Joseph H. Williams
Encyclopedia
Joseph Hartwell Williams (June 2, 1814 - July 19, 1896) was an American
politician who served as the 27th Governor of Maine
from 1857 to 1858.
on June 2, 1814. He graduated from Harvard University
in 1830. He also studied at Dane Law School in Cambridge.
, the Governor of Maine at the time, resigned on February 25, 1857 to accept the United States Senatorship. Williams, president of the senate at the time, became the new governor of the state. He completed the term of Hannibal Hamlin. He left office on January 6, 1858.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician who served as the 27th Governor of Maine
Governor of Maine
The governor of Maine is the chief executive of the State of Maine. Before Maine was admitted to the Union in 1820, Maine was part of Massachusetts and the governor of Massachusetts was chief executive....
from 1857 to 1858.
Early years
Williams was born in Augusta, MaineAugusta, Maine
Augusta is the capital of the US state of Maine, county seat of Kennebec County, and center of population for Maine. The city's population was 19,136 at the 2010 census, making it the third-smallest state capital after Montpelier, Vermont and Pierre, South Dakota...
on June 2, 1814. He graduated from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
in 1830. He also studied at Dane Law School in Cambridge.
Politics
Williams was a Democrat. In 1854, he switched his political allegiance and become a Republican. He became a member and president of the Maine State Senate in 1857. Hannibal HamlinHannibal Hamlin
Hannibal Hamlin was the 15th Vice President of the United States , serving under President Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War...
, the Governor of Maine at the time, resigned on February 25, 1857 to accept the United States Senatorship. Williams, president of the senate at the time, became the new governor of the state. He completed the term of Hannibal Hamlin. He left office on January 6, 1858.
Later years
After leaving office, Williams served as a member of the Maine House of Representatives from 1864 to 1866. He was re-elected as an independent to the Maine House of Representatives in 1873. He held that position for two years. He ran for governorship in 1873, but he was unsuccessful. He then practiced law. He died on July 19, 1896.Sources
- Sobel, Robert and John Raimo. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978. Greenwood Press, 1988. ISBN 0-313-28093-2