Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1918-06-28
James E. Williams.
Boyds. Md. June 18th. 1918.


On Wednesday last, June 18th, at 9I(
A. NJ, Mr.. James E. Williams, one of the
Oldest residents of Boyds. died at his home
here, aged 80 years, five months and TWEEN
ty-three days, following stroke of paraly-
sis January Gath Of this year.
Mr.. Williams was born in Frederick
county. Nd, December 18th, 1884. In early
life Mr.. Williams began his first start in
life as carpenter with his father. Samuel
Williams. In 1880, at the age of 26. he
went into the mercantile business at Clarks-
burg, Nd, and at the close of the Civil War
he moved to Germantown and formed a
partnership with Joshua Dorsey in the
general merchandise business. After re-
siding at Germantown a few years. he
moved to Boyds, where he died. He located
here in 1858. when Boyds was practically
wilderness Of pines. The farm here he
bought from Howard Clements cost him at
an average $13 per acre.
While at Germantown he foresaw the
coming Of the now Metropolitan Branch of
the Baltimore and Ohio, which gave to
that road its first direct outlet from Wash
ington city to the West, and hence his
purchase of property in this section.
After moving here he again entered the
mercantile business, with Colonel Jas. A.
Boyd as a partner. and shortly after the
dissolution Of this partnership he formed
a partnership with Mahlon T. Lewis. which
continued until about twenty years ago,
when Mr. Williams retired from active
mercantile business, devoting his time to
his large farming interests here.
He was the first postmaster and railroad
agent at Boyds, holding the two positions
for twenty-odd years. He was member
of the board Of directors Of the Montgom-
cry County National Bank Of Rockville for
many years, and served one term as School
Commissioners for Montgomery county.
During all Mr.. Williams life he has had
the interest Of the community at heart.
building many homes here that form a
greater part Of the little village.
He was a lifelong member of the Pres
byterian Church, and was one Of the found
ers Of the church established here in 1875.
The land on which this edifice was built
and also the railroad depot here was do
mated by him.
No man was held in higher esteem than
ha vuho x,;lI;0d div and chaarf,,lI., ol,ua a. q
did everything to help his fellow-man.
The funeral services were held at his
home. where large throng from all sec
tons Of Montgomery and adjoining coun-
ties and from Washington attended.
Rev. A. o. Gillingham, pastor of the
Presbyterian Church here, conducted the
funeral services. The honorary pallbear-
ers were the directors of the Montgomery
County National Bank. The active pail
bearers were Messrs. James L. Higgins,
Nathan S. White. NJ Eugene Wade. Basil
Burdette, Charles A. Watkins and Smith
Hoyle.
Interment was in the Presbyterian ceme-
terry at Boyds.
Mr.. Williams is survived by his widow
who was a Miss Burdette. of near Clarks-
burg. and Ave children-Mrs Cora L. Pol
lock, Of Boyds; James B. Williams. agent
for the Baltimore and Ohio at Washington
junction. Md; Mrs. B. II. Dutrow. John W
Williams. former member of the Maryland
Legislature. William M. Williams. Of Boyds
and Mrs. Nathan S. White.
JWW