Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-07
MILLIONAIRE WILLIAMSON DEAD.
He Hated to Spend Money on Himself,
But Gave Vast Sums to Charity.

PHILADELPHIA, March Isaiah V. William
son, the venerable millionaire philanthropist.
died at o'clock this morning. Mr.. Williamson
was perhaps the richest bachelor in the United
States. lie was born at penn's Manor, Bucks
county, Pa, eighty-seven years ago. He was
the son of poor farmer and had many early
privations. He worked on the farm in the
summer time and attended the village school in
the winter. Reaching the age OF twelve years
ne secured position in a country store at
rockingham. Bucks county. His salary was
meagre, but he was industrious, and remained
III the store until he was about twenty years
old, when be concluded TO come to Philadelphia
to seek his fortune. After a varied commercial
experience, in which he developed great bust
ness ability, he became a member of the firm of
Williamson. Burrough x Co., who carried on
the dry goods business on Market street above
2nd. He was successful in business, and re-
tired from active work many years ago,
WITH FORTUNE AGGREGATISG MILLIONS.
He was not contented TO remain idle, how
ever. and upon retiring from the dry goods
business Mr.. Williamson went on Sd street and
became an active figure in financial circles He
bought stocks and bonds of all descriptions but
not for immediate speculation. Everything he
acquired he held. and If it was not a dividend
paying stock at the time he kept it until it
became such. He studied the reports of rail-
road companies and became thoroughly in
formed as to their earning powers and made
very few mistakes in his Investments The
fortune he had when he retired from the dry
goods business grew rapidly under his iudicious
investments, and at the time of his death he
was regarded as the richest man in Philadel-
phla. Mr.. Williamson never married, appear
ing in his younger daysto be
TOO BUSY FOR LOVE AFFAIRS
He occupied nearly all his time making
money. 1t is said. however, that he was very
fond of dancing, and was always on the floor at
the summer balls and hops at Saratoga for
many years. He was known there as the rich
bachelor from Philadelphia" and was conse-
quently never at a loss for a partner. Mothers
with marriageable daughters used various
schemes to entrap him, but in vain. He re-
manned a bachelor and delighted to tell. years
afterwards, of the gay times he had at Sara
toga. His economical habits. acquired in
early youth. stuck TO him in later years, and as
he grew older he appeared TO have an increas-
ing aversion to spending money upon himself
A gentleman who knew him well said that il
was easier for him to give away SO 600 than
to purchase a suit of clothes for himself He
CARRIED ONE UMBRELLA FOR OVER FIFTEEN
YEARS,
and was always seen wearing clothes of ancient
cut and faded and threadbare appearance.
Notwithstanding his Discrimination, however,
to spend money upon himself. Mr. Williamson
has been charitable man all his life, and has
given literally to all worthy objects. he has
however, been averse to publicity, and has en-
joined secrecy as to the giver upon many insti-
tutions that have been benefited by him. The
House of Refuge received 100000 from him
and the University of Pennsylvania hospital
and the Jefferson college hospital 900 each
He gave Sl00, 900 to the board of trade fund for
the assistance of merchants who have sus-
tanned reverses and are without means for
making livelihood. Whenever he has sent a
contribution to any object he has simply
signed his initials, and few persons know
how much he has given away anonymously.
THE GROWING ACT OF MIR. wuLIAMsoNs PHI
LANTHRoPy
was the gift of @, SOC, 900 for the founding Of
the Williamson Free School of Mechanical
Trades, which is to be built as soon as loca-
ton is decided upon. The affairs Of the pro-
ject are now in the hands of board of trustees
selected by MIR. Williamson. Although he has
given away a great deal of money in this and
other ways, Mr.. Williamson has, it is said, pro-
vided well for his relatives. The nearest of
these are sister and brother living in Bucks
county and brother in Kentucky. His younger
brother, who died some time ago, left four
daughters. two married and two single
Mr.. Williamson has always led life Of the
greatest seclusion, and has kept himself as
much as possible out Of the public eve. He
formerly resided with q cousin at S04 Pine
street, but of late years he has had apartments
at 1879 Chestnut street.