Reuel Williams

Who was Reuel Williams?

Reuel Williams was a U.S. Senator from Maine.

Born in Hallowell, Maine to Seth Williams and Zelphia Ingraham, he attended Hallowell Academy, and went on to study law. He was admitted to the bar in 1804, commencing practice in Augusta, Maine.

He was a member of the Maine Legislature from 1812 to 1829 and again in 1832 and 1848. He was commissioner of public buildings in 1831. He served as a presidential elector on the Democratic ticket in 1836.

In 1837, he was elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Ether Shepley and served from March 4, 1837, to February 15, 1843, when he resigned.

While in the Senate he served as chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Naval Affairs.

He was also the manager of the Kennebec & Portland Railroad for 12 years. He died in Augusta, aged 79, and was interred in his family's cemetery on the banks of the Kennebec River in Augusta.

His son, Joseph H. Williams, also a politician, was elected Governor of Maine. A daughter, Jane E. Williams married author Sylvester Judd.