Joseph Lanier Williams

Joseph Lanier Williams was an American politician that represented Tennessee's third district in the United States House of Representatives. He was born near Knoxville, Tennessee on October 23, 1810. He completed preparatory studies, attended the University of East Tennessee, and attended the United States Military Academy at West Point. He studied law, was admitted to the bar, and commenced practice in Knoxville, Tennessee.

He was elected as a Whig to the Twenty-fifth, Twenty-sixth, and Twenty-seven Congresses. He served from March 4, 1837 to March 3, 1843. He was an unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1842. He engaged in the practice of law in Washington, D.C. He was appointed judge of the United States District Court of Dakota Territory by President Abraham Lincoln. He died in Knoxville, Tennessee on December 31, 1865. He was interred in Old Gray Cemetery. He was the son of U.S. Senator John Williams.