Benjamin Williams, a local hunter, was among the earliest English speaking settlers in the area. He, his wife Ann and family settled in nearby Williams Hollow in 1851. Ann was an Indian from the Pacific Northwest, she was the niece of Chief Weremus (Wasamus) of Willamette Falls, Oregon area.

An interesting story is found in a local newspaper about Emma Williams, the daughter of Benjamin, that tells about some of the hardships of the early pioneer life. Emma tells at story about her father and his almost tragic encounter with a grizzly bear.

Ben was 73 at the time. He had gone out on the trail of the marauder, when suddenly he heard a noise in the brush close by. Luckily his gun was cocked for the bear was on him in a flash. The barrel went into the animal's mouth as Williams pulled the trigger. Even at that, the bear managed to claw the old man badly before Ben could get out of reach.

Emma also had near tragic story of her own.

One day while playing near her home she was attacked by a lion. The animal clawed her face, but was prevented from injuring her fatally when her dog went valiantly to her rescue.