John Albert Williams
| John Albert Williams | |
|---|---|
| Born |
February 28, 1866 London, Ontario, Canada |
| Died | February 4, 1933 (aged 66) Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Seabury Divinity School |
| Occupation | Minister, Journalist |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Lucinda Gambel |
John Albert Williams (February 28, 1866 – February 4, 1933) was a minister, journalist, and political activist in Omaha, Nebraska. He was born to an escaped slave and spoke from the pulpit and the newspapers on issues of civil rights, equality, and racial harmony. He was a highly respected minister, journalist, and civic leader. He serve on many committees and boards among Omaha's black community and in the Omaha and Nebraska Episcopal Church.
John Albert Williams was born February 28, 1866, in London, Ontario to Adaline née D'Or and Henry Williams. Henry was a Virginia slave who escaped along the underground railroad to London, and Adaline was of French-Canadian and black heritage. He was one of nine children. When John Albert was 11 his family came to Detroit, where he attended Sunday school held by the Father Worthington, who would later be Omaha's Bishop Worthington. He was a boyhood friend of actor Richard B. Harrison, a relationship which would continue throughout their lives. On Worthington's recommendation, he attended Seabury Divinity School in Faribault, Minnesota, graduating on June 3, 1891.
On the morning of Thursday, June 27, 1901, Williams married Lucinda Gamble, daughter of William R. Gamble. Lucy was the first African-American teacher in the Omaha Public Schools, teaching there for six years from 1899 through 1905. He had one son, Worthington (named for the bishop), and two daughters, Catherine and Dorothy E. Dorothy was the first black graduate of the University of Nebraska-Omaha on June 5, 1924.
William's mother died June 18, 1910, of heart failure. In 1929 Williams suffered a minor stroke, and on February 1, 1933, Williams suffered a heart attack, perhaps brought on by the jar when he stepped into a hole in the pavement. He died Saturday afternoon, February 4, 1933. Bishop Shayler of Omaha said service at Trinity Cathedral, and he was buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery.
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