Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-03-08
ISAIAH WILLIAMSON DEAD.
Eventual Career of Philadelphia Million
.lr PhIlanfhrnnIat.


air PhilanthrOpist.
PHILADELPHIA, March 7.-Isaiah V.
Williamson, the venerable million ire
philanthropist, died at four O'Clock this
morning Although Mr.. Williamson had
been ailing for several years his strength
gave way for the first time on Monday
afternoon. when it was necessary to carry
him from his Office 10 his carrisge. He
was taken home aud sank gradually until
death ensued.
Isaiah V. Williamson was born at Fal-
mouth, Bucks comfy, Pa, 10 1902 He
came to Philadelphia shortly before reach
ing his majority, and started small dry
gaods on Second street, above Market.
With the assistance of II. n. Burroughs,
now President of the Commercial National
Bank; Re soon bull up a large business,
too large, in fact, for the slzs OF the store
room. nud he moved 20 Market street, or
ganizing the wholesale house Of William-
son, Burroughs & Clark
The torture Mr.. Williamson had at the
time he retired from the dry goods busi-
ness grew rapidly under judic'ous invest
ments until ne sas regarded rs the richest
man in Pniladelphis He was very retl-
cent regarding his sffiirs, but SIS, coo, 600
has been regarded ss a low estimate oi his
wealth. Mr.. Williamson never married,
appearing in his younger days 10 he too
busy for love gffairs. His economical
habits, acquired in carly youth, stuck TO
MIN in lsjer years, and "a he grew older
he appeared to have an Increasing aversion
TO spending money on himself A gentle
man who knew him we'll said that
il was easier for him to give away
80 600 than to purchase suit oi
clothes for himsslf He carried cne nm
biella for over fifteen yesrs and wss al
Vows s.en wearing clothes of ancient cut
and IA led and hreadbsre appearance and
few who saw hin upon the streets IN re-
cent wears would credit him with the POS
session OF wealth. still less with being
MANY times millionaire. He usually
wore black felt nat and lOog, rusty
overcost, snd loJ the last yesr OF so has
walked with feeble, totieriUg step, aa
though struggling with death and getting
the better of the grim monster by sheer
force Of viii. His short stature and
weazeue1 f.ce added to his peculiar az
pesrance and caused pa-seIs By 20 gaze
curiously az him.
Notwithstanding his di3ircliust.on. hoT
ever. 50 spend money upon himself, MI
williams wss a charitable man all Ms
life. and gave iberolly to all worthy OBJ
iects. lie was, however, Rverse to puo-
Iieiiy. and er joined secrecy - to the g'ver
nno1 many institutions that have heen
Ebenefled by him. The hou.e OF Refuge
received 500. 600 from him, and the Unit
versiiv of Pennsylvania Hospital and the
Jefferson College Hospital $50 600 each.
He gave 100000 to the Board OF Trade
fnni fer the assistance Of merchants who
have sustained Teverses aud ere without
means for mskiugs a livelihood.
The cfowniDg act cf Mr. Willinmsnn'a
nbiianthropic life was the giving Of 90
aOO GOO for the founding cf the william
son Free School Of Mechanical Trades,
which il 10 he built IS soon as location
is decided upon. The school is to he locs-
ted ia the suburbs of Pennsylvania, or ID
Bucks. Delaware or Montgomery county.
Toe huildirg4 are 60 be Of stone OF oricsi
substantially erected. but not expensiyely
orrauented, ard the grounds at the start
o-a not IN exceed 300 acres. The school Is
n bs q free home for healthy young boys
bstveen twelve and eighteen years OF age,
who must he bound as iudentured ap-
nrsntices 10 the trustees for snch peri
ods as the latter may determine, but
not less than three years aud not beyond
the minority Of the pupil. The poor are
to have preference. The pupils ere to be
fed. clothed and lodged during the term
Of apprenticeship, and each is to be taught
the trade he is fitted for, or farming and
rardeniog and good eommon school En-
9lish education where required No favor
Is 70 he shown 10 any particular sect or
trade. Tbe pupis are 10 hsys moral and
religious as well ss physical training The
trustees can expeD for insubordination,
vice or crime. Deserving pupils ale to be
given at the end Of their term, sum Of
money not exceeding $50 for escb,