WILLIAMS, William, Congress, IN (1821-1896)

WILLIAMS, William, a Representative from Indiana; born near Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pa., May 11, 1821; attended the common schools and received a very limited education; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1845 and commenced practice in Warsaw, Kosciusko County, Ind.; treasurer of Kosciusko County in 1852; resigned the office of treasurer in order to become a candidate for Lieutenant Governor; unsuccessful candidate for Lieutenant Governor in 1853; managed the Bank of Warsaw for several years; director of the Fort Wayne and Chicago Railway 1854-1856; director of the Michigan City prison 1859-1862; served in the Union Army as commandant of Camp Allen, Fort Wayne, Ind., in 1862 and as paymaster of Volunteers, with headquarters at Louisville, Ky., until the close of the war; elected as a Republican to the Fortieth and to the three succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1867-March 3, 1875); chairman, Committee on Expenditures in the Department of War (Fortieth through Forty-third Congresses); was not a candidate for renomination in 1874; resumed the practice of law in Warsaw, Ind.; appointed by President Arthur as Chargé d’Affaires to Paraguay and Uruguay April 12, 1882, and served until February 14, 1885, when he resigned; returned to Warsaw, Ind., in 1885 and retired from active business pursuits; died in Warsaw April 22, 1896; interment in Oakwood Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present