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James Williams
Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromDelaware'sat-large district
In office March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1879
Preceded by	James R. Lofland
Succeeded by	Edward L. Martin
Member of theDelaware Senate
In office January 4, 1891 - January 3, 1893
Member of theDelaware House of Representatives
In office January 4, 1857 - January 3, 1859 January 4, 1863 - January 3, 1865 January 4, 1883 - January 3, 1885
Personal details
Born	(1825-08-04)August 4, 1825 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
Died	April 12, 1899(1899-04-12) (aged 73) Smyrna, Delaware, US
Party	Democratic
Profession	farmer

James Williams (August 4, 1825 – April 12, 1899) was an American farmer and politician. He was a member of the Democratic Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as U. S. Representative from Delaware.

Williams was born on August 4, 1825, inPhiladelphia, to John (1775–1849) and Esther Williams. His father was a lumber merchant, and his early education was by private tutoring. He first became an apprentice carpenter, intending to become an architect. In 1848 his father bought a large estate in Kent County, Delaware and young Williams moved toKenton to take up farming and manage the property.

Williams became politically active in the Democratic Party, and was elected to theDelaware House of Representatives, serving in 1857/1858, 1863/1864 and 1883/84. He next served in theState Senate from 1891/92, and was the Speaker of the Senate for 1869/70. In 1872, he was a delegate to the party's national convention which nominatedHorace Greeley for U.S. president. Williams was twice elected as Delaware's only member in theUnited States House of Representatives, serving in two terms from 1875 until 1879, in the 44th and 45th Congress under U.S. PresidentsUlysses S. Grant andRutherford B. Hayes.

He remained a farmer throughout his public service. After returning to private life he expanded into fertilizer manufacturing, and increased his farm holdings in Delaware and Maryland. In 1891 he moved to Smyrna, Delaware, but continued farming for the rest of his life.

Williams died on April 12, 1899, inSmyrna, Delaware, and is buried there, at the St. Peter's Episcopal Church Cemetery.

• Martin, Roger A. (1995).Memoirs of the Senate. Newark, Delaware: Roger A. Martin.

• Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Delaware's Members of Congress
• Find a Grave
• The Political Graveyard

• Delaware Historical Society;website; 505 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801; (302) 655–7161
• University of Delaware;Library website; 181 South College Avenue, Newark, Delaware 19717; (302) 831–2965

• 1825 births
• 1899 deaths
• People from Smyrna, Delaware
• Democratic Party Delaware state senators
• Democratic Party members of the Delaware House of Representatives
• Burials in Kent County, Delaware
• Democratic Party United States representatives from Delaware
• 19th-century United States representatives
• 19th-century members of the Delaware General Assembly

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