WILLIAMS, Abram Pease, senator, born near Portland, Maine, 3 February, 1832. He attended academies in North Anson and Farmington, Maine, removed to California in 1858, and, after engaging in mining, became a merchant at Mono Lake, but the Indians destroyed his property, and in 1861 he went to San Francisco, where he has since engaged in commerce. He has also devoted some time to agriculture and sheep-raising. Mr. Williams was the founder of the San Francisco board of trade, and for two years its president, and was first vice-president of the chamber of commerce of that city. In 1884-'8 he was chairman of the Republican state central committee. On 4 August, 1886, he was elected United States senator to fill the unexpired term of John F. Miller, deceased, succeeding George Hearst, who had been appointed by the governor. Mr. Williams served till 3 March, 1887, and was in turn succeeded by Mr. Hearst.