San
Joaquin County
Biographies
EDWIN A. WILLIAMS
A native son, proud of his
connection with San Joaquin County, Edwin A. Williams was born on his father’s
ranch four miles from Lodi, October 8, 1878, a son of Edwin and Bessie (Martin)
Williams, the former a native of Wales who came to California in the year 1869,
soon afterwards settled down to the life of a rancher and here, on his Lodi
ranch continued agricultural pursuits until his death. He was an early member of the Lodi Lodge of
Odd Fellows. Mrs. Williams was born in
England, and she is still living, the mother of five children: Reese, of Stockton; Mrs. B. Parmento, of San Francisco; Edwin A.; Mrs. Margaret Thim; and Mrs. Lea Hussy.
Edwin A. Williams attended the
district school in the vicinity of the home ranch, and when old enough began
helping his father. Later he was
employed on the George Ashley ranch. In
1898 he came to Stockton and entered the employ of the Holt Manufacturing
Company, and began learning the trade of machinist; and later he was with
Matteson & Williams. In 1900 Mr.
Williams entered the employ of J. M. Kroyer, when he
started the Samson Iron Works, and soon became superintendent of the
plant. He remained in the employ of Mr. Kroyer until 1918, when the plant was sold to the General
Motors Corporation, and Mr. Williams became manager of the retail division,
having charge of the sales of trucks, tractors and agricultural implements,
with headquarters in Stockton. When the
sales department of the Star Motor Car was perfected, Mr. Williams severed his
connection with the General Motors Corporation and became the local agent for
the “Most Talked-of Car in America.” His
many years of contact with people in his home county has
given him a wide acquaintance, and his business integrity and personality
easily win friends.
The marriage of Mr. Williams united
him with Miss Emma Lambert, born in Stockton, a daughter of Fred Lambert, an
early settler in Stockton. In pioneer
times he conducted a shoe store at Chinese Camp, Tuolumne County, later moving
to Stockton, where he continued in business at the corner of Main and El Dorado
streets. He was a natural-born musician
and able to perform on almost any instrument, and he was leader of the Stockton
band. He owned the property where now
stands the City Bank, which he sold at a small figure and which is now one of
the most desirable business sites in the city.
Mr. and Mrs. Williams have one son, Errol, a student in the high school,
who inherits his maternal grandfather’s musical talent. Mr. Williams is a prominent Mason, holding
membership in San Joaquin Lodge, No. 19, F. & A. M.; Stockton Chapter, No.
28, R. A. M.; Stockton Council, No. 10; Stockton Commandery, No. 8, K. T.; and
Aahmes Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Oakland.
He is also a member of the Eastern Star Chapter. He belongs to the Odd Fellows, Charity Lodge
No. 6, the Rebekahs, the Stockton Lodge, No. 218, B. P. O. Elks, and Stockton
Parlor, No. 7, N. S. G. W.
Transcribed by Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: Tinkham, George
H., History of San Joaquin County, California , Page
614. Los Angeles, Calif.: Historic
Record Co., 1923.
© 2011 Gerald Iaquinta.
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