Legislator Details
Joseph R. Williams
AKA:
Number of sessions served 1
Gender: Male
Age at election: 52
Vital Records Information:
Birth
Date: 11/14/1808
City: Taunton, MA
County: Bristol County, MA
Country: US
Death
Date: 6/15/1861
City: Constantine, MI
County: Saint Joseph County, MI
Country: US
Type of Burial:
Burial
Date:
City:
County:
Country:
Cemetery:
Marital Information:
Number of Children: 0
Background
Religion:
Military Service:
Occupation: miscellaneous, lawyer
Race:
Education:
graduated from Harvard College, 1831
Biographical Sketch:
Studied law with John Davis in Worcester, MA; admitted to the bar and practiced in New Bedford, MA. Settled in Constantine, MI in 1839. Candidate for U.S. Representative from Michigan 2nd District, 1843 (Whig), 1850 (Whig Free Soil), 1852 (Whig Free Soil);
Notable Facts:
Acting Lt. Gov. 1861; Delegate to the 1850 Constitutional Convention. President pro tem of the Senate, 1861. Died in office; succeeded by Henry H. Riley.
First President of Michigan Agricultural College.
Sessions Served:
Chamber: Senate
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Incorporations, Federal Relations , State Affairs
Postions Held: President Pro Tempore
City of Residence: Constantine
County of Residence Saint Joseph
District: 16
District Description:
Date Elected: 11/6/1860
Date Sworn In: 1/2/1861
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: Died
End of Term Status: Departed
Maritial Status: Unknown
Notes: He assumed the duties of Pres. Pro Tem when Lt.Gov Birney resigned, 4/3/1861. He died in 1861 and was succeeded by Sen. Backus, 5/8/1861.
Resol. re: Williams' death appears on 1/2/1862 in the Senate Jl, p.13. Succeeded by Henry H. Riley, sworn in on Jan.3, 1862.