Representative James L. Williams View All Years

HON. JAMES L. WILLIAMS, of Marshalltown, died suddenly on the 30th of January, 1894. He was born in Cattaraugus County, New York, May 3rd, 1831, and came to Iowa in September, 1854. He settled at Marietta, then the county seat of Marshall county. He was soon after appointed Clerk of the District Court, which position he held until 1868, when he declined to serve longer. He practiced law from that time until 1873, when he helped to organize the City National Bank of which he became president. In 1872 he was elected to the lower branch of the Legislature, serving with ability. When the county seat was removed to Marshalltown in 1860 he moved to that place which has been his residence since. The Times-Republican says of him: “He had been a continuous resident of this city for more than thirty-four years, and has taken pride in its growth and prosperity, contributing much of his time, talent and means towards every industrial enterprise or public improvement; and his influence, ability and sagacity have been material factors in the promotion of the city’s interests. He was a kind and lenient man, with a big warm heart, a helping hand for the poor, ever ready to assist a friend in need, always actuated by generous and unselfish impulses. He was intellectual, scholarly, polished, brilliant and courteous, rich in all the attributes of civility; in fine, a true gentleman.”