Their faultless
English contrasts strikingly with the
Negro dialect of the States. In manner they
are usually
more British than American and
a certain air of
thoroughness which must
come from their schools,
sometimes creates
the impression that there may be a
feeling of superiority. One has only to
know them
personally, however, and get their
point of view, to
understand how gladly
they enter into the business,
social and
religious life of their respective communities.
Here we tell
the story of one of these British West
Indians, who hails from the Island of
Jamaica. Dr. John
James Williams, of
Clarksburg, W. Va., was born in
Jamaica
on September 8, 1886. His father, Rev.
Henry
Williams was a Wesleyan (Methodist)
preacher; his
mother, before her marriage,
was Ann Williams.
Young Williams
laid the foundation of his education in
the government schools of his native island,
which
corresponds to our graded and high schools. After that
he had two years in
college. He was more or less active
in
athletics which takes the form of cricket
rather than
baseball or football at the
American College.
He came to
the States in 1906. For his medical
course,
he matriculated at the School of
Medicine of Howard
University where he won
his M.D. degree in 1912. In the
fall
of the same year he visited his old
home and in
December located at Panama
where he practiced for five years. Here
he did a general practice in a mixed
multitude of races. He was medical examiner
for the
British Government at Panama during
1917.
In 1918, he
returned to the States and located at
Clarksburg where he has since resided, and
has built a
good general practice. Retaining his British citizenship,
he takes no active
part in American politics. In religion he
is a Methodist. His secret order and
benevolent society
affiliations are with the
Masons, Pythians, Odd Fellows,
Elks and
American Order of Foresters. He is medical
examiner for the colored public schools of
Clarksburg.
He is also examiner for the
National Benefit Life
Insurance Company, and
the Supreme Life and
Casualty Company.
He is a
general reader, with a special liking for
history
and poetry.'