Williams, Elam

Birth

Elam Williams was born in the town of Knox, March 12, 1844, the son of Prentice Williams, Jr. and Mrs. Jane (Knight) Armstrong, widow of Patten Armstrong. They had one child, Elam.

Education

Elam Williams received his education in the Knox Academy and when twenty years old began teaching which he followed for a number of years.

Marriage & Children

Elam Williams married in 1871 Catherine Allen, daughter of Sylvester Allen and Sarah (Bunzy) Allen of Knox. Their children were:n

• Effie Williams - Mrs. Adelbert Chesebro
• Stanley Williams
• Jennie Williams - PERHAPS Mrs. Floyd Crary (Elam Williams' Obituary) - married to Claude M. Hane
• Marx Williams
• Emma Williams married Homer Frink of Altamont

Death

At an early hour Thursday evening, February 14, (1907) Elam Williams, one of the best known residents of the town of Knox, died suddenly at his home in the village of Knox, in his 63d year. He had been in his usual health and had returned from Albany that evening where he was doing jury duty, and his sudden death came as a shock to his many friends.

Obituary

Elam Williams Obituary - Altamont Enterprise — February 22, 1907

Death of Elam Williams

At an early hour Thursday evening, February 14, (1907) Elam Williams, one of the best known residents of the town of Knox, died suddenly at his home in the village of Knox, in his 63d year. He had been in his usual health and had returned from Albany that evening where he was doing jury duty, and his sudden death came as a shock to his many friends.

He was born in the town of Knox and always resided there. In early life he taught school for several years, and many of the men and women of today, in middle life, who went out from the schools at Guilderland Centre and Altamont, look back with satisfaction and pleasure to the years spent under his faithful and conscientious instruction.

In politics he was a staunch democrat. He was elected justice of the sessions in 1882, and served as justice of the peace in his town for nineteen years. For several years past he had engaged in the mercantile business and in this, as in all his acts, he enjoyed the respect and confidence of the people of his community.

His funeral was largely attended from the M. E> church, Sunday afternoon, his pastor, Rev. P. H. West, assisted by Rev. Edward Kelder, conducting the service. Berne Lodge, No. 684, F. & A. M. of which he was a member, and several from Noah Lodge of Altamont, attended the funeral and conferred the last sad rites of the order.

He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Catherine Williams, a daughter of Captain Allen, three daughters, Mrs. Adelbert Chesebro, Mrs. Floyd Crary and Miss Emma Williams, and one son, Mr. Stanley Williams.

Altamont Enterprise - February 22, 1907

Additional Media

Williams, Elam, was born in the town of Knox, March 12, 1844.

Prentice Williams, his grandfather, was a native of Connecticut, settled in Knox when a young man cleared himself a farm in the forest, where he became prosperous. His children were Lucy, Mary, Eliza, Eunice, Prentice, jr., and Dennison. He and his wife were niLinbcrs of the Methodist church, in which he was an active worker. He died in 1S,-,(|, and his wife died some years before.

Hon. Prentice Williams, jr., the father of Elam, was born in the town of Knox on the homestead in 1794. In early life he followed farming, but later learned the cabinetmaker's trade, which he followed in connection with undertaking for a number of years in the village of Knox. He subsequently engaged in mercantile business in Albany, remained there but a short time and returned to Knox and resumed his old business of furniture and undertaking. He was prominently identified with the Democratic party and his influence was extensive; he had the honor of serving his district in the State Legislature one term, and was postmaster many years. He was twice married ; his first wife, Harriet Jane Clark, died a year after their marriage ; his second wife was Mrs. Jane (Knight) Armstrong, widow of Patten Armstrong, and they had one child, Elam. Mr. and Mrs. Williams were members of the Methodist church, in which he took a leading part He died in 1864 and his wife September, 1882.

Elam Williams received his education in the Knox Academy and when twenty years old began teaching which he followed for a number of years. Early in life he manifested a keen and active interest in the political affairs of his town and county, and while yet a young man was elected to the office of justice of the peace on the Democratic ticket. He filled the office with such credit that he was elected and re-elected for nineteen successive years ; the years of 1882-83 he was justice of sessions and in 1870 was appointed State census enumerator for his district. He has filled the office of postmaster of Knox during both of President Cleveland's administrations. In 1886 he engaged in the general mercantile business in the village of Knox and with careful and strict attention to business, he has met with merited success. In the spring of 1896 he purchased a farm of 112 acres near the village, of which he has taken personal management, being assisted in the store by his son, Stanley. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Berne Lodge, No. 684. In 1871 he married Catherine, daughter of Sylvester and Sarah (Bunzy) Allen of Knox, and they have five children, Effie, Stanley, Jennie. Marx and Emma.

Landmarks of Albany County, New York

• 

  Emma Williams Frink (Mrs. Homer Frink) Obituary - Altamont Enterprise - May 25, 1923
• 

  Emma Williams Frink (Mrs. Homer Frink) Obituary - Altamont Enterprise - May 11, 1923
• 

  Emma Williams Frink (Mrs. Homer Frink) Obituary - Albany Evening Journal - May 10, 1923
• 

  Homer Frink and Emma Williams Married - Altamont Enterprise - November 29, 1907
• 

  Stanley Williams Obituary - Altamont Enterprise - October 22, 1943

Sources

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