Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-06-05
The Late Judge williams.

but he was so prominent citizen and so Intimately
identified with the history of Augusta for large
part Of the last fifty years, that more extended
mention may not be inappropriate.
Perhaps no man now living can claim so long,
so earnest, aud so unselsh, an advocacy OF what III
his prime was known, as "the interests OF Angus
Ia" Others still living. stood shoulder TO shout
der with him in those difficult times, whi,e the po-
sition and prospects of the town were still 10 amy
| ance, and while the result depended upou the wise
counsels and earnest work OF ITS frients.
In due time-not far distant, alas-the very few
! who still survive, should and will receive grateful
recognition; but now, the memory OF the non req
! and ccent dead should only be consid, red
Judge W llams was born in the town Of Angus
! Ia, Nov. II, 1895, be died May %, 1871. lie was
| the eighth of the eleven children OF Capt. Seth
! W llinms and /Ilpha lngraham; his father was a
/ high respected citizen of Augusta, to when
| place Chen a part of llallowel) he came iron
| Easton, Mass, in l719. On the orpoiaton Of
the town of Augusta as separate municipality, IN
| 1877, Capt. Williams was chosen one OF the board
OF seectmen. and held the Office for sixteen years;
he He'd various other town offices TO general ac-
| cepauce; his wife, the mother OF Inc Judge, was
| the daughter of Belah and Abagaii lngiaham.
who were among the earliest settlers on the terri
| tory no embr aced in the city of Augusta. To
her particular ly was the subject OF this notice in
| debted Tor many OF those qualities which greatly
contributed to his success; her character was so
| marked she would have been conspicuous IN what
|
| capable, firm, shrewd, energetic, and above all
| conscientious christian. She merlted and received
the respect and affection of all who knew here; her
example and teaching bore fruit in the life OF her
| son.
| Mr.. Williams in common with other young men
| of h is day. entered on the business of life early
| first when 20 years old as student at law after
| wards as partner with his brother, the Hon. Reuel
W illiams. At that time the study and practice of
| the law differed widely from the now prevailing
custom. Governmental office, and all enterprises
foreign to the profession had then but few charms
for the advocate or attorney; perhaps a return to
| the Id regime would not diminish the regard Of
| the people. With decided opinions upon politics,
Judge Williams was not a politician, and while
| acting from necessity with party, he never
allowed party differences to interfere with private
| friendships; neither bitterness nor Irancor held
| place in his heart. Always popular rs man, and
| trusted as a citizen, he held municipal and State
offices frequently, but rarely for the sake OF emo
| ument. His purpose and pride was to serve his
friends and fellow citizens, and TO serve them we'll
never an enthusias or Spectator, he iisked and
lost a competence, in the effort to utilize the great
| water power upon which the growth and prosperi-
| ~ Of his native city seemed to depend. Although
the result proved TO be disastrous to him, and the
| few friends first associated with hun. when the
| enterprise was finally successful his own losses
were forgotten 10 the be liei that he had been in
strumental IN promoting the permanent good Of
| Augusta.
| Indeed the "interests of Augusta" were almost
y
for her from any quarter was cons by him
personal favor. An unjust attack upon her rig hts,
was resented as personal wrong. In the bitter CON
trOversy incident to the permanent establishment
of the seat of government OF lane, Ma. v ialus
| was conspicuous. BY his persistent energy, n.
| earnest advocacy, his conciliatory conduct to
| neutrals and fair dealing with opponents, he was
| enabled 10 do much towards the final success of
the effort upon which the future Of Augusta was
| then supposed to hinge. In 1922 he became
| member BY protest. of the Orthodox Congrega-
tIonal church IN this city, then under the charge
Of the Rev. DIR. Tappan. he continued in Its fell
| lowship, until the establishment OF the Episcopal
| church in 1871. lie was confirmed in that year
| and ever alter maintained his standing sin
cere and active chr istah. He was prominent in
tue councils of the church and always ready in her
| support. L ntl his wears induced him to withdraw
he WAS office bearer IN the diocese, the parish,
| and the vestiy often in all at the same time.
| While convicted of the strength of his wn posi-
ton he not unchartable towards those who diff
fered with him. Striving to be consistent, he knew
his own mpe fections and sympat b zed with such
| could not resist temptation, as well as himself;
ne iher an ultraist a bgot, ne her a Iituali,t
| nor low churChman, he was ready to recognize
| goodness and purity wherever 1t could be found.
| Controversy, accompanied by bitter feeling and
| singing words. he greatly dlslked, and especially
among those " no called themselves chri,taas Ever
| ready to give a reason for the faith which in
him, and glad to persuade others, he did not urge
his opinions Unexpectedly; but preferred by mod
|
| by kindly feel NJ to win their hearts.
| Ia his family relations Mr.. Williams was pc
culiarly happy; neither larshness nor suspicion
| found place in his home. Always afectionate
and from his nature iDdulgent, his children Learn
| cd to obey him because they loved him. His
| house was the abode Of hospitality. The many
| friends who welcomed there will long
recollect the genial bearing and amisble deueauor
of their host. The poor OF the city and especially
| those who were won't to look TO him for aid, Will
| lppply feel lis Df
| the fountain nom which the ir wants were sup
Piled, hut because they will miss his sympathy and
| the gracious expression of 1t. Perhaps the most
marked characteristics of Judge Williams
were benevolent spirit. and genial
disposition. His heart prompted him
to deeds of charity; it was pleasure TO him
self to he able to obligc friend even to the un-
| thankful he rarely denied a favor; pleasant
word, sunny smile, were ready for all he loved
children, and they returned his love, IN good
measure.
A lawyer by profession, be never brought suit
| for personal end, pieferring rather to lose the
debt than to distress the unfortunate debtor.
Neither sharp nor hard in his dealing, neither
graspng nor penurious, he failed 10 accumulate
such fortune one with a different temper and
less kindly feeling might have gained with his OPP
| portunites. But perhaps he was happier while
he lived and his memory may be more fondly
| cherished now he is in his grave. Judge Williams
was an Old man, aud it is only the Old or those
| who are fast becoming so who will recollect him
| in active NE, anu VINO from their own OBSERVATION
are competent to judge of the accuracy of this
memoir his contemporaries Will not be disposed
to challenge it.
Sidney Locals--M.iit-ry Tactics of "Ye
| OId.n Time
| Our Sidney correspondent writes al interesting
letter, as follows:
| There has been more seed put into the ground
than usual. A majority have done planting, and
many have commenced hoeng in earnest. lie
who wrote that the hay crop in Maine was
thing, ought to know that no man is safe 10 max
ing such prediction before the middle of June.
Now lands which are in good order, are looking
well but old fields are almost at a stand-still.