Joseph R. Williams

Joseph Rickelson Williams (born November 14, 1808 in Taunton , Massachusetts , † June 15, 1861 in Constantine , Michigan ) was an American politician . In 1861 he was acting lieutenant governor of the state of Michigan.

Career

Joseph Williams attended the Sandwich Academy and then studied at Harvard University until 1831 . After completing a law degree and admission to the bar, he began practicing in New Bedford . For health reasons, he gave up this profession in 1835. Between 1835 and 1839 he was in Toledo ( Ohio ) for an investment company from New England operates. Then he moved to Constantine, Michigan. There he was mainly involved in the construction and operation of flour mills. He also embarked on a political career as a member of the Whig Party . He ran two unsuccessful candidates for the United States House of Representatives and the US Senate . In 1850 he took part as a delegate to a constitutional convention of the state of Michigan. Between 1853 and 1856 he lived again in Toledo, where he published a newspaper. After the Whigs dissolved, he joined the new Republican Party .

Williams returned to Michigan in 1856. Between 1857 and 1859 he was President of the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan , now Michigan State University . In 1860 he was elected to the Michigan Senate, where he held the office of President Pro Tempore . After the resignation of Lieutenant Governor James M. Birney , who took up a judge’s position, on April 3, 1861, Williams took over the post of Vice Governor as President Pro Tempore of the State Senate. This he held until his death on June 15, 1861. He was Deputy to Governor Austin Blair and official chairman of the State Senate.

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personal data
SURNAME	Williams, Joseph R.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Williams, Joseph Rickelson (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American politician
DATE OF BIRTH	November 14, 1808
PLACE OF BIRTH	Taunton , Massachusetts
DATE OF DEATH	June 15, 1861
Place of death	Constantine , Michigan