John R. Williams

For other people named John R. Williams, seeJohn R. Williams (disambiguation).

John R. Williams
1stMayor of Detroit, second charter
In office 1824–1825
Preceded by	New Title
Succeeded by	Henry Jackson Hunt
In office 1830–1830
Preceded by	Jonathan Kearsley
Succeeded by	Marshall Chapin
In office 1844–1847
Preceded by	Zina Pitcher
Succeeded by	James A. Van Dyke
Personal details
Born	(1782-05-04)May 4, 1782 Detroit,Quebec,British America
Died	October 20, 1854(1854-10-20)(aged 72) Detroit, Michigan, U.S.

John R. Williams(May 4, 1782 – October 20, 1854) was an American soldier, merchant, and politician who is best known for serving as the firstmayor of Detroit, Michigan,after the city's reincorporation. In total, he served as Detroit's mayor for five other terms. He also was abrigadier generalin theUnited States Armyduring theBlack Hawk War.

Early life and education

See also:Campau family

Born in Detroit, he was baptized as John Williams (he later adopted the "R" in his name to distinguish himself from another John Williams who was living in Detroit at the time).His parents wereThomas Williamsand Cecile Campeau, of Detroit'sCampau family.His father, who had been active in civic and political affairs,died before December 12, 1785, at which timeJoseph Campeau (which he generally spelled Campau)leased a house to Cecile (widow of Thomas Williams) that was located north of the Detroit River and adjacent to Joseph Campau's property.His mother married Jaques Leson in 1790 and lived in what is nowSt. Clair County, Michigan.Cecile died on June 24, 1805, and was buried in theSt. Anne's churchcemetery.Raised in his mother's French Canadian community, he spoke and wrote fluently in bothFrenchand English.

Personal life

Williams married Mary Mott, one of his cousins, in 1804. She was the daughter of Gershom Mott,who served during theRevolutionary War,and Elizabeth Williams, who was the sister ofThomas Williamsfrom Albany.The couple had ten children together.One of them,UnionGeneral Thomas Williams,was killed in action during theCivil Warat theBattle of Baton Rougein 1862.

Career

Military and business career

Williams served in the Territorial Militia from 1796 to 1799 at Fort Marsac inTennessee.Upon leaving the army, he returned to Detroit and joined his uncle,Joseph Campau,in his successful mercantile business.During theWar of 1812,Williams again served in themilitia,this time as thecaptainof anartillerycompany.

Political life

After the end of the war, Williams was appointed Associate Justice of the County Court for Michigan in 1815. He went on to serve as a County Commissioner and Adjutant General of the Territory,and at his death was the senior Major General of the state militia.In 1824, Williams wrote the City Charter and served as the first official mayor of the City of Detroit. He was also elected and served as the fourth and thirteenth mayor in 1830 and 1844–1846, respectively.Besides serving as mayor, Williams was a landowner, merchant, and bank president during his lifetime.He served as one of the firsttrusteesof theUniversity of Michigan,was president of theDetroit Board of Education,and was a delegate to the first Michigan Constitutional Convention.In 1831, Willams and Joseph Campau started theDemocratic Free Pressnewspaper, which became theDetroit Free Press.

Mary died on January 18, 1830.Williams died at the age of seventy-two on October 20, 1854.He isinterredatElmwood Cemeteryin Detroit.

Today, a street inmetropolitan Detroitbears his name. "John R" Street was named while John R. Williams was still living, which is atypical to the way most roads obtain their name.In fact, Williams gave the road its name himself.

See also

• List of mayors of Detroit