Edward Williams (businessman)

Edward Porter Williams (May 10, 1843 – May 4, 1903) was an American businessman who co-founded the Sherwin-Williams Company with Henry Sherwin.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, he graduated from Cleveland Central High School in 1859, then earned a bachelor's (1864) and master's (1869) degree from Western Reserve University (now Case Western Reserve University).

Edward and his brother Charles joined the Army in 1862, along with the entire Western Reserve University, faculty and student alike. They were assigned to Company B, 85th Ohio Volunteers and held a short-term assignment at Camp Chase guarding Confederate prisoners. He mustered out at Columbus, Ohio, and had to be carried there on a cot, as he was recovering from typhoid fever.

Edward married Mary Louise Mason. Children: Edward Mason Williams(Mary Redmond), Sarah Granger Williams(Abrahm Garfield), Lewis Mason Williams (Lester Coffeen), Reba Louise Williams (Arthur Douglas Baldwin), Walter Williams.

In 1865, Edward and his brother Charles, along with Edward L Day entered the glass business in Kent, Ohio as Day & Williams. He left that company in 1870, investing $15,000 to partner with Henry A. Sherwin. Edward P. Williams was Executive Vice President and a member of the Board of Directors of the company at the time of his death.

Edward Porter Williams is buried at Lakeview Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio.