Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser., 1889-01-11
AN ECCENTRIC MILLIONAIRE.
Some of the Peculiar Personal Traits o
Isaiah v. Williamson of Philadelphia.

Isaiah Y. Williamson. who has given
one-sixth of this fortune of $4,000, 900
to establish a free school of mechanical
trades and intends to double his GIFT
il the money shall be needed, has been
one of Philadelphia's most energetic
! capitalists and philantlropists for
years. says the Record of that city. Old
merchants who have known him for
half century do not know where to
find him if he is not at his dingv little
office at 80 Bank street. He has re-
manned a bachelor all his life. and now
IN his eighty-tifth year he has founded
an institution, which. like Girard col
lege. will always remain an enduring
monument to his princely liberality
and thehigh 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-worE-
ing farmer in that section and the son
IN early life became imbued with those
economical principles that in later
Years eaabled him to roll up his i'm
mense fortune. 1t is said of him that
the guiding principle in his money
making ventures has been not to do q
thing to-day that can just as well be
done tomorrow. To this he attributes
his success in the commercial world.
He used To be fond of rational amuse-
ments. and for twenty years spent
every summer at Saratoga. Though
an old man he was passionately fond
"f dancing. and was always on the
floor At fashionable balls aud hops at
that famous watering place. He was
never at loss for a partner. for he
was Hnown to everybody at Saratoga
n the rich bachelor from Philadel-
phia-' Many were the adroit little
schemes concocted by ambitious man.
mas with marriageable darlings to res
cue the old gentleman from bachelor
hood. but they all failed. As the object
Of their attentions slipped through
their hands. To this day. in the sun
set Of his life. the aged phiIanthropist
delights to gossip with his ever-nar-
rowing circle of acquaintances-for he
makes but few frieuds-about the CAV
tlnss he used to have at Saratoga.
Long ago. quarter of a century. per-
haps, h. drove good team. but he
dispensed with his carriage and horses
because he grew tired of them.
A gentleman who has known him
for forty years said Yesterday If his
peculiarly: 1T was easier for Mr..
Williamson to give away $iO. 600 than
to purchase n SUI, of clothes for himself.
He has carried the same umbrella for
fifteen years ar more. aud stuck to il
because he SAYS he likes it. He moves
about frequently aud generally STAYS
sirhrar.5 hr ar.5 II ,sk r;.'sa IT. saa tah f hnS move Ne
about at his pleasure. He does not
care to have many people know where
be lives. aud the city directory only
gives the location Of his office on Bank
street. III. is not and never has been.
"a mean man. aud the crowniug act OF
his life-the establishment of the free
school-has been undertaken with the
view of re--s,a blishing the old appren
ticeship system. which ilourished so ex.
i.ns'reiy in his youth and manhood.
In personal appearance Mr.. William.
sou Is rather a small man, weighing
about $50 pounds He has a very
pleasant face. and some people say his
features are somewhat of "A feminine
cast He has a bright eve and his
whole counteuauce is suggestive of
tirmness and decisive character.