William Brewster WILLIAMS, Congress, MI (1826-1905)

WILLIAMS, William Brewster, a Representative from Michigan; born in Pittsford, Monroe County, N.Y., July 28, 1826; attended the common schools and received an academic education; was graduated from the State and National Law School, Ballston Spa, N.Y., in 1851; was admitted to the bar the same year and commenced practice in Rochester, N.Y.; moved to Allegan, Mich., in 1855; judge of probate 1857-1865; member of the State senate 1866-1870, serving as president pro tempore in 1869; member of the State constitutional convention in 1867; appointed by the Governor in 1871 a member of the State board for the supervisory control of the charitable, penal, and beneficiary institutions, which position he resigned upon his election to Congress; elected as a Republican to the Forty-third Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Wilder D. Foster; reelected to the Forty-fourth Congress and served from December 1, 1873, to March 3, 1877; was not a candidate for renomination in 1876; railroad commissioner of Michigan 1877-1883; resumed the practice of law; died in Allegan, Mich., March 4, 1905; interment in Oakwood Cemetery.

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