Nelson Monroe Williams was born near St. Paris, Champaign County, Ohio, on 23 March 1853. He was the oldest child in a family of six children born to George and Margaret McKin1ey Wi11iams. He was educated in the common and graded schools in Champaign and Miami Counties, qualified for teaching at the age of 18 years. He taught in the rural schools in 1872, 1873 and in the spring of 1874. Determined to enter the legal profession, he moved to Hamilton, Ohio on March 9, 1874, where he entered the law office of his uncle, Israel Williams. He was an apt pupil, and after reading law for two years, he was admitted to the practice on April 25, 1876, and continued in the office of his uncle for four years thereafter, when he opened an office for himself and continued in the practice until his death.
Early in his career he veered to Probate Court practice, to the settlement of estates, the examination of titles and an extensive broad office practice. At the time of his death, he was senior partner in Hamilton Ohio’s outstanding law firm, Williams, Fitton and Pierce. He was a life-long and ardent Republican, contributing liberally to Trinity Episcopal Church of Hamilton, and to numerous other charitable institutions.
On October 32, 1880, he was married to Miss Susannah Mallory, daughter of one of Hamilton Ohio’s leading physicians.
The record of Nelson Williams’ life as a Freemason is one of unequalled accomplishment and distinction. His sincere devotion to all things Masonic rightly warranted the high honors bestowed upon him by the Subordinate and Grand bodies of the Fraternity. That he was ever an advocate of friendship, in all that the name implies, is evidenced in his published book of poems, entitled “Thoughts Expressed in Rhyme.” This volume contains many poetical gems reflecting the author’s love of God and his fellowmen.
He received his Entered Apprentice Degree on February 9, 1887, the Fellow Craft Degree on May 3, 1887 and the Master Mason Degree on June 6, 1887, all in Washington Lodge No. 17, F. & A.M., at Hamilton, Ohio. He was elected Senior Warden of said Lodge on December 3, 1888, and Worshipful Master on December 2, 1889, serving two years as Master.
In the Grand Lodge of Ohio he was appointed Grand Orator on October 20, 1892, and re-appointed on October 19, 1893. He was elected Senior Grand Warden on October 25, 1895, Deputy Grand Master on October 22, 1986 and Grand Master on October 21, 1897, serving one year. He was appointed a Trustee of the Ohio Masonic Home on March 22, 1899, and continued as such until the time of his death. For many years he served as Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Masonic Home Board of Trustees. For eight years he was the Foreign Correspondent of the Grand Lodge, and for many years he served as a member of the Committee on Jurisprudence in the Grand Lodge.
He received the Chapter degrees in Hamilton Chapter No. 21, R. A. M., on June 11, 1888 and on September 25, 1902 he was elected Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Ohio. He received the Royal and Select Master degrees in Hamilton Council No. 19, R. & S. M., Hamilton, Ohio, on August 20, 1888. In the Grand Council of Ohio, he was elected Most Illustrious Master on October 4, 1904, serving one year. He was honored with election to the office of General Grand Master of the General Grand Council of the United States at the Triennial Assembly held in St. Louis, Missouri on October 5, 1936.
He received the Order of the Temple in Hamilton Commandery No. 41, Knights Templar at Hamilton, Ohio, on November 26, 1888. He was elevated to the office of Right Eminent Grand Commander on October 15, 1914. Brother Williams received the Lodge, Council and Chapter degrees in the Valley of Dayton, and the Consistory degrees at Cincinnati, in the year 1890. He was crowned a 33-degree Mason in Philadelphia on September 19, 1899.
He received the Royal Order of Scotland in the City of Pittsburgh on September 18, 1896, retaining his membership until his death. He became a member of Syrian Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Cincinnati.
Most Worshipful Brother Williams passed away at Ft. Hamilton Hospital, Hamilton, Ohio, on February 11, 1944 following an illness of over a year as the result of a fall in his home. Services were conducted on Monday, February, 14, 1944 at 4:00 p.m. by the Grand Lodge F. & A.M. of Ohio, with Most Worshipful Brother Harry S. Johnson, Past Grand Master and Grand Secretary, presiding. Interment was in Greenwood Cemetery, Hamilton, Ohio.