Stevenson A. Williams

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Stevenson Archer Williams
Member of the Maryland Senate
In office
1898–1901
Preceded byCharles W. Michael
Succeeded byThomas H. Robinson
ConstituencyHarford County
Personal details
Born(1851-05-06)May 6, 1851
New York City, New York, U.S.
DiedFebruary 20, 1932(1932-02-20) (aged 80)
Bel Air, Maryland, U.S.
Resting placeChurchville Presbyterian Church
Churchville, Maryland, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Ariel Elizabeth Streett
(m. 1875)
Children4
Relatives
Alma mater
Occupation
  • Politician
  • businessman
  • lawyer
Signature

Stevenson Archer Williams (May 6, 1851 – February 20, 1932) was an American politician and businessman. He served in the Maryland Senate in 1898 and 1900–1901, and was an unsuccessful candidate for governor in the 1903 Maryland gubernatorial election.

Early life[edit]

Stevenson Archer Williams[1] was born on May 6, 1851, at Brooklyn Naval Hospital in New York City, New York, to Harriet Hays (née Archer) and Lewis Jeffery Williams.[2][3][4] His father was the medical director in the United States Navy. His grandfather was Stevenson Archer, member of the U.S. House of Representatives and chief judge of the Maryland Court of Appeals. His great-grandfather was John Archer, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.[2][3] His uncle was Stevenson Archer, a U.S. Congressman.[4]

Williams attended private schools. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts from College of New Jersey (later Princeton University) in 1870 or 1872. In 1873, Williams graduated from the University of Maryland School of Law with a Bachelor of Laws. St. John's College in Annapolis, Maryland gave Williams an honorary Doctor of Laws in 1899.[1][2][3][4]

Career[edit]

After graduating in 1873, Williams started practicing law in Bel Air, Maryland.[2] From 1880 to 1882, he served as school commissioner of Harford County by appointment of the circuit court. In 1893, Williams became president of the Harford National Bank of Bel Air.[2][3][4]

Williams was a Republican. In 1897, Williams was elected to the Maryland Senate, representing Harford County. He served from 1898 to 1901. He was nominated by his party for governor in the 1903 Maryland gubernatorial election, losing to Edwin Warfield.[1][2][5] In 1914, Williams was appointed a member of the Maryland State Board of Bar Examiners and stayed in that role until he resigned in 1921. He was also the president of the Maryland State Bar Association.[6] He served on the Maryland Council of Defense from 1917 to 1920. He also served as the director of the Bel Air Electric Company.[1]

Personal life[edit]

Williams married Ariel Elizabeth Streett, daughter of John Rush Streett, of Harford County on March 31, 1875. They had four children: Elise, Harriet A., Elizabeth Rush and Lewis J. Williams.[2][4] He was an Episcopalian.[4]

Grave of Williams in Churchville Presbyterian Church cemetery

Williams died on February 20, 1932, at his home in Bel Air. He was buried in the Churchville Presbyterian Church cemetery.[6][7]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d "Stevenson A. Williams (1851-1932)". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. February 7, 2008. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Men of Mark in Maryland. Vol. 4. B.F. Johnson, Incorporated. 1912. pp. 135–138.
  3. ^ a b c d Distinguished Men of Baltimore and of Maryland. Baltimore American. 1914. p. 47. Retrieved December 4, 2022 – via Archive.org.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Portrait and Biographical Record of Harford and Cecil Counties, Maryland. 1897. pp. 542–543. Retrieved October 21, 2023 – via Archive.org.Open access icon
  5. ^ "Historical List, Senate, Harford County (1838-1966)". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. September 30, 1999. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  6. ^ a b "S. A. Williams, Harford County Attorney, Dies". The Evening Sun. February 20, 1932. p. 16. Retrieved August 2, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  7. ^ "Williams". The Baltimore Sun. February 21, 1932. p. 27. Retrieved August 2, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon

External links[edit]