Etha Inda Williams

Etha Inda Williams was the daughter of Mary "Polly" Woolwine and John Williams. She was born on December 31, 1843 in Pope County, Illinois.

In the 1850 Census, 8 year old Etha Inda is found living with her mother and siblings in Pope County, Illinois. Her father had died in May of that year and the census was taken in October. Their were 8 siblings living at home.

In the 1860 Census she is still living with her mother and 2 of her siblings. The family lives on a farm that the real estate is valued at 800. Her mother's personal estate is valued at 150.

On November 15, 1864 she married Benjamin Franklin Yates in Golconda, Pope County, Illinois.

In the 1870 Census she is living with her husband and 2 children ( William and Melissa ) in Eddyville, Pope County, Illinois. They have incorrectly written her name as Eliza J. 

I believe her brother Henry is living a few houses down with his wife and children.

In the 1880 Census she continues to live with her husband and children in Eddyville, Pope County, Illinois. This census states that she cannot read. Her children are:

William 18 ( note: he is from Benjamin's first marriage)
Melissa 13
Samuel 8
Georgia 6
Sarah 6
Viola 2

In the 1900 Census she is again found in Eddyville, Pope County, Illinois with her family. In this census it states that she was born in December of 1845 and that she is a mother of 9 children all living. She and Benjamin had been married 35 years. In this census it states that she can read and write. The following children are living at home:

Aaron 15  son
Roscoe 13 son
Milas 10 grandson ( Melissa's son)

A year after this census was taken her husband passed away. Etha Inda's great-granddaughter remembers taking a visit out to the family farm in Eddyville. ( I need to transcribe an interview in which she tells me what she remembers. Will add that at a later date.)

In the 1910 Census she is living in Alexandria, Pope County, Illinois with her son Roscoe, his wife Maggie and their 1 year old daughter Reba. This census states that she can read.

In the 1920 Census she is still living with Roscoe and his family. The family has moved to Monroe, Pope County, Illinois. Roscoe and Maggie have added 3 more children to their family - Estelle, Charlie and Kenith.

Etha Inda died on February 6, 1930 in her home on R. District #13 in Pope County, Illinois. She was 86 years old. She was buried on February 8, 1930 in Old Home Cemetery, Pope County, Illinois.