History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century/4/Wilson G. Williams
NELSON G. WILLIAMS was born in Bainbridge, Chenango County, New York, in 1823. He was educated at Utica and began business for himself in the city of New York where he became an importing merchant. In 1855 he removed to Iowa, locating in Dubuque, where he engaged in the mercantile business for several years. Later he made his home on a farm in Dubuque County where he was living when the Civil War began. He immediately tendered his services to Governor Kirkwood and was commissioned colonel of the Third Iowa Infantry, serving but a short time when he was placed under arrest by order of General Hurlbut. The charges against him were manifestly unjust and he was never brought to trial. He commanded his regiment in the Battle of Shiloh where it made a heroic fight. Colonel Williams was severely wounded and sent in his resignation on the 27th of November, 1862, retiring from the service.