Harry Palmerston Williams

Harry Palmerston Williams (October 6, 1889 – May 19, 1936) was a Louisiana businessman and co-owner of the Wedell-Williams Air Service Corporation that dominated air racing in the United States during the so-called Golden Age of Aviation. Early years Williams was born on October 6, 1889, in Patterson, Louisiana to Francis Bennett Williams and Emily Williamson Seyburn. His father was a prominent Louisiana industrialist and civic leader. Williams was educated at Lawrenceville Academy, Lawrenceville, New Jersey and at the University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee. In 1906, like his brothers, he entered his father's lumber business, initially operating a dredge in south Louisiana swamps for $50 a month. In World War I, he served as a lieutenant in the Engineers Corps. After the war, Williams became active in politics, becoming the Mayor of Patterson, as well as serving as the president of police jury in St. Mary Parish and state highway commissioner. Business career Williams' was president of the Patterson State Bank, director of the St. Bernard Cypress Co., and treasurer of the Franklin and Abbeville Railway Co. He also served as a director of the Williams, Inc. and F. B. Williams Cypress Co. enterprises which had large holdings in real estate (sugar plantations), industrial ventures such as lumber (the lumber yard was one of the largest in the world), oil and mineral leases.