John J. McWilliams (1842 - 1912)

Born 16 Jun 1842 in Cornwall on the Hudson, New York

Ancestors

Descendants

Biography

John James McWilliams was born at Cornwall on the Hudson June 16, 1842. He was educated in Elmira, N. Y., and at the State Normal School at Albany. For some time after finishing his studies Mr. McWilliams taught school in Elmira. In 1869 he came to Buffalo and obtained employment in the coal department of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Company. This was the beginning of a long business connection, notable on one side for efficient and reliable service, and on the other for satisfaction with Mr. Mc Williams' capability and with the results achieved by him. After continuing for a considerable period in the coal department of the Delaware & Lackawanna, Mr. McWilliams became Western sales agent for the company, in which responsible position he remained until his voluntary retirement in 1903, since which event he has devoted himself to his large invested and manufacturing interests. Besides his functions as President of the Niagara Cordage Company and President of the Niagara Lithograph Company, Mr. McWilliams is President of the Provident Loan Company, President of the Christian Homestead Association, and a trustee of the Erie County Savings Bank.

In politics Mr. McWilliams is a Republican. In 1905 he served as Chairman of the Civil Service Board, and has given much valuable time and effort to the cause.

Mr. McWilliams is among the foremost officials and workers of the Buffalo Y. M. C. A. He has been a trustee of the organization for years, and he is at present also its Treasurer. The philanthropic activities of Mr. McWilliams are of wide scope. He is a willing giver, both of money and work. Much of his time is spent in dealing with the needs of the charities which demand his attention, and Buffalo benevolences owe much to his munificence and to his sound advice in practical questions. Among the social and other organizations with which Mr. McWilliams is connected may be mentioned the Buffalo, Ellicott and Republican clubs. He is a member of the Buffalo Historical Society, and is one of its managers. He has for many years been a trustee of the B'irst Congregational Church, atfd is Vice-President of the Buffalo Orphan Asylum.

Mr. McWilliams married Esther Keeler, daughter of Philander Norton of Elmira, N. Y. Mrs. McWilliams is a descendant of William Norton, whose family settled in Salem, Connecticut, in 1628, several members of a later generation serving in the Kevolutionary War. Mrs. McWilliams is in sympathetic and earnest accord with her husband in his philanthropic work. She is officially identified with several- benevolent organizations and is unwearied in her devotion to their interests. The children of Mr. and Mrs. McWilliams are two, S. N., and Mary. Mary, the daughter, is the wife of Horace Reed, who is Treasurer and General Manager of the Niagara Lithograph Company. They have three children, John McWilliams, Horace Wasson and Carl Norton.

Sources

MEMORIAL AND FAMILY HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY NEW YORK VOLUME I BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL ILLUSTRATED NEW YORK- BUFFALO THE GENEALOGICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY 1906-8 THE WINTHEOP PEESS 419-421 LAFAYETTE STREET NEW YORK

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