Biography:

Dr. James Patterson “Franklin” Williams was born on the 12th March, 1877 near Esquesing Township in Halton County.  Dr. Williams was the 2nd of 3 children born to Darius Williams and the former Augusta “Phoebe” Hutton.  His father was a buyer of woollen goods and eventually he became a manufacturer of woollen goods.  Dr. Williams’ siblings were Violet Alberta Williams and Charles Lyle Williams.  Dr. Williams graduated from High School in Georgetown 1896.

He attended The University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine and graduated in 1900.  After graduation he began the practice of medicine in Dresden.  Dr. Williams joined the medical practice of Dr. Daniel Galbraith on St. George Street.  From publications it appears that Dr. Williams specialized in midwifery and diseases associated with women and children.

Dr. Williams married Mary Belle Galbraith on the 26th of June, 1901.  Mrs. Williams was born in Dresden on the 16th of October, 1874, the daughter of Dr. Daniel Galbraith and the former Lavinia DeCow.  She had an older sister named Annie Christina Galbraith who drowned when she was 13 years old.   Mrs. Williams also had a younger brother named Daniel Royden Galbraith who died of dysentary before he was a year old.

Dr. and Mrs. Williams lived on Hughes Street in Dresden.  They had a son, Charles Daniel “Galbraith” Williams born on the 21st of May, 1905.

Dr. Williams became the Grand Master of the I.O.O.F. while in Dresden.

Mrs. Williams’ father, Dr. Daniel Galbraith died on the 20th of December, 1916 in Dresden.  In 1919 Dr. Williams moved his family and his medical practice to Toronto.  His mother-in-law, Lavinia Galbraith moved with them and they all lived at 550 Palmerston Blvd.  (Mrs. Galbraith died on the 10th of July, 1927).

Dr. Williams’ wife Mary Belle died at their residence on Palmerston Blvd on the 6th of September, 1938.  She was buried at Prospect Cemetery in Toronto.

After the death of his wife, Dr. Williams married Ethel “Eileen” McClure in Toronto. Mrs. Williams was born on the 11th of June, 1903 in York County, Ontario.  She was 2nd of 3 children born to John Alex McClure and the former Clara Albertha Dickson.  Her father was a merchant and her siblings were; Bradford McClure and Clara “Isobel” McClure.  In 1910, the McClure family lived at 502 Markham Street in Toronto.

Dr. and Mrs. Williams did not have any children.

Dr. Williams was a candidate in the 1943 and the 1945 provincial elections but he was unsuccessful.

Dr. Williams died on the 7th of February, 1954.   His wife Ethel Eileen Williams died on the 7th of June, 1990.   Dr. and Mrs. Williams were buried at Prospect Cemetery.

*Dr. William’s son Dr. Charles Daniel “Galbraith” Williams practiced medicine in Toronto.  He died on the 18th of March, 1974.  He and his wife Dorothy are also buried at Prospect Cemetery in Toronto.

*Dr. Williams’ father-in-law, Dr. Daniel Galbraith also appears on the Chatham-Kent Physician Tribute website.