James Robert Williams | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromIllinois | |
| In office December 2, 1889 – March 3, 1895 | |
| Preceded by | Richard W. Townshend |
| Succeeded by | Benson Wood |
| Constituency | 19th district |
| In office March 4, 1899 – March 3, 1903 | |
| Preceded by | James R. Campbell |
| Succeeded by | Henry T. Rainey |
| Constituency | 20th district |
| In office March 4, 1903 – March 3, 1905 | |
| Preceded by | District created |
| Succeeded by | Pleasant T. Chapman |
| Constituency | 24th district |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1850-12-27)December 27, 1850 Carmi, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | November 8, 1923(1923-11-08) (aged 72) Loma Linda, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Maple Ridge Cemetery, Carmi, Illinois, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | Union College of Law |
James Robert Williams (December 27, 1850 – November 8, 1923) was aU.S. Representative fromIllinois.
Born inCarmi, Illinois, Williams attended the common schools. He graduated fromIndiana University in 1875, where he was a member ofPhi Kappa Psi,[1] and from theUnion College of Law,Chicago,Illinois, in 1876. He wasadmitted to the bar in 1876 and returned home to practice in Carmi. He served as master in chancery from 1880-1882, and was a county judge ofWhite County from 1882-1886.
Williams was elected as aDemocrat to theFifty-first Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death ofRichard W. Townshend.He was reelected to theFifty-second andFifty-third Congresses and served from December 2, 1889, to March 3, 1895.
Williams was a friend ofWilliam Jennings Bryan. Because of their friendship, Bryan made a whistle-stop visit to Carmi in1896 to give a presidential campaign speech.
Williams was elected to theFifty-sixth,Fifty-seventh, andFifty-eighth Congresses (March 4, 1899 – March 3, 1905).[2]
In 1902, the Chicago Chronicle said he was being groomed for president. "Bob Williams for President" headlined the Chicago Evening Post on November 9, 1903. In 1903, Illinois Democrats nominated Williams for the United States Senate. He did not win but received a letter from Williams Jennings Bryan, who expressed an interest in talking with him about plans for 1904. In1904, his name was presented to the National Convention at St. Louis, Missouri, as a candidate for vice-president. Williams came in second place for the Democratic vice presidential nomination.
In 1904, Williams was defeated in his bid for reelection byPleasant T. Chapman. After his term in the House of Representatives, he resumed the practice of his profession. He died inLoma Linda, California on November 8, 1923. He was interred in Maple Ridge Cemetery, Carmi, Illinois.
This article incorporatespublic domain material fromJames Robert Williams(PDF).Federal government of the United States.
Williams, James R.
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
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| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromIllinois's 19th congressional district December 2, 1889 – March 3, 1895 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromIllinois's 20th congressional district March 4, 1899 – March 3, 1903 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by District created | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromIllinois's 24th congressional district March 4, 1903 – March 3, 1905 | Succeeded by |
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