B. F. Williams
B. F. Williams, an extensive oil producer, stands among the leading business men of Lima. He was born in Erie County, New York, in 1849, and is a son of the late J. W. Williams, a millwright by trade and a resident of New York.
B. F. Williams was reared and educated in Erie County, and as early as 1868 became interested in the Pennsylvania oil field, being a producer at Shamburg and Pleasantville until 1877, when he entered the Bradford field, where he operated until he came to Lima in 1898. His present interests are located in the Ohio, Indiana and Kansas fields, being a member of the firm of The Roth- Argue, Maire Brothers Oil Company, one of the most important independent companies now operating, having 16 wells in the Bartlesville (Indian Territory) field. This company has just shot a new well, which promises great results, as it already produces 800 barrels of oil daily. On October 8, 1904, the company drilled well No. 4 which proved a natural well, flowing 800 barrels of oil, and that the same conditions attend their latest boring speaks well for the value of the field. In addition to these large interests, Mr. Williams is a stockholder in other enterprises, one of them being The Lima Trust Company.
In 1875 Mr. Williams was married to Ida J. Allport, who was born in Canada and died April 1, 1891, leaving four children, viz.: Harry, who is the manager of a wood-fiber company at Birmingham, Alabama; Maud E.; Silas, who is a student at Orchard Lake, Michigan; and Helen. The religious connection of the family is with the Baptist Church. Mr. Williams is a good citizen, but not an active politician. He is a member of the Elks.