James J. Williams

At some point his family came to the United States, and he learned photography after the American Civil War.

[3] In February 1882 he bought Dickson's photography business and changed the name to J. Williams & Company.

He published a booklet Tourists’ Guide for the Hawaiian Islands in 1882, and took pictures for other early guidebooks.

[7] Another popular portrait subject was Princess Kaʻiulani, and visitors such as Robert Louis Stevenson.

Grandson Alex Williams (d. May 1988) continued the business, taking many photos of the industrial development of the city of Honolulu.