Robert E. Williams was born November 2, 1836, in North Wales. He was educated in the schools of his native land. The call of America rang loud in the ears of the youth of nineteen arid he set out for the land of opportunity. In 1855 he located in York County, Pennsylvania, and two years later came to Catasauqua. His first work was with the Crane Iron Company for whom he ran a blast furnace.

Six years after coming to America Mr. Williams answered Lincoln's call for volunteers. His inherent patriotism went out to the new land and he was among the first to offer his life, if need be, to preserve her during those crucial days. On April 3, 1861, he was mustered into Company D of the Ninth Regiment under Captain Hand of Allentown, Pa. His regiment was engaged at Martinsburg, Harper's Ferry and Harrisonburg, and at these places he proved himself a brave soldier. Upon the expiration of three months, the period for which he had enlisted, again offering his services to the nation, he was mustered into Company C of the Forty-sixth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He served with this Regiment in all its engagements, including the Battle of Winchester, until he was wounded in the battle of Cedar Mountain. A bullet passed through his body and he lay on the battlefield for forty-eight hours before medical aid could be given him. After this experience he was cared for in Culpepper Court house for two days and then was taken to a hospital in Alexandria, Virginia. Three months later he was able to leave and in November 1862, was mustered out of service. The effects of the wound and the delay in its care kept him in ill health for almost ten years.

In 1864 the Catasauqua & Fogelsville Railroad made him a weigh-master. After nine months in this position he was transferred to the general office at Catasauqua, where he was chief clerk. Soon after he was made general freight agent and cashier. When the railroad was sold to the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company in 1890, the general freight agency in Catasauqua was discontinued. After nearly thirty years with the Catasauqua & Fogelsville Railroad, he became, in 1891, head bookkeeper for the firm of Davies & Thomas. He was a stockholder in the National Bank of Cataaauqua.

In 1864 he married Miss Maggie Price, daughter of David Price of Millersville, Pennsylvania. To the family circle was added an adopted daughter, Cora B. (Williams) Wade, who for some years taught in the Catasauqua public schools and, at the present time, resides in East Orange, New Jersey. He died February 18, 1903.

Mr. Williams was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Catasauqua and became an Elder. His political convictions were Republican, and he acted as Burgess for two terms, his first election having been in 1885. He was a Past Master of Porter Lodge, No. 284, F. and A. M.; Past Grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows No. 269; Allen Commandery No. 20, K. T.; the Allen Council No. 23, R. & S. M. at Allentown; and Past Commander of Fuller Post No. 378, G. A. R.