Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-07-15
THE ST. PAUL DAILY GLOBE TUESDAY MORNING JULY IS 1919
HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Proceedings on the Death Of Rec. ID
Williamson.


Proceedings on the Death Of Rec. DR..
Williamson.
The Historical society had the temerity
to hold regular meeting last night, not
withstanding the heat of the weather. There
was, fortunately for them, not much BUSH
ness on hand, which enabled them to adj
journ early.
DEATH OF DR. WILLIAMSON,
The secretary reported the death of a
prominent member as follows:
/ rise to announce to this society the
death of Rev. Thomas s. Williamson, M. D.,
one of its Oldest members. which took place
at his residence at ST. Peter, on June 23d,
aged nearly S0years.
The events of DR.. Williamson's life are too
we'll known to all the members of this socie-
ty to need repeating except in the briefest
manner. He was born in Union District, s.
G., in March, 1900, and in 1905 removed with
his parents to Manchester, o., where he grew
up to manhood. He graduated at Jefferson
College, Canonsburg, Pa, in 1917, and sub
seqnently attended Yale Medical College,
where he graduated In 1924. He then To-
Gated at Ripley, o., and soon became a lead
ing physician of that locality. On April 10,
1927, he married Miss Margaret ,Poage. who
for forty-f five years bore with him the priva-
tons of missionary life. Ten children were
born to them, of whom four survive.
In 1888 DR.. Williamson resolved on enter
ing the ministry. He placed himself under
the care of the Chillioothe Presbytery and
commenced the study of theology.
In August of that year he removed with
hIo foroo Svxr 10 NJ, \
connected himself with the Lowe Semin-
ary. In April, 1884, he was licensed to
preach bv the Chillicothe Presbytery. Pre-
vious to his license, he had received from
the American board an appointment to pro-
coed on an exploring tour among the In
dams of the Upper Mississippi, with special
reference to the Sacs and Foxes; but to col
lect what information he could in reference
to the Sioux, Winnebagoes and other In
dams. He performed this duty, and
returned to Ohio in August. On
the 18th of August, 1884, in Union
church, Ross comfy, Ohio, he was ordained
as missionary by the Presbytery of Chilli
Gothic. Shortly afterward he received his
appointment as a missionary of the A. B. G.
F. M.
On April I, 1885, DR.. w., with his family
and Mr.. A. G. higgins and family, left
Ripley for their field of labor, and on May
Is arrived at Fort Smelling. After organic
ing Presbyterian church at Fort Smelling
they started up the Minnesota river, and
after sixteen days. hard travelling arrived at
Lac qui Parle.
Here DR.. w. established mission
and resided several years. Aided by
Joseph Renville, he learned the Dakota Ian
guage, preached in that tongue to the In
dams, translated portion of the scriptures
| into it, and prepared school books for their
use. he made about forty Indian converts
while at Lac qui Parle.
In 1916 he removed with his family to
Kaposia, and continued his labors. He re
manned here until 1858, and during this time
he continued his work in translating scrip
lures and in compiling Dakato~ lexicon.
When the Minnesota Historical society was
organized he became one of its warm
est members and supporters. His
name is one of the first
signed on our roll. In the earlier rec
ords of the society he appears noted as at
tending and taking an active part in the
meetings, and delivering lectures, cr address
es in its behalf. He never ceased to feel q
deep interest in the success of the society up
to the time of his death, after an active mem
|
date of his decease was member of the ex-
ecutive council.
In 1852, the Indians having been removed
to the upper Minnesota reservations, DIR.
Williamson followed them and established q
new mission near Pagutazee. Here he re.
NAMED ten years, until the awful
outbreak of 1862 seemed to sweep away
the labor of himself and his devoted associ-
ates. He himself wal not discouraged. He
felt that the seed sown would in some way
bring forth good fruit, and, in fact, their
whole missionary labor had been amid dis
couragement and reverses. He lived to see
800 Dakota converts. In the outbreak be
and his family barely escaped with their
lives. The next year he spent with the
prisoner Indians at Fort Smelling and Dav-
export, earnestly labcring for their instruc-
ton and conversion. In 1868, if I re-
member rightly, he settled at St.
Peter, as his own health and that of bis
family forbade his following the Indians to
their new reservations on the Missouri river.
He served congregation at st. Peter for q
while, and the rest of his time he spent in
translating the scriptures into Dakota, and
engaging in missionary tours, for which the
mission board allowed him q limited stipend
During the last years of his life
he suffered much from physical pain
yet kept steadily at work. His pen
was never idle. During this time he wrote
several papers for this society," a part OF
which are published. The last visit he made
to our rooms was but few days before his
death, to consult some works in preparation
of an article on the probable European origin
Of the Dakotas. His patience and resigna-
ton under all troubles, was q prominent
trait of his character. No one ever heard
him utter word of complaint. Though
not what might be termed brilliant man,
his industry and perseverance enabled him
to accomplish great deal. All who met
him we're impressed with his goodness and
sincerity, and respected him for his devotion
of long life to the work which was his sole
aim and ambition. It was a life, too, of
hardship and self denial of the severest ma
ture. But the people of Minnesota must
ever regard his memory with respect, if not
admiration. It has become largely woven
with our history, and the pen of the chron-
icler cannot fail to do full justice to this
humble, patient, devoted, pious missionary
This hasty sketch is intended as mere
formal announcement. I must leave to
others more able the preparation of such a
memoir as should be written for the collec-
tions of this society.
At the conclusion of the above remarks
Gen. r. w. johnson moved the adoption of
the following resolutions:
WHEREAS, It has pleased the Great Ruler of
| the universe to call from labor to rest one of
the members of our executive council, Rev.
DR.. Thomas 8. Williamson.
Resolued, That we mourn his loss as mau of
noble heart. pure mind and generous impulses.
He was esteemed, loved and venerated by all
| classes. But he was more-for to all these he
added the crowning grace of being an earnest,
| sincere and devoted Christian, and amid the
vicissitudes of life he was ever found in the
strict line of Christian dntv mor;fas+;,. ~,