Hampshire County MA Archives Biographies.....Williams, Henry L. 1859 - 
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Author: J. R. Gilfillan and H. E. Riley (1899)

CAPTAIN HENRY L. WILLIAMS.

   In no particular was Co. I more fortunate during its war service than in the
personnel of its officers, both commissioned and non-commissioned, this being
especially applicable to the company commander, Captain Henry L. Williams.
During the five years and over that he had been in command he had drilled his
men with the idea of fitting them for just such an emergency as confronted the
militiamen of the country in April 1898, and the call for volunteers found no
similar organization in the state better qualified to respond than Co. L His own
study and devotion to duty had carried the same practical purpose, and though
the war found him at the head of a large business concern he promptly offered
himself and his military experience to his country's service. His splendid
physique took him through the rigid examination with flying colors, and with the
mustering in of the company he received his commission as captain of volunteers,
on May 3, 1898.

   Circumstances and conditions beyond the control of any officer of the Second
Regiment deprived every company commander of an opportunity to gain distinction
by leading his men in a battle charge. But there were other fields for the
display of courage and heroism and in none of these was Captain Williams found
wanting. Throughout the campaign he shared every danger and hardship which his
men endured, and in the most trying experiences was an inspiring example of
soldierly fortitude. The comfort and health of his men received his constant
attention, and like Col. Roosevelt he frequently violated the senseless army
rule that no officer shall buy rations for his men. Money had been given into
his charge to use for the company, and when the regular army rations failed to
give the men proper nourishment Captain Williams did not hesitate to purchase
what he thought was needed if it was obtainable. His thoughtfulness and constant
devotion to the welfare of his men won him their admiration and loyalty, and
they would have followed him anywhere.

   The splendid condition of Co. I at the time the war broke out was due in
considerable measure to the able leadership of Captain Williams. He was
commissioned captain on December 13, 1892, and though without previous military
experience he met with success from the beginning of his work. He secured
excellent discipline without losing the respect of the men, and the standard of
the command steadily improved until Co. I was generally acknowledged to be the
best in the regiment, both in personnel and efficiency. Furthermore he aroused
public interest in the company and made it the pride of the city. The high
esteem in which Captain Williams was held while in command was finely shown at
the outbreak of hostilities, when parents whose sons were eager to volunteer
gave their sanction on condition that Captain Williams would lead the company.
After the return of the company from the war he declined to remain in the
militia and his resignation was accepted December 14, 1898.

   Henry L. Williams is the son of the late Lucien B. and Harriet (Copeland)
Williams and was born in Huntington January 2, 1859. His parents moved to
Northampton in 1862 and he has since lived here. After attending the public
schools he fitted for college in a special course of study under the late D. D.
Gorham and entered Yale, graduating in 1882. He at once entered the basket
manufacturing business which his father had founded, and in 1892 became
vice-president of the large concern. In January, 1895, he was chosen a director
of the Northampton National Bank. His father died July 23, 1895, and in the
following January Captain Williams succeeded him as president of the Williams
Manufacturing Company. Public office has never had any attraction for him and he
declined to run for mayor in the fall of 1898, though his friends urged him and
his election was assured. He has been president of the Northampton Vocal Club
since its organization in 1897.

   Captain Williams was married to Miss Isabella Hall Dewey, of Boston, on May
28, 1884. They occupy the old Williams homestead, on South street, one of the
finest estates in the city, and the charming hospitality of their home is
unsurpassed.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

NORTHAMPTON IN THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR
BY
JAMES R. GILFILLAN
AND
HERBERT E. RILEY.

ILLUSTRATED.

PRESS OF
ENTERPRISE PRINTING COMPANY
EASTHAMPTON, MASS.
1899.

Copyright, 1899,
by J. R. Gilfillan and H. E. Riley.


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