This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: CGHOFFM Surnames: Porterfield, Williams, Stewart, Mahafey, Anderson, Cochran, Thompson Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.stewart/4753.87/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune, Sat., May 31, 1941, pg. 1 FUNERAL SERVICES FOR MRS. WILLIAMS WERE HELD TODAY Last Rites Conducted at the Gordon Home for Funerals Chapel at 10:30 DIED LATE THURSDAY She Was Born in the Village of Spring Hill, Livingston County, Sept. 11, 1856. Funeral services for Mrs. Ira T. Williams, whose death occurred late Thursday in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Leslie C. Stewart, 815 Locust street, were held from the chapel of the Gordon Home for Funeral this morning at 10:30 o'clock, conducted by the Rev. G. A. Shadwick, pastor of the Elm Street Methodist Church. Interment was in Edgewood cemetery. Anna Stewart Williams was born September 11, 1856, in the little village of Spring Hill, Livingston county. She was a daughter of Robert Mackey Stewart, a native of Stewartstown, Tyrone county, Ireland, and Martha Ann Porterfield Stewart, who was born at Newport, Giles county, Virginia. Martha Porterfield came to Livingston county in 1844 with her brothers and with them helped to make up a caravan of some forty families who settled in and near Spring Hill. Mrs. Williams' husband, Ira T. Williams, was a member of one of the families which composed the caravan. As a young woman, Mrs. Williams began her career as a teacher in the rural schools of the county. She taught in schools of Lock Springs, Chillicothe and Kansas City. She was elected to the office of Commissioner of Schools of Livingston county, on April 10, 1893, and served until April 10, 1895. She is thought to have been the first woman to have held elective political office in Missouri. Ann E. Stewart was married to Ira T. Williams on January 27, 1906. For several years following their marriage they resided on their farm in Sampsel township. During the last year of Mr. Williams life--he died in 1931--they lived in the family home on Vine street. After the death of Mr. Williams, Mrs. Williams made her home with her nephew, Leslie C. Stewart, and Mrs. Stewart, who is a daughter of Mr. Williams. Mrs. Williams' brothers and sisters, Leslie A., Douglass and Robert H. Stewart, and Mrs. Taylor Mahafey and Mrs. Thomas B. Anderson, preceded her in death. Besides Leslie C. Stewart, she leaves a number of nephews and nieces; three step-daughters, Mrs. Stewart, Mrs. John Cochran, Denver, Colo., and Mrs. Archie Thompson of Gallatin, and a step-brother, Robert Williams of this city. Mrs. Williams was a life long member of the Elm Street Methodist Church. She also was a charter member of the Daughters of Rebecca of this city and was the first vice grand of that organization. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.