The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1888-12-27
AN ECCENTRIC MILLIONiItE.
Some of the Peculiar Personal Traits of
Isaiah V. Williamson, of Philadelphia.
1Philadelphia Record.

Philadelphia Record.
Who is Isaiah V. Williamson? Peo-
pie scratch their heads and ask this
question. Every now and then the
name bobs up in print, but the owner
Of it is 50 modest that only his most in
innate friends know much about him.
Isaiah V. Williamson, who has given
one-siXth Of his fortune OF SO, 5,UUO, 600
to establish the Free School of Me
chanical Trades, and intends to double
his gift if the money shall be needed,
has been one of Philadelphia's most
energetic capitalists and philanthropy
lists for years. Oll merchants who
have known him for Ealf 4 century do
not know where to fild linn if he is
not at his dingy little Office at No. 80
Bank street. He has remained a bach
elor all his life, and now n his eighty
fifth wear he has founded an institu-
Jion which, like Girard College, will
always remain an enduring monument
to his princely libcrality and the high
purpose for which it was founded.
Mr.. Williamson is Of Quaker origin,
and was born in Bucks county in
1903. 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 ini-
mense fortune. 1t is said Of him that
the guiding principle Of his money
making ventures has been not to do 4
thing to-day that can just as We'll be
done Tomorrow. To this he attributes
his success in the CONNIE crcial world.
He used to be fond of rational amusc-
meats, and for twenty years spent ev-
cry summer at Saratoga. Though an
Old man lie 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 & loss for partner, for he was
known to everybody at Saratoga us the
erich bachelor from Philadelphia. y
Many were the adroit little schemes
concocted by ambitious mammas with
marriageable darlings to rescue the old
gentleman from bachelorhood, but they
all failed, as the object Of their atten-
ton slipped through their hands. TO
this day, in the sunset of his life, the
aged philanthropjst delights to gossip
with his ever-narrowing circle of ac-
quaintances-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
good team, but he dispensed with his
carriage and horses because he grew
of them.
A gentleman who has known him
for forty years said yesterday of this
popularity: "It was easier for iIr.
Williamson to give away $4,000 than
to purchase a suit of clothes for him
self.N He has carried the same UNI
brella for fifteen years or more,
and stuck to it because he says he likes
it. He moves about frequently, and
generally stays at the house Of a reIa
tive. 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 di-
rectory only gives the location Of his
office on Bank street. He is not, and
never has been, a mean man, and the
crowning act of hi> life-the establish
ment Of the proposed school-has been
undertaken with the view of re-estab-
fishing the old apprenticeship system,
which hourished so extensively in his
youth and manhood.
In personalappearance Mr.. William
son is rather sJuall man, weighing
about l30 pounds. He has very
pleasant face, and some people say his
features are somewhat of Il feminine
cast. He has bright eye, and his
whole countenance is suggestive Of
frmness and decisive character