him and loved him. He lived to be 93 and is buried in the Williams Valley Cemetery.
Luella Dow
Our Grandpa Kratzer came from Bavaria which is now part of Germany. He settled in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, which is now called "Pennsylvania Dutch" country. Grandpa Kratzer farmed all of his life with horses and never drove a car. He left his relatives in Pennsylvania and traveled west. In 1889 a Mr. Johnson was looking for some one who would buy his homestead patent in the Williams Valley area 6 miles west of Deer Park. This became the farm where my mother Grace Kratzer Milner was born and my sister Lorraine Ball and I grew up. Our Grandpa Kratzer was a very strong man for one of small stature. He worked hard. He sang bass and like to sing along when someone played hymns. He was almost blind the last few years of his life. He spent many evenings sitting in front of the heating stove in the kitchen while I read farming articles or the Bible to him. He often fell asleep, but the moment I stopped reading he woke up and asked me to continue. There was this singing contest at the Williams Valley Grange one-year. One man's quartet sang a typical German folksong which didn't win first prize. Grandpa thought they were the best quartet and should've won. Many years later I realized this was the music he was acustomed to and enjoyed in his early years of life. Grandpa Kratzer had a quiet dignity about him. I always respected him and loved him. He lived to be 93 and is buried in the Williams Valley Cemetery.
Luella Dow
Entertainment on a long winter day during an endless winter, sometimes was to keep the paths open and fuel in the lanterns.
The Owen Parker family on their Williams Valley farm, possibly in the winter of 1952-53. From left to right Lillie Mae, Faril Fay, Wanda Joyce, Lillie Ada and Owen Lee Parker and also Wallace Lee.
Prominent Williams Valley figure Mr. Emil Koehler with Mattie Canfield in 1954, added immeasurably to the folklore of the Valley.
The Milner girls, Lorraine and Luella, astride the knees of their beloved Grandfather Kratzer. Homesteader and settler as one of the earliest Williams Valley Pioneers. Mr. Edward M. Kratzer was granted title to his 159.96 acres November 16, 1898 and remains in the family to this day.
Grace Kratzer, daughter of Edward, Mother of Lorraine and Luella Milner.
The Williams Valley Grange surrounded by those wild & wooly Fords. Thanks to Betty Burdette for this photo.
The Williams Valley Grange in 1930. The new Williams Valley Grange is on the right. Thanks to Betty Burdette for this photo.
The Grandaughters and Grandsons of the Williams Valley Pioneers.
The families of Hodges, Roberts, Hopple, Strong and Stevens are dispersed through Williams Valley.
A family gathering with possibly Arcadia appletrees as the backdrop.
A comprehensive platte of the Williams Valley Settlers and their Homestead locals.
This is Wally Lee Parker asride the family horse Shiela on their Williams Valley farm in 1948. The rear end of their Model A ford and the hands and cane are those of the ledgendary Mattie Canfield.
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Building a log addition to the Williams Valley farm - 1948. L to R. Mattie Canfield, Lillie Mae Parker, Wallace Lee Parker, and in the shadows Wanda Joyce Parker. This picture and caption are from the CDPHS's Reports 3 in the article entitled "In Search of Mattie Canfield," by Wally Lee Parker.
A priceless Old Settlers contribution by Richard Hazlemyer of the Original Mason place in Williams Valley. Resting in her easy rocking chair is Estella Mason, Sister of George Roy Mason. Settler of 1897. It is thought this picture to be of 1920s vintage.
The Parker farm yard, curca 1971.
Wanda Joyce and Faril Fay Parker. Older sisters to Wally Lee. They are dressed in preparation for a Clayton Bloomer Girls basesball game. This picture was taken circa 1950.
Lorraine Milner Ball is on the left, Betty Jean Krick, Keeva Rupp Clyburn and Luella Milner Dow is on the right. Thanks to Lorraine Ball for the photo.
Luella Milner, home grown in Williams Valley.
Luella Milner Dow today. Through difficult and good times, she still displays the very same smile and traits as she did as a child.
Residents of Williams Valley don't seem to know how Williams Valley got its name. When posed with the question, "Where did Williams Valley get its name?" professional surveyor and amateur historian, PETER COFFIN responded, "I'll wager the name is connected to an early homesteader, named Abraham Williams, who homesteaded the SE/4 of section 12 - T28N-R41EWM. This is one half mile due east of the Williams Valley School House. He must have been there about 1887 as the patent is dated 1892 and is one of the earliest in the entire area. There were other Williams homesteaders as well, so his family may have settled in the area."
A big thanks to the Hodges family for sharing their family photo collection.
The Roberts spread in the very early stages of development.
Mike Burdega rode all the way from Wild Rose Prairie to Williams Valley. Now that he's here we'll just invite him to stick around for a while.
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