BIOGRAPHY: Frank WILLIAMS, Cambria County, PA 

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From Wiley, Samuel T., ed. Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria 
County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Union Publishing Co., 1896, p. 254-5
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FRANK WILLIAMS, whose life has been one of activity and event in the field of 
American manufactures, is the organizer and general manager of the Basic Brick 
company, of Johnstown, and the general manager of the Fayette Manufacturing 
company, of Southwestern Pennsylvania.
      He is a son of James and Jane (Hamilton) Williams, and was born in 
Johnstown, Cambria County, Pennsylvania, May 19, 1865. He received his 
elementary education in the public schools of Johnstown, and spent two years in 
the laboratory of the Cambria Iron company. He then entered the Lehigh 
University, where he took the course in mining metallurgy, and was graduated in 
the class of 1887 with the degree of B.S. Immediately he took a post graduate 
course and received the degree of E. M. After graduation he spent a year at the 
Edgar Thomson Steel works of the Carnegie Steel company, after which he built 
the Michigan Steel works at Detroit, which he left as soon as it was in good 
running order to study in Europe the basic method of making steel, which was 
largely employed there. Returning from Europe he remodeled the plant of the 
Chicago Horse-shoe company, in Chicago, and had charge of the East Chicago 
Foundry company. His health failing, he was compelled to leave Chicago. After 
two years' travel he so far regained his health as to take charge of the Fayette 
Manufacturing company. This company has its plant at Layton, Fayette county, 
Pennsylvania. After the incorporation of the Fayette company he was elected 
president and manager. After the organization of the Basic Brick company he 
resigned as president of the Fayette company, but remains a director and general 
manager of both companies. The general office of these companies is in Pittsburg 
[sic]. The Fayette company manufactures silica, sand and magnesia bricks, and 
basic refractories, and is the sole agent for Carl Spacter, of Coblentz, 
Germany. In connection with the Basic Brick company these companies are the 
largest silica brick manufactures in the world, besides being the only 
successful magnesia brick makers in the United States. The Basic Brick company 
manufactures magnesia bricks, tuyeres, and crucibles, and silica brick for glass 
works and steel furnaces. The products of their yards go to all the large steel 
plants and smelting and refining works of America, and to some parts of Europe.
      Mr. Williams has never taken an active part in politics, although 
identified with the Republican party. He is a member of the Protestant Episcopal 
church. He has been a member of the American Institute of Mining Engineers since 
1888. At college he was elected a member of the Honorary Scientific Society of 
Tau Beta Pi, and the college fraternity of the Theta Delta Chi. He is a member 
of the Duquesne and the University clubs of Pittsburg [sic], Pennsylvania. He is 
unmarried, and resides with his parents at No. 511 Main street.
      Frank Williams is justly acknowledged as one of the leading and most 
scientific brick manufacturers of the United States, a position won by ability, 
technical education, and energy. In a few years he has done much to increase the 
output of basic steel in the United States, and thus utilized ores, in many 
localities, which were considered worthless for steel, at the same time 
producing a purer and better grade of steel. In the smelting and refining of 
copper, lead, zinc, and the precious metals, much progress has been made due to 
the basic materials introduced. Formerly all this material was used only by the 
largest steel firms, and none was manufactured in this country.
      From the Fayette and basic companies the various basic and neutral 
materials can be obtained in all shapes and proportions necessary to the smelter 
and refiner of metals.
      Early in the life Frank Williams has gained distinction and high standing 
in his chosen pursuit, and to his native city has given an additional industry 
and valuable increase to its yearly output of manufactures.