Albert Colwell Williams (10/15/1858-11/6/1943) was 19 years old when he came to Tustin Township with his parents, Washington and Elizabeth in 1874. Albert was born in Healdsburg, California (Near Vacaville). He was the oldest of five children and the only boy. He helped his father build temporary housing and then a home on 20 acres on what became known as Williams St., south of Main St. Their primary crop was apricots. At age 22, he worked in a vineyard in Villa Park raising grapes, apricots and apples.
In 1888, Albert C. bought 80 acres in Fresno County and established a vineyard. There he met and married Fatima Caroline (Callie) England on November 6, 1889, in Reedley, Fresno Co, California. He was 31 and she was 24. They had three boys.
Fatima (2/10/1865-6/25/1946) was born in the mining town of Rich Gulch, Calaveras Co, California. Her father, William, and family settled in San Benito Co. where he raised livestock. Fatima’s mother, Fatima Charlotte Jamison (4/13/1833-8/17/1878) died when Fatima was 13.
Prior to 1896, Albert and Fatima moved back Tustin Township where they lived for a while with his parents, preparing to take over the farm as Washington was approaching 70 years of age. Washington and Elizabeth relocated to Pasadena CA to live with their daughter Henriette until their deaths.
Albert C. transitioned the crop to walnuts. For a period, he was the foreman of the Santa Ana Walnut Association packing house located on East Fourth St. in Santa Ana. They received their water from the Santa Ana Valley Irrigation Co of which he was a board member.
Albert C. and his son, Ralph, founded the Williams Manufacturing Co and manufactured “Silver Beam” spotlights. The facility was in Los Angeles where Ralph lived. Unfortunately, they were involved in a trade name lawsuit brought by Charles Kaufman which they lost.
Fatima Williams was active in Red Cross work during World War II. They belonged to the Methodist Church. Ralph was a registered Democrat.
Albert C, died in Santa Ana, California, at the age of 84. Fatima died three years later at age 81. Both are buried at Fairhaven Cemetery. When Fatima died, the sons sold the property.
The life story of their three sons follows:
Ralph England Williams (9/28/1891-10/17/1977) was born in Selma, Fresno Co California. He married Alice Lorena Bird of Santa Ana on September 11, 1910. He was 21 and she was 22. They had two sons, Howard Elliott (7/9/1916-6/21/2017) and Hal Kendrick (12/22/1930-7/8/1973).
When Ralph was 16, He became acquainted with Glenn Martin and helped him build his first airplane. He also worked the Santa Ana Commercial shop. He then opened a family shop, Williams Manufacturing, and was manufacturing spotlights. As the business grew, he relocated to Los Angeles. After the business closed he worked as a steam shovel operator and yard foreman in the building industry. They bought their home in Los Angeles and her father lived with them until his death. They relocated to Escondido CA where he died at the age of 86. He out-lived Lorena who died at age 75, and his son, Hal Kendrick who was killed in a motorcycle accident when he was 42. Hal had served in the Korean War.
Ralph’s son, Howard, married Virginia Barbara Riedel in June 1939. They had one son and three girls. Being ineligible for serve due to a leg injury, Howard was a block watchman and worked is the shipyards during WWII. After the death of his parents, Howard built a 2-story home on family property at Newport and Tustin Ave. He did most of the work commuting from Los Angeles on weekends to work on the house. He was an electrician and operated Williams Electric in Santa Ana providing motor repair and rewind services. He later was an electrical inspector for the Orange County until he retired. Virginia was President of the PTA, Chairperson for the Girl Scouts and an active representative during election returns. Howard was an avid bowler and won many awards.
Ernest Rose Williams (1/23/1896-5/4/1959) in Orange County, California. (Ernest formally changed his middle name to “Ross” when he became an adult.) He married Margarite Rose Brown 3/16/1919. They were both 20. In 1920, they lived in an apartment in Los Angeles where he was involved in Williams Manufacturing with his brother and father.
He then married Charlotte Haley on 7/29/1924. He was 30 and she was 28.They relocated to San Diego where he worked for Consolidated Aircraft. He was appointed personnel Counselor for the Company and spent some time at their headquarters in Chicago. They had no children.
He died on May 4, 1959, in La Jolla, California, at the age of 63. He is buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego CA. He was an Army Private, Company D, 8th Division during WWI. Charlotte died at age 57 preceding him in death by 6 years.
Albert Gerald Williams (6/29/1905-10/3/1979) was born on June 29, 1905, in Tustin, California. He went by ”Jerry.” Jerry married Dorcas Lurline England (3/8/1914-7/24/1973) on November 23, 1936, in Los Angeles, California. He was 31 and she was 22. They settled in Riverside where he had an Allis Chalmers tractor dealership. They had two children: Janis Lurline Williams born 9/29/1937 and Albert Theodore “Ted” Williams born 3/6/1944.
When Albert C. Williams had a stroke, they relocated to Tustin, moving onto the ranch property on Williams Street. Jerry took over ranch responsibilities and management while Dorcus cared for Albert and Fatima until their deaths.
After Albert Colwell and Fatima passed on, the 3 sons had to sell the property to pay taxes and divide the inheritance among the 3 heirs. Jerry used his portion to purchase 6.5 acres nearby at 15781 Newport Ave. (the ranch bordered both Newport and Tustin Avenues near the railroad tracks). He planted orange trees, and a variety of fruit trees and other crops (corn, melons, strawberries, etc.) Both of their children attended Tustin Elementary and Tustin High School
Dorcas, who had been a child prodigy pianist, became the music coordinator for the Tustin Elementary schools. Gerald died in Tustin at age 74 and Dorcas died at age 59. They are buried in Fairhaven Cemetery.
Created 10/4/2021. Researched by Janis Williams Parks (Granddaughter of Albert Colwell Williams), Elaine Williams Pine (Great Granddaughter of Albert Colwell Williams) and Vicki Gray
