"Ephraim Smith Williams of Flint, was born in Concord, Massachusetts, February 2, 1802. His parents were Oliver and Mary (Lee) Williams. His father was a prominent merchant in Detroit, before and during the War of 1812. Mr. E. S. Williams is the fourth among fourteen children, seven of whom are living, and nine of whom settled in Michigan. The family removed to that State in 1815, going from Concord, Massachusetts, to Buffalo, New York, in a wagon. The latter city had just been burned by the British. After much delay, they embarked in a small schooner, and, in nine days, arrived in Detroit. The father here found that his business and property had been involved in the general destruction that laid waste the frontier, the most that he saved being his residence on Jefferson avenue, where the Webster Block now stands. This the family occupied until March, 1819, when they settled in Oakland County, near Pontiac. In the spring of 1828, E. S. Williams, with his brother, Gardner D. Williams, engaged in the fur trade in Saginaw City, under the auspices of the American Fur Company. There he remained twelve years. The two brothers built, during this period, the first sawmill in Saginaw Valley. The entire region between Grand Blanc and Saginaw--a distance of fifty miles--was uninhabited, save by savages. Where now are carriage roads and railroads, were then but Indian trails; and the pioneers encountered many hardships and dangers. They usually traveled in companies, of a dozen or more, for mutual protection and assistance; and, when swamps or fallen timber, impassable for ponies, were encountered, the animals were sent around, and the men carried their wives and children over on their backs. "Our oldest children, Mary and Oliver," writes Mr. Williams "had only Indian children for playmates, and the Chiefs gave them Indian names, in token of their friendship. The Indian wives and daughters would take them to the pay-grounds, where, by direction of the Chiefs, they would draw their share of money with the Indian children."
During his residence in Saginaw City, Mr. Williams was elected County Clerk and Register of Deeds, and prepared the first Circuit Court record of that county. He was also appointed Postmaster, by President Jackson, and held that position until 1840. In that year, he removed to Pontiac, where he carried on mercantile business and farming. In 1850 he again removed to Flint, engaged in the grocery and crockery business, and built the first brick block in the city. Upon the election of Franklin Pierce. Mr. Williams was appointed Postmaster of Flint, and retained his office eight years. The "Genesee Democrat" testifies to his efficiency in the above-named office, as follows: "We do not expect easily to fill the place of the accommodating, gentlemanly, and efficient occupant, E. S. Williams, Esq., who will vacate the office, taking with him the best wishes of all our citizens." In 1861 he was elected Mayor of the city of Flint. One of the Flint papers of that time contains the following with reference to this event: "The friends of Colonel E. S. Williams will be pleased to learn that the Democracy of Flint, in the face of a heavy Republican majority, and against one of the best men, have elected him Mayor of that city,--an honorable position, conferred upon an honorable man."
The numerous offices of trust reposed in Mr. Williams by the people in the different places in which he has lived, fully attest the high estimation placed upon his labors. While faithfully fulfilling these duties, he was promoting the best interests of his town, and building up a name which will be held in grateful remembrance long after he has passed away. Mr. Williams is tall, and still powerful, though seventy-six years of age. His clear eye, ruddy complexion, erect form, and vigorous step show little or no trace of the many years of care and hardship through which he has passed, and promise ease and usefulness in those to come."

(from "American Biographical History of Eminent and Self-Made Men with Portrait Illustrations on Steel, Volumes I-II" (1878), pp.91-92 [excerpts])

Ephraim's wife was Hannah Melissa Gotee, who he married in 1825. The "Detroit Gazette" of 18 Mar 1825 says:

"At Oakland on the 13th inst by Sidney Dole,
Esq, Mr. EPHRAIM S. WILLIAMS, to Miss. HAN-
NAH M. GOTEE"

They had seven children, 4 girls and 3 boys. One girl, Eliza, died in infancy at about a year old.

Their children were:
1. Mary Abigail, b.1826 (Mrs. Walker)
2. Oliver Harvey, b.1830
3. Julia Ann, b.1833 (Mrs. Hascall)
4. Ephraim Schuyler, b.1835
5. Elias Gotee, b.1838
6. Eliza Melissa, b.1841-d.1842 (infant)
7. Jenny Maria, b.1844.

Ephraim was an accomplished chronicler of his time and is responsible for a considerable number of entries in various volumes of the "Michigan Pioneer & Historical Society Collections" which serve as accurate portrayals of the pioneer life and times of early Michigan.