Captain Edward Williams

Captain Edward Williams, who has been in command of the Lawrence since March, 1897, is one of the younger masters on the Great Lakes, but he well deserves the confidence reposed in him by his employers all the more because he is a self-made man, having risen to his present responsible position by efficient and faithful service in the humbler capacities on board ship.

Mr. Williams is a native of Michigan, born in Quincy, November 15, 1871, and is a son of Robert Williams, who is a blacksmith by occupation. The father was born in Conneaut, Penn., and located in Michigan many years ago, and in 1879 removed from Quincy to St. Joseph. Edward received his education in the public schools of Onekama, Mich., which he attended until he was sixteen or seventeen years of age, but the greater part of his education has been acquired by reading and in the school of practical experience. He commenced sailing as cook on small schooners, and worked on that class of boats for seven years, during which time he advanced steadily until he became mate. Following this he went on the Petoskey as watchman for one season, and the succeeding season he served on the same boat as wheelsman. His next berth was on the John D. Dewar, running between Frankfort and Manistee, which he commanded for a season of ten months, and on leaving her he became second mate of the P.J. Ralph, of St. Clair, remaining with that boat all of one season and part of another. He now returned to the Petoskey, on which he acted as mate for one year, and in March, 1897, he became captain of the Lawrence, in which position he has since been retained.

Captain Williams has been remarkably fortunate during his experience on the water, and he is regarded as a thoroughly reliable man by all who know him. He is a member of the Ship Masters Association No. 6, of Milwaukee, Wis., and carries Pennant No. 1044. Fraternally he unites with Frankfort Lodge No. 173, K. of P.

On March 15, 1898, Captain Williams was married to Miss Addie V. Smith, of Frankfort.

Return to Home Port

Volume I

This version of Volume II is based, with permission, on the work of the great volunteers at the Marine Captains Biographies site. To them goes the credit for reorganizing the content into some coherent order. The biographies in the original volume are in essentially random order.

Some of the transcription work was also done by Brendon Baillod, who maintains an excellent guide to Great Lakes Shipwreck Research.