William & Edith McWilliams

I have an old studio photograph identified as William & Edith MCWILLIAMS who were grandparents to Ruth Evelyn DEGRAW. The photograph was taken at the R. I. Steele Studio in Waukon, IA sometime in the 1890's. William & Edith appear to be in their teens or 20's at the time the photograph was taken. Based on limited research I was able to gather the following information regarding this couple:

William MCWILLIAMS was b. 4 Nov 1869 in Postville, IA to parents Nathaniel “Nathan” MCWILLIAMS (1825-1896) and Mary “May” Julie or Julia YULE or YULL or YOULE (1838-1905) who were married 6 Jul 1863 in Scotland. William was one 9 children born to this couple including Catherine; Mary Jane “Jennie”; William; James; George R.; Alexander “Alex” or “Alick”; Helen “Ellen”; Anna “Annie”; and Amanda MCWILLIAMS, all born between 1863 to 1880. William’s father was married previously and had 7 additional children including Jessie Taylor; Margaret; John Watt; Eliza or Elisia; Mary; Barbara; Catherine “Kate” MCWILLIAMS, all born between 1848 and 1861. William married Delila or Delia Edith STEVENS (1876-1937) in 1893 and they had two daughters Delilah Mabel “Lyda” or “Lida” MCWILLIAMS DEGRAW (1894-1966) and an adopted daughter Maud Irene MCWILLIAMS (1915-2001).

William died 21 Aug 1940 in Waukon, IA and is buried in the Oakland Cemetery in Waukon, IA.

Delila Edith STEVENS was b. 25 Mar 1876 in Sibley, IA to parents Daniel Francis STEVENS (1844-1912) and Florence MERO (1853-1922) who were married 5 May 1868 in Mifflin, WI. Delila was one of 11 children born to this couple including Mary Alice; Joseph Francis; Perry David; Delila Edith; Ada Ellen; Anna Daisy; Archie William; Daniel Augustine; John Esten; Eliza Jessieman or Jessamine; and Wayne Delbert STEVENS, all born between 1869 and 1892. Delila married William MCWILLIAMS on 17 Sept 1893 in Waukon, IA. Delila died 24 Nov 1937 in Waukon, IA and is buried in the Oakland Cemetery in Waukon, IA.

Ruth Evelyn DEGRAW was b. 5 or 15 Jul 1920 in Cedar Falls, IA to parents Glenn Allen DEGRAW (1888-1964) and Lyda or Lida Delilah M. MCWILLIAMS (1894-1966) who were married 20 Dec 1917 in Waukon, IA. Ruth was one of two children born to this couple including a sister Edith DEGRAW (1922-1973). It doesn’t appear that Ruth ever married and didn’t have any children either. Ruth died 30 Sept 2003 and is buried in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City, IA. Ruth’s obituary indicated that she was survived by three nephews including Jim WILMOT of Dallas, GA; Dan WILMOT of Pahoa, HI; and Dr. Barclay BAKKUM of Aurora, IL; and a niece Bonnie CARNES of Olympia Fields, IL.

I am hoping to get the photograph to a family member and would appreciate you contacting me if you are a member of this family or know someone who might be.

Thanks,
Shelley