My Genealogy Hound

HENRY WILLIAMS, President of the East Bangor Slate Mining Company, is a native of Devonshire, England, born January 25, 1844, to the union of William and Jane (Berley) Williams. His ancestors resided in England as far back as the family genealogy extends. His father, also a native of Devonshire, was for many years employed in the slate quarries of his native land, where he died in 1858. The parental family consisted of eight children, of whom five are still living, three having died in infancy. Those who survive are James, a stone contractor of the Transvaal Republic, South Africa; William, a resident of Australia, where he is agent for a labor organization; Ann and Betsy, who live in England; and Henry, the only one of the family to come to the United States.

On the 24th of October, 1869, our subject came to America, and proceeding from New York to Pennsylvania went to Chapman’s Quarries, Northampton County, where for a year he engaged in slate-making. Thence he removed to East Bangor and entered the employ of the Consolidated Slate Company, the members of the firm being Bray & Short. After two years thus spent he went to the Bangor Union Quarry, in which he was employed one year. At the expiration of that time, he, with nine other gentleman, leased the Star Quarry, in the operation of which he was interested for twelve years, meeting with fair success in the undertaking. About May, 1891, he came to his present quarry, the old East Bangor, the lease of which he holds together with James Masters. The quarry is operated under the firm name of the East Bangor Slate Mining Company. The product is a fine grade of roofing slate, which is sold in the various markets and has an established reputation in this country. In addition to being President of this company, Mr. Williams is still interested in the Star Stone Company of East Bangor.

In the welfare of his community our subject is always interested, and has aided in its material and moral elevation. In politics a Republican, he is active in the local ranks of the party. For five years he served as Town Clerk, and at present is Justice of the Peace for the borough, of East Bangor. He is also a member of the School Board of. the same borough. His religious connections are with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is licensed as a local preacher, and is also Trustee and Class-leader. Both in church and educational work he is deeply interested, and contributes of his time and means to their development. Socially he is a member of Prosperity Lodge No. 661, I. O. O. F., of Bangor, and is a charter member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle, Castle No. 183, of East Bangor.

May 29, 1876, occurred the marriage of Mr. Williams to Miss Caroline O. Weidman, of East Bangor. Seven children have been born of their union, namely: Ophelia J., William J., Charles W., Arlington H., Carrie M., Raymond and Oscar.