1840-1844 Judge, Probate Court of Wayne County
1842 - Judge, Recorders Court
1843-1848 Editor, 'Detroit Advertiser'
Captain, Brady Guard (Detroit militia)
1847-1848 Lt. Colonel, 1st Michigan Infantry Volunteers
1861-1866 Brig. General/Commander of Instruction Camp, Fort Wayne.
1866-1869 U.S. Minister, El Salvadore
1874-1878 U.S. Congressman
Education
1831 - Graduated Yale University with law degree
Notes
Williams graduated from Yale University in 1831, where he studied Law. Arriving in Michigan in 1837, he opened his law office. Two years after opening, William made Probate Judge of Wayne County in 1839. William later made Judge of Recorders Court in 1842.
His military career started as the Captain of the Brady Guards (Detroit Militia). After the Mexican War he was mustered into the federal service as Lt. Colonel of the 1st Michigan Infantry Volunteers. He served from December 8, 1847 until July 29, 1848. William resumed practicing law soon after returning from his military service.
During his career served as Postmaster of Detroit. During the Civil War, Governor Blair put Williams in Command of instruction camp at Fort Wayne and given the rank of Brig. General.
Alpheus Williams passed away on November 28, 1878 in Washington, D.C. while serving in Congress.
A statue of Williams on horseback by sculptor Henry Shrady is located on Belle Isle at the intersection of Central and Inselruhe.
Occupation
Judge
Politician
Military leader
Publications
From the Cannon's Mouth: The Civil War Letters of General Alpheus S. Williams. (Detroit: Wayne State University Press and the Detroit Historical Society, 1959)
