James Miller Williams | The Canadian Encyclopedia

Article

James Miller Williams

Article by Edward Phelps

Published Online June 4, 2008

Last Edited December 15, 2013

James Miller Williams, manufacturer, politician (b at Camden, NJ 14 Sept 1818; d at Hamilton, Ont 25 Nov 1890). Immigrating to Canada in 1840, he was a successful carriage and railway-car builder at London, Ont, and Hamilton.

James Miller Williams

James Miller Williams, manufacturer, politician (b at Camden, NJ 14 Sept 1818; d at Hamilton, Ont 25 Nov 1890). Immigrating to Canada in 1840, he was a successful carriage and railway-car builder at London, Ont, and Hamilton. Engaged in oil production and refining in Lambton County after 1857, Williams is considered the father of the oil industry in Canada. Claims that Williams drilled the first oil well in N America are shared with E.L. Drake of Pennsylvania. He was a member of the Ontario Legislature 1867-79 and registrar of Wentworth County 1879-90.

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