Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-04-21
Interesting "reminiscences OF the late
VIM. ID. Todd.


THE GROWTH OF WARRINGTON.
The subjoined letter is no doubt the produc-
ton of Mr.. William G. Todd, highly inteili-
visit to his cousin the late William b. Todd
when his sudden and lamented death occurred,
and remained among us several weeks there
after. He was struck with the wonderful i'm
provement the city had undergone within the
short period since his last visit, and considers
II has brilliant future and that at no distant
day.
GFom TIE Ne,cbmyport Daily Heratd.l
WAsHINGToN, ID. c., April 10, 1873.
Editors Of Herald; Several weeks have elapsed
since the death of Mr.. William b. Todd. but it
is not too late to write to the citizens Of his
tive town how highly his worth was appreciated,
and how sincerely he was mourned in the COM
munity where he lived for more than forty
years, s1i so identified with its various interests.
He came to ashington i'm 1890 when not vet OF
age. Ii was before the days of railroads, and,
he was week on the journey, travelling mainly
by stage. He commenced business on Pennsyi-
wanna avenue, where now is the store of "Janes
Davis q Sons, }" rebuilding in 1851. His first
customer was DIR. John b. Blake, the present
gentlemanly and popular president of the Met
Topolitan Bank, his lifelong friend. Entering
into business earnestly, as he did into every
thing he soon established the most successful
hat store south of Philadelphia. AT that time
members of Congress, spending many DAYS on
the road in a stage coach, came in their old
clothes, and their first care in Washington
was TO purchase a new and fashionable
outfit which, when the session. was over
they carefully laid away till their return.
v. N
fessed il would endaGger their popularity to
appear i'm their fashionable Washington garb
among their plain constituents. He continued
in his store till 1855 when his private business
demanded so much of his attention that he sold
out 10 Mr.. James Y. Davis, who had been with
him from boy. Soon after Mr.. Todd came 10
Washington he took some lots to secure a debt
which he sold at a large advance, and this di-
rected his attention to class of property in
which he became so largely interested and was
so successful. He foresaY the future of Wash
lDItOn ri al n
cult of sale at any price, and the streets no bet
ter than ordinary country roads; and when a
good opportunity offered he bought. Probably
no one in our city has ever had so many trans
actions IN real estate, and no one was so ia
millar with its value and hist terry. He stated
recently that he never made loss in real es-
lite, except i'm one small purchase i'm Bladens-
burg. and much of the land he purchased i'm
Washington at few cents foot IS now worth
rs many dollars.
Though so much occupied in his private busi-
ness, he took deep interest i'm ali public and
benevolent movements affecting the welfare of
Washington. He was the oldest director of the
metropolitan Bank, which General jackson
ust q to say saved the country by timely loan
to the government in the war of 1872 He was
Tor years treasurer OF the Orphan Asylum, and
to his excellent management OF its funds il
owes largely its present prosperous condition.
He was long warden OF Trinity church, and to
this and every other Christian cause was q con
slant and generous contributor Endowed with |
rare good judgment, his ad vice was much sou ,ht
ano as cheertully given To the poorest as the |
rich. Almost the last act of his life, as the |
writer happened to know, was to loan some |
money 10 poor market woman, who had been
unfortunate. He held many trusts and no nan |
IN tins community stood higher for integrity
Decided in his convictions, he was so sincere |
so temperate in expression, and so anxious to DO |
what he thought right, that he had no enemies
Nothing cOuld be more just and happy than the
!ahsuage OF hon. A u Shepherd IN the res5lu-
lions offered by him at the meeting of the di-
rectors OF the Metropolitan Bank, when he
81 oke OF HIM as ga gentleman well known and
highly esteemed in our community for his sterI-
lng integrity, sound Judgment, humane and |
chr :stlan character. gentiemanly bearing, and |
modest and unpretending walk through life,
Long VIII his memory be cherished in this citv
of his adoption, and which he loved so well |
\ our city is with reason proud of the children |
she has reared up and sent abroad 10 do her
honor. In the long list OF worthy names, it
would not be easy to point to q better and more |
business man. nor one pnrer. trner
more conscientious in all the relations OF life |
than William Ii. Todd.
"A few days ago / visited the Franklin school |
and was shown through its different rooms bv |
he accomplished superintendent, j. o. Wilson |
So III y one OF the best school buildings in the
nlted states, recently constructed at an ex-
pense, exclusive of land, of 500 900. There are |
400 pupils, and the neatness and good order per |
Taung every department indicated the excel |
ence OF the school, though was not able to
.ltend the Rotations. 1 examined the writing |
looks, and have never seen better exhibitions |
y penmanship IN any school. Not a single book !
lad blot, and the teachers said it was not per
EiCdt dHCt been made IN the |
public schools of Washington, and thew are now |
among the best in the country. Much credit for
his is due Richard Wallach, esq, who when
mayor, gave such an impulse to the cause of
'ublic school education, and for whom one of
he schools is named.
L was introduced, yesterday to a bank direc-
or here worth half million, made BY his own |
horts, who never gave a note!
asEington Is very quiet now, the President |
most OF the Cabinet, and, of course the crowd |
/ otlce- seekers gone. Ex-senator Patterson |
sun mere, and contradicted the newspaper |
eport by telling me, Yesterday, he was never
a letter health in his life. He will probably |
o 10 Europe in the summer to be absent a wear. !
hough it is not definitely settled.