David Williams was born in Wales, and emigrated with his parents to America when but four years old. He settled in New York State, where, on the 17th of October, 1824, he married Betsy Smith, who was born in Avon, Livingston county. New York, August 3, 1801. They immediately started for the west, coming to Detroit in the steamer " Superior," landing there on the 20th of October, eleven days after their marriage. It occupied them the whole of one day to reach their new home, a distance of fourteen miles. He had located his land in 1822. It consisted of the south half of section 3, upon which he lived for nearly forty-six years, dying September 8, 1870, By his death the township lost one of its oldest and most prominent pioneers, his family a kind and loving parent, and his wife a fond and affectionate husband. Very few citizens of Royal Oak township have been, or are likely to be, more earnestly mourned. His widow survives, and enjoys good health. She carries her more than three-fourths of a century of years well. This worthy couple raised a family of six children, of whom four survive, all industrious and good citizens like their parents.