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Biography

Alexander Williams was a New York State senator. Williams started working in a dry goods store in Sodus, NY at the age of ten. In 1835, he became a partner of a different dry goods store, before opening his own dry goods store in 1837. He engaged in this venture until 1841, when he was appointed the Deputy Collector and Inspector of Sodus Bay by President William Henry Harrison. He resigned the same year and went back into the mercantile business until 1845. The same year, he was elected county clerk, which he served as for six years. Before serving in the Senate, Williams also served in the military, where he reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In 1855, Williams ran unsuccessfully for State Treasurer, but two years later he was nominated for the New York State Senate as a Republican. During his time in the Senate, Williams served as chairman of the Standing Committee on Roads and Bridges, a member of the committees on State Prisons and Public Printing. Williams was an anti-Mason and Whig before joining the Republican Party in 1854.  

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Biography and Citation Information:
Biography: 
Alexander Williams was a New York State senator. Williams started working in a dry goods store in Sodus, NY at the age of ten. In 1835, he became a partner of a different dry goods store, before opening his own dry goods store in 1837. He engaged in this venture until 1841, when he was appointed the Deputy Collector and Inspector of Sodus Bay by President William Henry Harrison. He resigned the same year and went back into the mercantile business until 1845. The same year, he was elected county clerk, which he served as for six years. Before serving in the Senate, Williams also served in the military, where he reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In 1855, Williams ran unsuccessfully for State Treasurer, but two years later he was nominated for the New York State Senate as a Republican. During his time in the Senate, Williams served as chairman of the Standing Committee on Roads and Bridges, a member of the committees on State Prisons and Public Printing. Williams was an anti-Mason and Whig before joining the Republican Party in 1854.
Citation Type: 
Book or Book Chapter
Book or Monograph Title: 
Biographical Sketches of State Officers and Members of the Legislature fo the State of New York in 1859
Author(s) or Editor(s): 
WM. D. Murphy
Chapter Title: 
Alexander B. Williams
Publisher Location: 
Albany
Publisher Name: 
C. Van Benthuysen
Year: 
1859
Start Page: 
118
End Page: 
120
Citation Notes: 
http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/williams1.html
Citation for Birth Info:
Citation Type: 
Book or Book Chapter
Book or Monograph Title: 
Biographical Sketches of State Officers and Members of the Legislature fo the State of New York in 1859
Author(s) or Editor(s): 
WM. D. Murphy
Chapter Title: 
Alexander B. Williams
Publisher Location: 
Albany
Publisher Name: 
C. Van Benthuysen
Year: 
1859
Start Page: 
118
End Page: 
120
Citation for Death Info: