James Alexander Williamson (February 8, 1829 - September 7, 1902) was an American politician, military officer, and lawyer active in the mid to late 19th century. Williamson was born in Columbia, Kentucky. At 15, his family relocated to Iowa, where he worked as a farmer while studying law, eventually taking the Iowa bar. He served as the chairman of the Iowa State Democratic Committee until the outbreak of the American Civil War (1861 - 1865), when he volunteered for the 4th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Williamson acquitted himself well in numerous battles, quickly rising through the ranks. On December 19, 1864, he received a brevet promotion to brigadier general of U.S. Volunteers, on January 13, 1865, a full promotion to brigadier general and on March 13, 1865, a brevet promotion to major general of volunteers. After the Civil War, he resumed his law practice in Iowa, but in 1876 accepted a position as Commissioner of the United States General Land Office, which he held until 1881. Perhaps through GLO connections, he afterwards became president of the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad.



Out of Stock Maps