James Emory Williams

From findagrave.com:
Obituary
Boyds, MD. On Wednesday last, June 12th, at 9:10 A.M., Mr. James E. Williams, one of the oldest residents of Boyds, died at his home here, aged 83 years, five months and twenty-three days, following a stroke of paralysis January 24th of this year. Mr. Williams was born in Frederick county, Md., December 19th, 1934. In early life as a carpenter with his father Samuel Williams. In 1860, at the age of 26, he went into the mercantile business at Clarksburg, Md., and at the close of the Civil War he moved to Germantown and formed a partnership with Joshua Dorsey in the general merchandise business. After residing at Germantown a few years, he moved to Boyds, where he died. He located here in 1865, when Boyds was practically a wilderness of pines. The farm here he bought from Howard Clements cost him a average $13 per acre. While at Germantown he foresaw the coming of now Metropolitan Branch of the Baltimore and Ohio, which gave to that road its first direct outlet from Washington city to the West, and hence his purchase of property in this section. After moving here he again entered the mercantile business, with Colonel James Alexander Boyd, as a partner, and shortly after the dissolution of this partnership he formed a partnership with Mahlon T. Lewis, which continued until about twenty years ago, when Mr. Williams retired from active mercantile business, devoting his time to his large farming interest here. He was the first postmaster and railroad agent at Boyds, holding the two positions for twenty-odd years. He was a member of the board of directors of the Montgomery County National Bank of Rockville for many years, and served one term as School Commissioner for Montgomery county. During all Mr. Williams' life he has had the interest of the community at heart, building many homes here that form a greater part of the little village. He was a life-long member of the Presbyterian Church, and was one of the founders of the church established here in 1876. The land on which this edifice was built and also the railroad depot here was donated by him. No man was held in higher esteem than he, who willingly and cheerfully always did everything to help his fellow-man. The funeral services were held at his home, where a large throng from all sections of Montgomery and adjoining counties and from Washington attended. Rev. O.A. Gillingham, pastor of the Presbyterian Church here, conducted the services. The honorary pallbearers were the directors of the Montgomery County National Bank. The active Pallbearers were Messrs. James L. Higgins, Nathan Smith White, M. Eugene Wade, Basil Burdette, Charles A. Watkins and George Philip Smith Hoyle. Interment was in the Presbyterian cemetery at Boyds. Mr. Williams is survived by his widow, who was Miss Sarah Jane Burdette, of near Clarksburg, and five children: Mrs. Cora L. Williams Pollock, of Boyds; James B. Williams, agent for the Baltimore and Ohio at Washington Junction, Md.; Mrs. Benjamin H. Dutrow,* John W. Williams, former member of the Maryland Legislature, William M. Williams, of Boyds, and Mrs. Nathan Smith White.* *Lula B. Williams Dutrow, Florence May Williams White. J. W. W.
Published in Montgomery Sentinel, 18 June 1918

A historic house (William Williams House) may be built by him, where James had lived. Further information and a photo of the house can be found at Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties website. The house is STILL located at :
19900 White Ground Road
Boyds, Maryland