Roger Williams (Wisconsin politician)

For others of the same name, see Roger Williams (disambiguation).

Roger Williams (January 21, 1836 – December 20, 1916) was an American merchant, farmer, and Republican politician. He served one term in the Wisconsin State Assembly (1879) and served ten years as chairman of the town of Hillsboro, Wisconsin.

Roger Williams
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Vernon 2nd district
In office January 6, 1879 – January 5, 1880
Preceded by	Allen Rusk
Succeeded by	David C. Yakey
Personal details
Born	(1836-01-21)January 21, 1836 Oswego, New York, U.S.
Died	December 20, 1916(1916-12-20) (aged 80) Hillsboro, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Ellen Melissa Matteson ​ ​ (m. 1842; died 1903)​
Children	Ella R. Williams George A. Williams
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army Union Army
Years of service	1862–1864
Unit	110th Reg. N.Y. Vol. Infantry
Battles/wars	American Civil War Siege of Port Hudson Battle of Irish Bend

Biography

Williams was born on January 21, 1836, in Oswego, New York. At age 14, he joined the crew of a merchant ship, and worked in the sea-faring merchant trade for the next nine years.^[1] At age 23, he engaged in a grocery business in New York, where he worked until the outbreak of the American Civil War.

In 1862, Williams volunteered for the Union Army, and mustered into service with Company I of the 110th New York Infantry Regiment.^[2] The 110th New York Infantry shipped out from Baltimore to Fort Monroe, Virginia, and then to New Orleans, Louisiana, for service in the Lower Seaboard Theater of the American Civil War. They were assigned to the Department of the Gulf and participated in the Siege of Port Hudson and the Battle of Irish Bend.^[1] Williams resigned due to disability in early 1864 after 18 months of service.^[2]

In 1865, he purchased a partially improved farmstead in the town of Hillsboro, in Vernon County, Wisconsin, and settled there in October of that year.^[2] He was elected chairman of the Hillsboro town board for ten years, was a leader on the local school board, and represented Hillsboro on the Vernon County Board of Supervisors.^[2] He was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly for the 1879 session, representing Vernon County's 2nd (eastern) district.^[1]

In 1884, he moved into the village of Hillsboro, where he owned a restaurant, though he continued to cultivate his farm.^[2] He served the last 30 years of his life as a justice of the peace for Vernon County.^[3]

He died December 20, 1916, at his home in Hillsboro, after a short illness.^[3]

Personal life and family

Williams married Ellen Melissa Matteson in 1842. They had at least two children before her death in 1903. At the time of her death, Williams was still living.^[4]

Williams was an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Masons.^[3]