Individual 622: Prof. James Clark Williams

Individual Record 622

Name} Williams, James Clark

Family History} Hancock

Title} Professor

Race} White

Sex} Male

Birth: Date} Fam 1850

Place} West Deer Twp., Allegheny, Pennsylvania

Marr1: Date}

Place}

Marr2: Date} Exa 5 Jul 1904

Place} , Butler, Ohio (Link)

Death: Date} Exa 1930

Place}

Burial: Date} Exa 1930

Place} Rocky Springs Cemetery, Sandy Lake, Mercer, Pennsylvania

Grave Marker} Yes

Source 1}	101 = Geog history
Source 2}	102 = 1860 USA cen
Source 3}	103 = 1870 USA cen
Source 4}	788 = Family history
Source 5}	1428=Marriage rec
Source 6}	1437=1930 USA cen
Source 7}	1438=Cemetery rec
Source 8}
Source 9}
Source 10}
Source 11}

Parents: } David P. Williams & Mary Ann McCaw
Relationship No.} 54

1st Household No.} 112 = Curry University, Pittsburgh

Occupation 1} Business executive
Occupation 2} School administrator
Occupation 3} Salesman

Religion/Church} Presbyterian

Spouses: Prime} ? ? ?
Second} Vogan, Grace
Total Number of} 2

Notes: James Clark Williams was born about 1850 probably in West Deer Twp., Allegheny, Pennsylvania. He was the first of eleven children of David P. Williams and Mary Ann McCaw. In the 1860 USA census, James, 10, was living with his family in West Deer Twp.. His father was a farmer. His siblings were Thomas, 8, Harmon, 3, and Lizzie 2. William Jones, 17, a laborer, was enumerated in the household.

In the 1870 USA cen, James, 18, was living with his family in what was now called the Richland Twp. His siblings were Thomas, 14, Harmon, 12, Elizabeth, 12, Theodore, 9, Anna, 7, Margaret, 5, David, 3, and Joseph 3 months.

The four years after leaving the farm were spent in collegiate studies, which he commenced under the private tuition of the great astronomer and teacher, Prof. Bradley (the founder of the Allegheny Observatory), and continued at Westminister College, Lawrence County, PA. In 1872, he became the junior member of the firm of Garber & Williams, successors to Higby Cust & Co., importers and dealers in queensware and fine china, 189 Liberty Street, Pittsburgh. In 1874, having disposed of his interest in that firm to advantage, he embarked in the real estate business. Shortly after he purchased large flouring-mill interests, which, by energy and good business management, were made very profitable.

Five years later, the mills having been destroyed by fire, James associated himself with Curry Institutein Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, after which he became principal in 1880 and with his brother Harmon D. Williams, built up the institution in the face of most discouraging circumstances, attaining an almost unparalleled success. He became President of the Curry University.

The September 1880 term was begun with less than a dozen pupils, while the enrollment in 1888 was 1,403 students. A faculty of 30 teachers gave instruction in the full course of university studies. In recognition of his scholarly attainments a Master of Arts degree was conferred upon him by Lafayette College, Easton, PA in 1883.

Curry University was non-sectarian, but it was a thoroughly Christian institution with a high standard of morality.

James was a regular attendant at and member of the Third Presbyterian Church for many years. He was described as a man of tireless energy, of abundant resources in management, strict, yet kind in discipline. The large institution which he built up in so short a time was both an honor to himself and to the country in which he was born.

Click here for a description of Pittsburgh in 1902.

On the 1904 date of James' second marriage, he was 51 years old and reported his occupation to be salesman. Thus it appears that his association with Curry University had ended by 1904.

Time of Birth}

Time of Death}

Fraternal/Social}

Baptism Date}

Place}

Confirm. Date}

Engraving} James circa 1889

Immigr'n Date} N/A

Port} N/A

Education: Grade} Westminister College; Lafayette College
or Top 2 Degrees} Master of Arts in 1883

Military: Service} for the State of}

Health Condition}
Cause of Death}

Last Updated
by} Karen Hancock

Date Updated} 1 Jun 2023
Date Created} 3 Mar 1996

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