Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

patrons Elsworth Strong, C. R. Dix, R.
G. Watrous, James Daniels and Priest &
Daniels. As time passed he reached out
into the retail branch of the trade, and
established himself so thoroughly with
people of taste that he gave up the whole-
sale trade in 1890 to devote his attention
entirely to his retail interests. This wide
experience, together with his infinite
capacity for detail, gave Mr. Williams an
enviable position as an authority, such as
can be attained only by persistent and
intelligent application to business. His
specialty was seal skin garments of the
finest quality. He was held in high esteem
by -the business circles of Hartford
as a representative business man. He died
in 1891, at the age of sixty-two. For
many years Mr. Williams was a member
of Grace Episcopal Church, in Windsor,
of which he was warden at the time of
his death. Being a devout man, he
served the church in some official capacity
during the greater part of his membership
there. He was a member of St. John's
Lodge, No. 4, Free and Accepted Masons,
and of Magnolia Lodge, Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, of Brooklyn, New
York. While he could never be induced
to accept political honors, he was a thoroughly
public-spirited citizen and staunch
supporter of the Republican party. He
was a member of the Governor's Foot
Guard for many years.
Alfred Williams married (first) Martha
A. Farley, a native of London, the daugh-
ter of Joseph Farley, a steel-plate polisher,
famous as chief bell-ringer of London.
He died at the age of sixty years. To
Alfred and Martha A. Williams were born
seven children, of whom Alfred C. J. was
the second. The others now living are
Mrs. George H. Williams, of Windsor;
Emily, Mrs. Charles A. Gray : Annie, who
married Frank W. Barber, in Windsor;
and Frances, who married Fred B.
:
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
92
Bower, of Windsor. The mother died in
Hartford at the age or thirty-six years.
She was a member of St. Thomas' Epis-
copal Church. Mr. Williams married
(second) Emeline A. Tompkins, who was
a native of Litchfield, Connecticut. A
son of this marriage, Harry B., is now
engaged in the insurance business in
Hartford.
(Ill) Alfred C. J. Williams was born
in London, England, December 9, 1855,
and in early infancy was brought by his
parents to America. He was a studious,
home-loving boy ; was educated in the
public schools of New York and Hartford.
He early showed an interest in his father's
business, and although he had several
opportunities of following that trade with
other establishments to his great advan-
tage, he chose to be identified with his
father's firm, and in the early nineties
was made a partner. The firm name became
Alfred Williams & Son. Under the
management of the son the firm has con-
tinued to cater to the best trade, and its
standard of quality is in no degree dim-
inished. Excellence of workmanship is as
much a feature of their finished product
as are good taste and style. These goods
have taken first prizes and medals at
each of the various State fairs where they
have been exhibited, more than justifying
the claim of superior quality. The
firm enjoys a well-earned reputation
which is by no means confined within the
boundaries of this State.
In 1882, Mr. Williams married Millie
K. Bond, a native of Hartford, and of
this union was born one son, Raymond
Sidney. Mrs. Williams is the only child
of Lafayette K. Bond, for many years a
citizen of Hartford, and a cabinet maker
by trade. The son married Marie Simpson,
of Bristol, Connecticut, and has one
child, Inez Marie.
Besides being a figure of mark in the