Benjamin Williams (Vermont politician)

Benjamin Williams (July 8, 1876 – February 11, 1957) was an American politician who served as Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives and Lieutenant Governor.

Benjamin Williams
Benjamin Williams in 1920's "Vermont: Its Government"
57th Lieutenant Governor of Vermont
In office
1931–1933
GovernorStanley C. Wilson
Preceded byStanley C. Wilson
Succeeded byCharles M. Smith
Personal details
Born(1876-07-08)July 8, 1876
Fair Haven, Vermont
DiedFebruary 11, 1957(1957-02-11) (aged 80)
Proctor, Vermont
Political partyRepublican
ProfessionAttorney
Banker
Businessman

Life and career

Williams was born in Fair Haven, Vermont on July 8, 1876. He graduated from Norwich University and was an attorney, executive of the Vermont Marble Company, and President of the Proctor Trust Company.[1][2]

A Republican, Williams served as Proctor's Town Clerk from 1906 to 1918. From 1906 to 1908 he was Secretary of Civil and Military Affairs (chief assistant) to Governor Fletcher D. Proctor.[3][4]

Williams served in the Vermont House of Representatives from 1917 to 1921. In 1920 he was elected to the Vermont State Senate, and served one term.[5]

In 1928 he returned to the Vermont House, and was chosen to serve as Speaker.[6]

In 1930 Williams was elected Lieutenant Governor, serving from 1931 to 1933.[7]

Williams was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor in 1934, losing the Republican nomination to Charles M. Smith.[8]

Williams died in Proctor on February 5, 1957.[9] He was buried in Fair Haven's Cedar Grove Cemetery.[10]

References
  1. Vermont Secretary of State, Vermont Legislative Directory, 1931, page 556
  2. The New London Day, Vermont's Lt. Governor to Attend Cadet Game, November 9, 1931
  3. Walter J. Bigelow, Vermont: Its Government, 1919, page 109
  4. Vermont general Assembly, Journal of the Vermont Senate, 1907, page 15
  5. Vermont Bar Association, Annual Meeting Proceedings, 1957, page 64
  6. Vermont Archives and Records Administration Archived 2012-04-15 at the Wayback Machine, Speakers of the Vermont House of Representatives Since 1870, 2011, page 6
  7. Vermont Archives and Records Administration Archived 2012-04-15 at the Wayback Machine, List of Lieutenant Governors and terms of Service, 2011, page 2
  8. Associated Press, Sen. Austin Renominated in Vermont: Smith Leads Williams for Governorship, Nashua Telegraph, September 12, 1934
  9. New York Times, Benjamin Williams, Banker in Vermont, February 13, 1957
  10. Anderson, Esther J., Proctor (VT) Town Clerk (February 13, 1957). "Vermont Death Records, 1909-2008, entry for Benjamin Williams". Ancestry.com. Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, LLC. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
Political offices
Preceded by
Loren R. Pierce		 Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives
1929 – 1931		 Succeeded by
Edward H. Deavitt
Preceded by
Stanley C. Wilson		 Lieutenant Governor of Vermont
1931 – 1933		 Succeeded by
Charles M. Smith
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