William John Babcock Williams was born 1866 in Holland Patent, NY to John G. and Frances Williams. His father was a respected professor. His mother was a teacher and a true daughter of Daughters of the American Revolution.
William was interested in collecting eggs at a young age. At age 19, he became a member of the American Ornithologist’s Union as an Oologist, Ornithologist and observer for the society. William was a member of the Young Men’s Christian Association in 1892. At age 28 in 1894 he became a lawyer in Utica. He is listed in the 1898 Naturalist Directory as specializing in “Ornithology, Oology, has a collection and is interested in exchanges.” However, the last entries in his record book were exchanges in 1898 with collector F.C. Willard.
William had many interests throughout his lifetime besides birds, egg collecting and being a lawyer. He was involved with the Poultry & Pet Stock Association and he and his father were poultry dealers. They also formed a tree company taking care of the trees in Utica, NY. William was active in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, president of the Utica Stamp Club and a member of the Philatelic Society (stamp collecting).
William died in 1934 in Whitestown, NY at the age of 68.
Sources: Ancestry, Find a Grave, NYS Historic Newspapers
