Clark Williams
Encyclopedia
Myron Clark Williams was an American banker and politician.
). He was educated at Canandaigua Academy, and graduated from Williams College
in 1892, as a member of The Kappa Alpha Society
. He later served for many years as a Trustee of Williams. After graduation he became a clerk at the First National Bank in New York City
, then at the New York Guarantee and Indemnity Company, and later at the United States Mortgage and Trust Company of which he became Vice President. On April 29, 1897, he married Anna Murphy Plater in Nashville, Tennessee
, a portrait of whom by the Swiss-born American artist Adolfo Müller-Ury
is in the Williams College Faculty Club/Alumni Center, Williamstown.
In 1905, he left US Mortgage & Trust to co-organize the Columbia Trust Company of which he became Vice President. On October 23, 1907, he was appointed by Governor Charles E. Hughes Superintendent of Banks
. In November 1909, he was appointed New York State Comptroller
to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Charles H. Gaus
, and remained in office until the end of 1910. Afterwards he became President of the Windsor Trust Company and then of the Industrial Finance Corporation.
He served as a Red Cross representative with the First American Infantry Division in World War I
. He was in the field at the Battles of Cantigny
and Château-Thierry
. Later he was Field Director of the Bureau of Army Field Service, in charge of all Red Cross service during the Argonnes Campaign. He finished the war with the rank of major
, and in 1922, he was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross
for his services.
Mary Clark Thompson
was his aunt.
Life
He was the son of George N. Williams, a banker, and Abigail (Clark) Williams (daughter of Governor Myron H. ClarkMyron H. Clark
Myron Holley Clark was an American politician from the U.S. state of New York.- Biography :Clark was born in Naples, Ontario County, New York on October 23, 1806...
). He was educated at Canandaigua Academy, and graduated from Williams College
Williams College
Williams College is a private liberal arts college located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, United States. It was established in 1793 with funds from the estate of Ephraim Williams. Originally a men's college, Williams became co-educational in 1970. Fraternities were also phased out during this...
in 1892, as a member of The Kappa Alpha Society
Kappa Alpha Society
The Kappa Alpha Society , founded in 1825, was the progenitor of the modern fraternity system in North America. It was the first of the fraternities which would eventually become known as the Union Triad...
. He later served for many years as a Trustee of Williams. After graduation he became a clerk at the First National Bank in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, then at the New York Guarantee and Indemnity Company, and later at the United States Mortgage and Trust Company of which he became Vice President. On April 29, 1897, he married Anna Murphy Plater in Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
, a portrait of whom by the Swiss-born American artist Adolfo Müller-Ury
Adolfo Müller-Ury
Adolfo Muller-Ury was a Swiss-born American portrait painter and impressionistic painter of roses and still life.-Heritage and early life in Switzerland:...
is in the Williams College Faculty Club/Alumni Center, Williamstown.
In 1905, he left US Mortgage & Trust to co-organize the Columbia Trust Company of which he became Vice President. On October 23, 1907, he was appointed by Governor Charles E. Hughes Superintendent of Banks
New York State Banking Department
The New York State Banking Department was created by the New York Legislature on April 15, 1851, with a chief officer to be known as the Superintendent...
. In November 1909, he was appointed New York State Comptroller
New York State Comptroller
The New York State Comptroller is a state cabinet officer of the U.S. state of New York. The duties of the comptroller include auditing government operations and operating the state's retirement system.-History:...
to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Charles H. Gaus
Charles H. Gaus
Charles Henry Gaus was an American businessman and politician.-Life:...
, and remained in office until the end of 1910. Afterwards he became President of the Windsor Trust Company and then of the Industrial Finance Corporation.
He served as a Red Cross representative with the First American Infantry Division in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. He was in the field at the Battles of Cantigny
Battle of Cantigny
The Battle of Cantigny, fought on 28 May 1918 was the first American offensive of World War I. The U.S. 1st Division, the most experienced of the seven American divisions then in France and in reserve for the French Army near the village of Cantigny, was selected for the attack...
and Château-Thierry
Battle of Château-Thierry (1918)
The Battle of Château-Thierry was fought on 18 July 1918 and was one of the first actions of the American Expeditionary Force under General John J. "Black Jack" Pershing...
. Later he was Field Director of the Bureau of Army Field Service, in charge of all Red Cross service during the Argonnes Campaign. He finished the war with the rank of major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
, and in 1922, he was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross
Conspicuous Service Cross (New York)
The Conspicuous Service Cross is a decoration for military service awarded by the State of New York to members of the military who have also been awarded any of the following by the United States:...
for his services.
Mary Clark Thompson
Mary Clark Thompson
Mary Clark Thompson , born Mary Lee Clark, was a noted philanthropist and wife of banker Frederick Ferris Thompson.-Early years:Mary Lee Clark was born in Naples, New York in 1835 to Myron Holley and Zilpha Watkins Clark...
was his aunt.
Sources
- http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9A01E0DC1230E333A25753C3A9629C94669ED7CF His marriage, in NYT on April 30, 1897
- http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=980CE7D71F30E233A25757C2A9669D946697D6CF His appointment as Bank Superintendent, in NYT on October 24, 1907
- http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9903E4D6123EE733A25751C1A9679D946897D6CF His appointment as Comptroller, in NYT on November 12, 1909
- http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9401EFD61439E333A25755C1A9609C946096D6CF Assumes presidency of Windsor Trust, in NYT on June 16, 1911
- http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9403E7D6153AEF33A25750C0A9649D946395D6CF The Conspicuous Service Cross awarded, in NYT on December 3, 1922
- The Political Graveyard: Index to Politicians: Williams, C to D at politicalgraveyard.com Political Graveyard
- News Canandaigua 1946 at www.usgennet.org His will filed, transcribed from Ontario County Times Journal of January 2, 1948, at usgennet