Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1889-03-22
A PHILANTHROPIST DEAD.
L. V. Williamson, the Million
aire, Expires in Philadelphia.
His Great Request for a Mechani-
cal School in Jeopardy.

Isaiah Y. Williamson, the venerable MI.
ionaire philantlropist, and probably ths
richest bachelor in the United States, died a
few days ago in Philadelphia.
Mr.. Williamson was born at Penns Manor,
Bucks County, Penn. eighty-seven years
ago He was the son of poor farmer, and
worked on the farm in summer and attended
the village school in winter. At twelve
years he entered a country store at Fording-
ham, Bucks County, where he remained un.
I'll he was about twenty years old, when he
concluded to come to Philadelphia to seek his
fortune. After a varied commercial ex-
perience he became member of the firm. OF
Williamson, Burroughs 81 Co, who carried
on the dry goods business. He was very
successful and retired from active work
many years ago with an immense fortune,
aggregating millions.
After retiring from the dry goods bust
ness Mr.. Williamson became an active figure
in financial circles. His fortune grew rap
idly under his judicious investments, and at
the time of his death he was regarded as the
richest man in Philadelphia. Mr. William
son never married. His economical habits
acquired in early youth stuck to him in later
years, and as he grew older he appeared to
have an increasing aversion to spending
money upon himself. He carried one UNI
brella for over fifteen years, and was always
seen wearing clothes of ancient cut and
faded and threadbare appearance.
Mr.. Williamson was charitable man all
his life, and has given literally to all worthy
objects. He was, however, averse to pub
licitY, and enjoined secrecy as to the giver
upon many institutions that were benefited
by his bounty. The House of Refuge re-
ceived 100000 from him, and the University
Of Pennsylvania Hospital and the jefferson
College Hospital, $50, 900 each. He gave
500, 900 to the Board of Trade fund for the
assistance of merchants who had sustained
reverses and were without means for making
q livelihood. Whenever he sent contribu-
ton to any object he simply signed his
initials, and few persons know how much he
has given away anonymously.
The GROWING act of Mr.. Wll1amSons
philanthropic life was the gift of 81, 500 coo
for the founding of the Williamson Free
School of Mechanical Trades, which is to be
built as soon as location is decided upon. The
affairs Of the project are new in the hands
of board of trustees selected by him. Al
though he gave away great deal of money
in this and other ways, Mr.. Williamson, it is
said, provided we'll for his relatives. The
nearest of these sister and brother liv-
ing in Bucks County, and brother in Ken
lucky. His younger brother, who died some
time ago, left four daughters, two married
and two single.
Mr.. Williamson always led life of the
greatest seclusion, and kept himself as much
as possible out Of the public eye.
Owing to the fact that no will is known to
have been made by Mr.. Williamson, some
doubt has been expressed regarding his be-
quests.
Franklin B. Gowan. who was for many
years the private counsel OF Mr.. Will
hanson, said that the effects of the
dead man were IA such a condition that his
plans and ideas regarding the proposed in
dustrial school would be fully carried out; he
said that the trustees now had in their posses
sion, by legal deed, over $4,000, 900, and that
Mr.. Williamson had so fixed things that
whatever may be the shape Of his will, there
can be no interference with the school pro
iect. A trustee stated that the idea of the
school had long been considered by Mr.. Will
lie the arrangements had been completed for
the actual transfer of the property and Sc
curities, and this was done soon as the
Board of Trustees was selected, and that
there could no. possibly be any interference
with the project