WILLIAMS, James Douglas, governor of Indiana, born in Pickaway county, Ohio, 16 January, 1808; died in Indianapolis, Indiana, 20 November, 1880. His parents were emigrants from Europe, and moved with him to Knox county, Indiana, in 1818, and at the death of his father in 1828 the support of the fan> fly devolved on him. James was almost entirely self-taught. In 1843 he became a member of the legislature, and from that time till 1874 sat almost continuously in this body, either in the house of representatives or in the senate. He was a delegate to the National Democratic convention at Baltimore in 1872, was the Democratic nominee for United States senator from Indiana in 1873 against Oliver P. Morton, who was elected, and was then chosen to congress, serving from 6 December, 1875, till 1 December, 1876, when he resigned, having been elected governor of his state. He held this office till his death. Governor Williams was a farmer, and his foremost object was the development of the agricultural interests of his state, he was one of the incorporators and president of the state board of agriculture, originated many of the laws that have perfected school and college facilities in Indiana, and was instrumental in establishing as law the right of widows in that state to hold their deceased husband's estates, when not in excess of $300, without administration. He was a man of the strictest integrity, plain and simple in his manner and attire, and was known as Blue-Jeans Williams, owing to his wearing trousers of that material.