Williams, Alpheus S. (Alpheus Starkey), 1810-1878

Detroit, Mich. resident, brigadier general (brevet major general) and division and corps commander during the Civil War.

Attorney, businessman, politician and soldier.

Alpheus S. Williams, son of Ezra and Hepzibah (Starkey) Williams, was born at Saybrook, Conn., Sep. 20, 1810. Graduated from Yale University, 1831; studied three years in Yale Law School. Traveled extensively in United States and Europe, 1834-36; was admitted to Michigan bar, 1837. Was Wayne County probate judge, 1840-1844. Bought controlling interest in Detroit Daily Advertiser, but disposed of it when he entered the volunteers, the First Michigan Infantry, late in 1847. Served in Mexico. Detroit postmaster, 1849-53; president of Michigan Oil Company; member of Common Council, etc. Was brigadier general in Civil War service, 1861-1866; commanded division in Shenandoah Valley, 1862, and at Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and Atlanta campaign. Was appointed minister resident to Salvador, 1866-69; was member of Congress, 1874-78, and was chairman of the Committee on the District of Columbus, then being reorganized. He married (first), Jane Hereford (Larned) Pierson, Jan., 1838, and (second) Martha Ann (Conant) Tillman, Sep. 17, 1873. He died Dec. 21 (Dic. Am. Biog. 1878.)