From "The Men of the Times" by J. C. Clarington, 1902.

Born in Burke County, North Carolina, December 19, 1820. Was twice married, first to Louisa A. Wightman, in 1843, sister of Bishop William M. Wightman. His second wife was Martha F. Porter, a daughter of John W. B. Porter, of whom he married in Madison, Georgia on November 4, 1856. Having previously been favorably impressed with Charleston, he visited that city in 1852 and established the wholesale grocery house of Geo. W. Williams & Company. He was elected a director in the State Bank of Georgia in Augusta, at the age of twenty-three. Just in the prime of manhood, and at the breaking out of the war between the States, Mr. Williams was at the head of two of the largest commercial houses in the South, an alderman of the city of Charleston and chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means, which position he held during the entire war. He was appointed by the State Legislature during the war to procure food for the soldiers' families, and the poor of Charleston. He at once adopted measures to enable his personal supervision, without charging for his services, or rent for the buildings occupied. It was not Mr. Williams'intention at the close of the war to again engage in the mercantile business, but to establish a bank. Before accomplishing this however, he was urged by friends and customers to return to his old business, and was the first house to resume business in Charleston after the war. He also opened a banking house, and in short time was fully immersed in business.

From "The Men of the Times" by J. C. Clarington, 1902.

Born in Burke County, North Carolina, December 19, 1820. Was twice married, first to Louisa A. Wightman, in 1843, sister of Bishop William M. Wightman. His second wife was Martha F. Porter, a daughter of John W. B. Porter, of whom he married in Madison, Georgia on November 4, 1856. Having previously been favorably impressed with Charleston, he visited that city in 1852 and established the wholesale grocery house of Geo. W. Williams & Company. He was elected a director in the State Bank of Georgia in Augusta, at the age of twenty-three. Just in the prime of manhood, and at the breaking out of the war between the States, Mr. Williams was at the head of two of the largest commercial houses in the South, an alderman of the city of Charleston and chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means, which position he held during the entire war. He was appointed by the State Legislature during the war to procure food for the soldiers' families, and the poor of Charleston. He at once adopted measures to enable his personal supervision, without charging for his services, or rent for the buildings occupied. It was not Mr. Williams'intention at the close of the war to again engage in the mercantile business, but to establish a bank. Before accomplishing this however, he was urged by friends and customers to return to his old business, and was the first house to resume business in Charleston after the war. He also opened a banking house, and in short time was fully immersed in business.