Lincoln Philip Williams, county auditor of Sacramento county, is a native son of the Golden state, and a man of self-acquired success that deserves the highest praise. He has been a hard worker since he was thirteen years of age, and each step of progress has been made possible by his own previous attention to business and careful direction of his resources to the best interests of those whom he served. While his best efforts have been given to his business affairs, he has shown commendable interest in public enterprises, and his election to his present responsible office is the result of the high regard in which he is held by his many friends and fellow-citizens.

Mr. Williams was born in San Francisco, April 7, 1865, a son of F. O. A. and Fannie (Timmins) Williams, the former a native of Canada and the latter of Ireland. His father came to California in 1860, and was a compositor and foreman on the Examiner until his death, which occurred in 1874, when the boy Lincoln was but nine years of age. The latter's mother survived her husband until 1903. There were six children in the family, but the three daughters are all dead. Edward W., ex-clerk of the San Francisco justice court, is now with James A. Snook and Company, merchants of San Francisco; and Richard is employed by the Alaska Canning Company.

Lincoln P. Williams was educated in the public schools and the Sacred Heart College at San Francisco. When thirteen years old he began learning the trade of bookbinding with Richard J. Whelan, formerly sheriff of San Francisco county, and remained with him for four years. In 1882 he began work for Bartling & Phillips in the same business, and remained with them until he came to Sacramento in 1888. In Sacramento he became assistant foreman in the state bindery under A. J. Johnston. In 1897 he was promoted to the position of foreman, and remained in that capacity until 1902. When the offices of recorder and auditor were separated in the latter year, he became a candidate on the Republican ticket for the latter office, and was elected for a term of four years, being the present popular and efficient incumbent.

Mr. Williams has done his share of political work in the interests of the Republican party, and was a member of the county central committee in 1898-1902. He has belonged to the bookbinders' union since 1887. He was married in San Francisco, April 21, 1891, to Miss Ollie C. Smith, a native of Sacramento and a daughter of a well-known California pioneer. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have lost their only child, a daughter.

Source: History of the New California Its Resources and People, Volume I

The Lewis Publishing Company - 1905
Edited by Leigh H. Irvine