James Douglas WILLIAMS, Congress, IN (1808-1880)

WILLIAMS, James Douglas, a Representative from Indiana; born in Pickaway County, Ohio, January 16, 1808; moved with his parents to Indiana and settled in Knox County in 1818; received a limited education; engaged in agricultural pursuits; justice of the peace of Vincennes, Ind., 1839-1843; from 1855 was identified with the State board of agriculture for sixteen years, serving four years as its president; member of the State house of representatives in 1843, 1847, 1851, 1856, and 1868; served in the State senate in 1858, 1862, and 1870; delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1872; was the caucus nominee of his party, which was in the minority, for United States Senator in 1872; was elected as a Democrat to the Forty-fourth Congress and served from March 4, 1875, to December 1, 1876, when he resigned, having been elected Governor; chairman, Committee on Accounts (Forty-fourth Congress); Governor of Indiana from 1877 until his death in Indianapolis, Ind., November 20, 1880; interment in Walnut Grove Cemetery, near Monroe City, Knox County, Ind.

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