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Platt Williams was born in the town of Huntington, Suffolk county, New York, on the 19th day of September, 1784. He entered Williams College and graduated with the class of 1804. Among his classmates were Victory Birdsey, Luther Bradish, and Nathan Hale, who have occupied distinguished judicial, political and literary positions. Immediately after receiving his collegiate degree he came to Albany and began the study of medicine with Dr. Elias Willard, who at that time was one of the most prominent physicians in the city. During the years 1806, 1807, and 1808 he prosecuted his studies at the Columbia in the city of New York, and subsequently at the College of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Williams's preparatory studies were long and severe, and he came into the profession a well read student. He commenced the practice of medicine in June, 1810.
In 1812, Dr. Williams received from the Governor Daniel D. Tompkins, the appointment as Surgeon of the Second Regiment of Riflemen; war at that time existing between England and our own Government. A part of this regiment was detailed for service on the Niagara frontiers, and six companies were sent to Pittsburgh with an assistant Surgeon.
After the close of the war, Dr. Williams returned again to private practice, and joined the County Medical Society in 1816. Two years later, upon the recommendation of Major William J. Worth (afterwards Major General Worth), he was appointed by the Surgeon General, Dr. Lovell, Post Surgeon of the Cantonment at Greenbush, a position that he continued to fill with marked satisfaction until the garrison was abandoned in 1822, residing and pursuing meanwhile his private practice in the city.
Dr. Williams was President of the County Medical Society in 1828, having represented it in the State Medical Society of which he was elected permanent member the same year.
As a physician, Dr. Williams occupied a prominent position, and was strenuous to secure to his patients the benefits accruing from a proper system of diet during their illness, a subject that had attracted less attention forty years ago than it has of late years. He was beloved by many of his patients, some of whom were men of distinguished positions in life. As a citizen and a man, his career was honorable and his character unblemished.
In 1845, after thirty-five years of active professional life, Dr. Williams withdrew from its cares, and took his residence in Alder Creek, Oneida county, where he at present resides in the enjoyment of reasonable health, in the 80th year of his age, and passing the evening of his life in a calm and dignified tranquillity.
The contemporaries of Dr. Williams were Stringer and Mancius, McClelland and Woodruff, Willard and Wendell, Townsend, Wm. Bay, T. Romeyn Beck and Joel A. Wing. With a single exception these have all closed useful and honorable lives. Bay and Williams remain like sturdy oaks where the forests have fallen. Their lives cover the period of our national government and they survive to witness the most trying period of its existence. May they once more see peace and prosperity in the land, and close their lives only to begin the joys of a better world.
