John R. Williams

John R Williams (May 4, 1782 – October 20, 1854) was an American soldier, merchant, and politician who is most well known for serving as the first mayor of Detroit, Michigan. in total, he served as Detroit's mayor for five other terms. He also was a brigadier general in the United States Army during the Black Hawk War.

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). He spoke only French until his twenties. Williams married Mary Mott in 1804, and the couple had ten children together. One of them, Thomas Williams, would later be killed in action as a Union general during the American Civil War.

Williams served in the Territorial Militia from 1796 to 1799 at Fort Marsac in Tennessee. Upon leaving the army, he returned to Detroit and began a trading business along with his uncle, Joseph Campau. During the War of 1812, Williams again served in the militia, this time as the captain of an artillery company.

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. In 1824, Williams wrote the City Charter and served as the first official mayor of the City of Detroit. He also 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.

Williams died at the age of seventy-two on October 20, 1854. He is interred at Elmwood Cemetery in Detroit.

Today, a street in Metro Detroit bears his name. John R Street was named while John R Williams was still living, atypical to the way most roads obtain their name. In fact, Williams gave the road its name himself.

ee also

*List of mayors of Detroit, Michigan

References

* Bailey, Mary. “Detroit's street names honor early leaders.” Rearview Mirror. The Detroit News. 05 Jun 2005. [http://info.detnews.com/history/story/index.cfm?id=199&category=locations]
* “John R. Williams.” History Detroit. 2001. 05 Jun 2005. [http://www.historydetroit.com/people/john_r_williams.asp]
* Detroit Almanac