Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-10
AN ECCENTRIC MILLIONAIRE.
Some OF the Peculiar Personal Traits OF
Isaiah V. Williamson, Of Philadelphia.

From the Philadelphia Record.
Who is Isaiah v. williamson People scratch
fhsir heads and ask this question. Every now
and then the name hobs up in print. but the
owner OF it is so modest that only his most init
mate friends know much about him.
Isaiah v. Williamson, who has. given one-sixth
OF his fortune Of $4,000, 900 to establish the
Free School Of Mechanical Trades, and intends
70 double his gift IL the money shall be needed,
mas been one Of Philadelphia's most energetic
capitalists and philanthropists for years. Old
merchants who have known him for half q GEN.
fury do not know where to find him il he is not
at his dingy little Office at No. 80 Bank street.
He has remained o bachelor all his life, and
now IN his eighty-ffth year he has founded an
Institution which, like Girard college, will
always remain an enduring monument to his
princely hberality and the high purpose for
which II was founded Mr.. Williamson is of
Quaker origin and was born in Bucks county in
looS. His father was a hard-working farmer
in that section, and the son in early life became
imbued with those economical principles that
In later years enabled him to roll up his inn
mense fortune. 1t is said of him that the guild
ing principle IN his money-making ventures
has been not to do thing to-day that can just
as well be done tomorrow. To this he attrib-
utes his success in the commercial world. He
used to be fond of rational amusements. and for
twenty years spent every summer at Saratoga.
Though an old man, he was passionately fond
Of dancing, and was always on the floor at the
fashionable balls and hops at that famous
watering place. He was never at a loss for
partner, for he was known to everybody at Sar-
atoga as "the rich bachelor from Philadelphia"
Many were the adroit little schemes concocted
by ambitious mammas with manageable dar.
lings to rescue the old gentleman from bache-
lorhood but they all failed, as the object of
their attentions slipped through their hands.
To this day, in the sunset of his life, the aged
philanthropist delights to gossip with his ever
narrowing circle OF acquaintances-for he
makes but few new friends-about the gay
times he used to have at Saratoga. Long ago,
quarter OF century, perhaps, he drove a
good team, but he dispensed with his carriage
and horses because he grew tired of them.
Agentleman who has known him for for forty
years said yesterday of this popularity: 1T
was easier for Mr.. Williamson to give away
$4,000 than to purchase suit of clothes for
hlmself. He has carried the same umbrella
for fifteen years or more, and stuck to it be-
cause he says he likes it. He moves about FREE
quently and generally stays at the house of a
relative. He has no furniture to speak of. and
can move about at his pleasure. He does not
care to have many people know.where he lives,
and the city directory only gives the location
OF his office on Bank street. He is not and
never has been, a mean man. and the browning
act OF his life-the establishment of the pro-
posed school-has been undertaken with the
view of re-establishing the old apprenticeship
system, which fourished SO extensively in his
youth and manhood.
In personal appearance Mr.. Williamson is
rather a small man, weighing about 100 pounds.
He has very pleasant face, and some people
say his features are somewhat Of feminine
cast. He has bright eye and his whole coun-
tenance is suggestive of firmness and decisive
character.