George Howard Williams, American lawyer, ex-senator Member American, Missouri State and Saint Louis bar associations; Member for 12 years, and chairman, Saint Louis Board of Children’s Guardians.
Background
George H. Williams was born in California, Moniteau County, Missouri to John Morrow and Alice Gray (Howard) Williams. His father was heavily involved in state and local politics, serving as a member of the Missouri Senate, a prosecuting attorney, and circuit judge.
Education
Following his graduation from California High School in 1889, George Williams attended college preparatory classes at Drury College in Springfield, Missouri. He then attended Princeton University, earning his degree in 1894. He went on to further study at Washington University in Saint Louis, receiving his Bachelor of Laws in 1897.
Career
A Republican, he served as United States. Senator from Missouri from 1925 to 1926, completing the term of Selden P. Spencer following the latter"s death. Williams was admitted to the Missouri Bar the same year, at which time he established a law practice in Saint Louis, Missouri In June, 1900 Williams married Harriet Chase Stewart, daughter of prominent Saint Louis attorney Alphonso Stewart and granddaughter of Confederate Civil War General Alexander P. Stewart. The couple would have two sons.
Howard and Stewart.
In 1902 Williams joined the law firm of his father-in-law. George Williams, long involved in Missouri Republican politics, was appointed a circuit court judge for the Saint Louis region in 1906, a position he would hold until 1912. In that position he was a key player in developing a new juvenile code for Missouri, and took a strong interest in bettering the lives of children that lasted even after he left the court.
In 1922 Williams was named as a delegate to the Missouri Constitutional Convention, where his acumen for business law proved especially valuable.
The convention allowed Williams to gain some name recognition around the state as well as he chaired several important committees. In 1923, in appreciation for his service, Missouri Valley College awarded him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.
With the unexpected death of Senator Selden Spencer in May, 1925 Williams was tapped by Missouri Governor Sam Baker to fill the remaining eighteen months of Spencer"s term until the 1926 general election. However in the November general election he lost to Democratic challenger Harry B. Hawes 52-percent to 48-percent.
Following his senate defeat, George Williams returned to his Saint Louis law practice until 1943 when he retired and moved to Matson, Missouri.
Long interested in state and national history, Williams led an effort to preserve a Saint Charles County, Missouri farm once owned by Daniel Boone. The effort was a success, with Lindenwood University now owning and operating the Historic Daniel Boone Home and Heritage Center near Defiance, Missouri. During his life George Williams was a financial backer of several colleges and universities, including his alma maters Drury College and Princeton as well as Westminster College and College of the Ozarks In 1950, George Williams moved once again, to Sarasota, Florida, where he died on November 25, 1963.
He is buried in the Masonic Cemetery in California, Missouri.
Membership
Member American, Missouri State and Saint Louis bar associations. Member for 12 years, and chairman, Saint Louis Board of Children’s Guardians. Clubs: Noonday, University.
Connections
Married Harriet Chase Stewart, June 12, 1900. Children: Stewart, Howard.