Williams, Roy G.

The following data is extracted from A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans.

Roy G. Williams, editor and proprietor of the Burrton Graphic, is one of the younger newspaper men of Kansas, but since entering that field had proved a master of the difficult art of conducting a country journal with usefulness and influence and with a fair share of profit on the credit side of the business ledger.

The Burrton Graphic is a continuation of the old Burrton Monitor, which was founded in 1881 by George Vandeveer and published by the Burrton Publishing Company. This was later succeeded by the Burrton Graphic, with M. L. Sherpy editor. In 1904 the Kansas Grit Weekly was founded by George W. Kelley, but in 1906 the name was changed to the Burrton Grit and in 1910 to the Burrton Free Lance, edited by Ben W. Harlow. This was consolidated in 1912 with the Burrton Graphic. The Burrton Graphic, which is now in its thirty-first volume, is a well edited weekly paper with circulation over Harvey and surrounding counties, and is published from a complete plant well equipped mechanically. The plant and offices are in the postoffice building.

Roy G. Williams, its editor and proprietor, was born at Burrton December 13, 1892. His father is Harry Williams, who was born at Taunton, England, in October, 1856. He grew up and married in England and was a railroad worker in that country. In 1881 he came to the United States and settled at Burrton, Kansas, and for the past twenty-five years had been a railroad man, being foreman of one of the sections of the Santa Fe Railway Company. In politics he is independent, is a member of the Christian Church, is past noble grand of Burrton Lodge No. 251, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and a member of Burrton Camp, Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Harry Williams married Jennie Hayter, who was born at Cowbridge in South Wales, England, in August, 1856. They are the parents of six children: Harry, purchasing agent for an oil company, living at Los Angeles; May E., teacher in the Hutchinson public schools; James H., an employe in the hotel at Catalina Island, near Los Angeles; Ida M., at home; Roy; and John W., who works in a store at Burrton.

Roy Williams was educated in the public schools of Burrton, graduating from high school in 1910. After that he attended the Friends University at Wichita 2½ years. He is a practical printer as well as an educator and was employed a year in a printing office at Fowler, Kansas. In July, 1914, he bought the Burrton Tribune, which had been founded the previous year by T. C. Eales. November 19, 1914, the plant of the Tribune was destroyed by fire, and in December following Mr. Williams with R. E. Thomas acquired the plant and business of the Burrton Graphic. In June, 1916, Mr. Williams became sole proprietor.

Mr. Williams is a democrat in politics and is affiliated with Burrton Lodge No. 182, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and Burrton Lodge No. 251, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is unmarried.

Source: A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans

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