| Home Addresses
|
Rickreall, Polk, Oregon
886 S 20th St, Salem, Marion, Oregon
860 S 20th St, Salem, Marion, Oregon
379 S 19th St, Salem, Marion, Oregon
396 S 19th St, Salem, Marion, Oregon
255 N Commercial St, Salem, Marion, Oregon
525 O’Farrell Street, San Francisco, CA (managed apartments)
2106 Jackson St, San Francisco, CA |
| Life Story
|
Arthur Lee Williamson worked as a spinner for the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill when he was a young man. It’s possible that is where he met his first wife, Dora Browning, whose family members were also employed at the mill.
Arthur’s father, John Nelson Williamson, first married Adabelle Layton. They had a daughter named Nellie V. Williamson, born in November 1885. Adabelle passed away when Nellie was only a month old. John married again in 1887, to Minerva May Staley, when Nellie was two. John and Minerva welcomed son Arthur Lee Williamson on 26 May 1889 while living near Albany, Oregon. A second son, Leroy “Roy” Williamson, followed four years later.
The 1900 census shows Arthur and Roy living with their father; their mother was not listed. Their half-sister Nellie was living with her grandparents.
An article in the Albany newspaper reports that Minerva Williamson filed for divorce in June 1904, stating that her husband had deserted her on 5 April 1895. At that time Arthur was only six, Roy was two, and Nellie was ten – a difficult beginning for all three children.
By age 16, Arthur was living in Salem, Oregon, working as a conductor on the streetcar for PPL & P Co. His father was also in Salem according to the 1905 City Directory, though at a different address.
By 18, Arthur was employed at the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill alongside members of the Browning family. He met Dora Browning, and they married on 25 September 1907 at the Central Congregational Church in Salem. Arthur continued working at the mill, and the census lists him as a spinner. Arthur and Dora lived in Salem and welcomed a daughter, Helen Marie, on 27 December 1909.
Arthur was listed as a streetcar conductor for the S.P. Co. on his WWI draft registration card. He worked as a motorman on Salem streetcars for thirteen years and later, as a bus driver for three. He was active in the Salem Streetcar Union, serving three years as its president.
In January 1922 Arthur and Art Wilson formed a partnership and opened the Terminal Cigar store at the New Terminal Hotel, the stage station adjoining the Odd Fellows Temple. They sold cigars, cigarettes, tobacco, magazines and newspapers. By April, Art Wilson had left the business, and Arthur became the sole owner. He resigned from the street railway company to focus on his new endeavor.
By 1924 Arthur and Dora’s marriage was in trouble. In March, Arthur – now going by “Art” – was arrested for disorderly conduct, unlawful possession of intoxicating liquor and resisting arrest. Police responded at 2:00 a.m. after neighbors heard Dora screaming for help. The jury failed to reach a verdict after Dora’s testimony proved more favorable to her husband than to the city. By November 1924, the Terminal Cigar Store had been sold to Ilo R. Smith, and Arthur and Dora divorced.
On 7 October 1926, Arthur married Lillian Kightlinger. They had no children together and remained married for the rest of his life.
By 1933 Arthur and Lillian had relocated to San Francisco, California. Arthur’s WWII draft registration card lists them living there, and Arthur managed an apartment building in that area until his death.
Arthur passed away in San Francisco on 17 June 1958. He was survived by his wife Lillian, his sister Nellie, and brother Roy. He was buried at City View Cemetery in Salem, Oregon, where his first wife Dora and their daughter Helen Marie are also buried. Lillian passed away on 12 October 1971 and was buried at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Colma, San Mateo, California. |
| Census Records |
1900 – Arthur Williamson – Age: 11, Birth Date: May 1889, Birthplace: Oregon, USA, Home in 1900: Rickreall, Polk, Oregon, Race: White, Gender: Male, Relation to Head of House: Son, Marital Status: Single, Father’s Name: John N Williamson, Father’s Birthplace: Missouri, USA, Mother’s Birthplace: Nebraska, USA, Occupation: Student, Attended School: 2, Can Read: Y, Can Write: Y, Can Speak English: Y, Household members: John N Williamson (39), Arthur Williamson (11), Roy S Williamson (6)
