Rush Medical College of Chicago has sent several of its alumni to Racine and in the field of active practice they have won success and by their careers have conferred honor upon their alma mater. Such is the record of Dr. A. J. Williams, who, since 1900, has practiced continuously in Racine. He is a native son of this city born November 18, 1872, his parents being Thomas R. and Eliza (Williams) Williams, the former a native of Wales and the latter of Racine. She was a daughter of William J. Williams, who was also born in the little rock-ribbed country of Wales and who, on coming to Racine as one of its pioneer settlers, established a grocery and dry goods store and was connected with its mercantile interests for a number of years. Thomas R. Williams figured in railway circles, being for many years an employee of the St. Paul Railway Company. He died in the year 1911. while his widow still survives.
Their son, Dr. Williams, after mastering the branches of learning taught in the public schools and in the Racine College grammar school became a student in Trinity College at Hartford, Connecticut, where he was graduated in 1896 with the Bachelor of Science degree while later the Master of Science degree was conferred upon him. For two years he engaged in teaching in Mrs. McMynn’s Ladies Academy in Racine and subsequently he was instructor in mathematics in Catherton’s Business College of Racine. He regarded all this, however, merely as a preliminary step to other professional labor for he became imbued with the determination to enter upon the active practice of medicine and in carrying out that purpose attended the Rush Medical College of Chicago, from which he was graduated with the class of 1900. He then came to Racine where he has since practiced and his ability has brought him to the front in professional circles. He served as city physician for two years and was also a member of the board of health for several years.
On the 18th of November, 1906, Dr. Williams was married to Miss Ruth M. Boyce, of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, and they have two children, Catherine and Boyce. Dr. Williams belongs to the Masonic fraternity in which he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He became a charter member of the fraternal order of Eagles, at Racine, was the first president of the aerie following its organization in 1912 and is now physician of the order, in which he has been most active. He likewise belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and he has membership in the Phi Beta Kappa, a college fraternity. His political allegiance is always given to the Republican Party but he has never sought nor held office outside the strict path of his profession. Be regards the pursuits of private life as in themselves abundantly worthy of his best efforts and his professional service is performed with a thoroughness and care that has given him rank among the ablest physicians of the city.