Springfield-Greene
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NANDY C. WILLIAMS, M. D. To have the human name preserved has ever been, not only the desire, but one of the illustions of the race and will doubtless always be. Mausoleums are built and the tablets hewn--"A graven stone to plead for tears with alien eyes," for the purpose of binding in memory the fact of a life. In the very earliest of the Hindoo mythology the milk of the sea was mystically churned to make the amrita which gave immortality; and, all literature since bears trace of similar fancies. This desire to be remembered, that our dust shall retain the tender regard of those whom we leave behind; that the spot where it shall lie will be remembered with a kind and soothing reverence; that our children will visit it in the midst of their sorrows; and our kindred in after times will feel that a local inspiration hovers round it, has been one of the most potent forces in the history of man. Hence the value and importance of biography and a volume of the nature of the one in hand, embracing as it does the leading characters in the drama of civilization as staged in Greene county, one of the well known and deserving, actors in it of the present generation being the successful physician of Springfield, whose name forms the caption of this article.
Dr. Nandy C. Williams was born in Warren county, Iowa, February 25, 1860. He is a son of Uriah F. and Jane (Graham) Williams. The father was born near Indianapolis, Indiana, and there spent his earlier years, finally emigrating to Warren county, Iowa, where he established the family home. He devoted his life to general farming, and his death occurred in 1878. His wife preceded him to the grave in 1871. William Williams the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a soldier in the Mexican war and was killed in battle.
Doctor Williams grew up on the home farm and much hard work fell to his lot when he was a boy; however, he was ambitious and forged ahead despite obstacles. He received his early education in the public schools of his native community and also spent three years in the Simpson Seminary College at Indianola, Iowa, and in 1884 he entered the Iowa State University at Iowa City, where he remained two years. In order to defray the expenses of a college course, having to depend entirely upon his own resources, he engaged in any kind of honorable work he could get to do during vacations, and taught school seven years. His undaunted determination brought success. Making up his mind to enter the medical profession, at an early age he began the study of medicine while still in school and began practicing under a preceptor in 1888, and in 1894 received his degree from Barnes Medical College, St. Louis, Missouri. In 1895 he came to Springfield, Missouri, and began the practice of his profession, which he has continued to the present time with much success, and has long since ranked with the best and most popular general practitioners in Greene county.
On June 17, 1885, Doctor Williams was married to Etta A. Lyman, who was born near Bloomington, Wisconsin, March 9, 1862. She is of Welsh ancestry. To the doctor and wife one son was born, Leslie E., born at Clifton Hill, Randolph county, Missouri, December 9, 1891; he was educated in public and high schools at Springfield, this state, later spending three years in the Fine Arts Academy at Chicago; he taught one year in the Art Institute of Chicago, in 1913, and is now engaged in commercial art work; he lives in New York City, and is unmarried; he was evidently born with the artistic temperament, which has been well developed and he gives promise of a brilliant career in his chosen field of endeavor.
The parents of our subject's wife are both deceased, George Lyman, the father, who devoted his life successfully to farming, died in 1898, but was living retired at the time of his death. His wife had preceded him to the grave in 1890.
Doctor Williams is a member of the Greene County Medical Society, the Southwest Missouri Medical Society, the Missouri State Medical Association and the American Medical Association. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic order, including the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine and the Order of Eastern Star; he also belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Politically he is a Democrat, and in religious matters belongs to the Presbyterian church which he faithfully supports.
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