1910 – Arthur L Williamson – Age in 1910: 20, Birth Date: 1890, Birthplace: Oregon, Home in 1910: Salem Ward 4, Marion, Oregon, USA, Street: 888 S 20th St, Race: White, Gender: Male, Relation to Head of House: Head, Marital Status: Married, Father’s Birthplace: Missouri, Mother’s Birthplace: Nebraska, Native Tongue: English, Occupation: Spinner, Industry: Woolen Mill, Employer, Employee or Other: Wage Earner, Home Owned or Rented: Own, Home Free or Mortgaged: Free, Farm or House: House, Attended School: N, Able to read: Y, Able to Write: Y, Enumeration District Number: 0224, Years Married: 1, Out of Work: N, Number of Weeks Out of Work: 0, Enumerated Year: 1910, Household members: Arthur L Williamson (20), Dora E Williamson (20), Helen M Williamson (0)
1920 – Arthur L Williamson – Age: 30, Birth Year: abt 1890, Birthplace: Oregon, Home in 1920: Salem Ward 4, Marion, Oregon, Street: 379 South 19th Street, Residence Date: 1920, Race: White, Gender: Male, Relation to Head of House: Head, Marital Status: Married, Spouse’s Name: Dora E Williamson, Father’s Birthplace: Oregon, Mother’s Birthplace: Oregon, Able to Speak English: Yes, Occupation: Operator, Industry: Street Car, Employment Field: Wage or Salary, Home Owned or Rented: Owned, Home Free or Mortgaged: Mortgaged, Able to read: Yes, Able to Write: Yes, Household members: Arthur L Williamson (30), Dora E Williamson (30), Helen M Williamson (10)
1930 –Unable to locate
1940 – Arthur L Williamson – Age: 50, Estimated Birth Year: abt 1890, Gender: Male, Race: White, Birthplace: Oregon, Marital Status: Married, Relation to Head of House: Head, Home in 1940: San Francisco, San Francisco, California, Street: 525 O’Farrell Street, Farm: No, Inferred Residence in 1935: San Francisco, San Francisco, California, Residence in 1935: San Francisco, Resident on farm in 1935: No, Occupation: Manager, House Owned or Rented: Rented, Value of Home: 25, Attended School or College: No, Highest Grade Completed: Elementary school, 8th grade, Hours Worked Week Prior to Census: 50, Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker in private work, Weeks Worked in 1939: 52, Income Other Sources: Yes, Household members: Arthur L Williamson (50), Lillian L Williamson (41)
1950 – Arthur L Williamson – Age: 60, Birth Date: abt 1890, Gender: Male, Race: White, Birth Place: Oregon, Marital Status: Married, Relation to Head of House: Head, Residence Date: 1950, Home in 1950: San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA, Street: 2106 Jackson St, Farm: No, Acres: No, Occupation: Manager, Industry: Apt House, Occupation Category: Working, Hours Worked: 40, Worker Class: Private, Household members: Arthur L Williamson (60), Lillian Williamson |
| Find-a-Grave |
Arthur Lee Williamson – Birth: 26 May 1889, Albany, Linn County, Oregon. Death: 17 Jun 1958, San Francisco, San Francisco County, California. Burial: City View Cemetery, Salem, Marion County, Oregon. Plot: Section W/L. Memorial ID: 63885016
Dora E. Browning Rupert – Birth: 23 Apr 1889, Scio, Linn County, Oregon. Death: 3 Apr 1972 (aged 82) Marion County, Oregon. Burial: City View Cemetery, Salem, Marion County, Oregon. Plot: Section W/L. Memorial ID: 63884939
Lillian L. Kightlinger Williamson – Birth: 27 Oct 1898, Salem, Marion County, Oregon. Death: 12 Oct 1971 (aged 72), San Mateo County, California. Burial: Woodlawn Memorial Park, Colma, San Mateo County, California. Plot: J. Memorial ID: 117172176 |
| Digital Newspapers
|
The Capital Journal 26 Sep 1907, p. 8 – Secure Matrimonial Tickets
Statesman Journal 26 Sep 1907, p. 3 – Wiliamson-Browning
Statesman Journal 26 Jan 1922, p. 5 – Assumed Business Name
Statesman Journal 11 Feb 1922, p. 3 – Terminal Cigar Co Ad
Statesman Journal 6 Apr 1922, p. 5 – Cigar Store Changes Hands
Statesman Journal 2 May 1922, p. 5 – Williamson Quits Service
The Capital Journal 23 May 1922, p. 5 – Bicycle Accident
The Capital Journal 7 Mar 1924, p. 1 – Arrest Cigar Dealer for Disorderly Conduct
Statesman Journal 8 Mar 1924, p. 8 – Woman’s Screams Lead to Arrest of Williamson
Statesman Journal 11 Mar 1924, p. 5 – Williamson Trial Thursday
Statesman Journal 14 Mar 1924, p. 1 – Williamson Jury Fails to Reach Agreement
The Capital Journal 5 Nov 1924, p. 7 – Smith Purchases Terminal Store
The Capital Journal 2 Dec 1941, p. 16 – Williamson – John N. (father)
The San Francisco Examiner 20 Jun 1958, p. 35 – Williamson (Obit)
The Capital Journal 23 Jun 1958, p. 17 – A. L. Williamson Rites Wednesday
The Capital Journal 4 Jun 1957, p. 5 – Helen LaLonde Rites Pending (daughter)
The San Francisco Examiner 14 Oct 1971, p. 55 – Williamson, Lillian L. (2nd wife)
Statesman Journal 5 Apr 1972, p. 9 – Dora Rupert (1st wife) |
