Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-04-14
THE LATE REYNEAR WILLIAMS.
A Prosperous business Man and n Highly
Respected Citizen of Milford.

Reynear Williams, q prominent mer-
chant and well known citizen of Milford,
died there Thursday afternoon, after q
lingering illness. Mr.. Williams, up to the
time his activity was seriously impaired
by the rayages of disease, took lively
interest in politics. In 1850 was elected a
representative in the General Assembly
and at the ensuing session was chosen
speaker of the House. \ number of years
ago he kept gentleman's furnishing
goods store at No. sos Market street, this
city.
Special Correspondence OF Gazetto and journal
MILFORD, April 9.---Reynear Williams,
whose death Thursday afternoon was
noted in yesterdays paper, was an inilu-
ential and most highly respected citizen of
Milford His death resulted from con-
sumption, after a lingering illness. He was
taken to his bed about a week ago and has
ever since been growing worse. and his
death was not unexpected by his many
| friendIhere.
Reynear Williams was born in Milford
| January 18th, 1870. He was sent to the
Milford Academy where he received good
| education and afterwards entered store
| in this his native town, as clerk, continn-
| ing for three years. In 1860 he went to
Wilmington, where he engaged as book
! keeper and salesman in large dry goods
establishment After three years expert
| cnce he began business for himself i'll that
, city, which he conducted successfully for
three years. In June, lSBi, he sold out
his store in Wilmington and went TO Phila-
delphia where he entered into partnership
with Isaac s. Smith in the wholesale no.
ton and hosiery business, on Market
street IN which they We're very prosperous.
| In 1870 he returned to this town and he
opened Il dry goods store which he con
tinted with uninterrupted, prosperity until
1880, when he disposed of it and turned
his attention to his real estate and vessel
property. III May, 1876, he was elected
and served as one of the two managing
directors of the office Of discount and de
post of the Bank Of Smyrna here, which
position he held for two years, when the
Office was discontinued. In the fall of 1850
lie was elected on tine Democratic
ticket as a representative TO the
General Assembly and served for the
session of 81 as speaker of the House
This position was entirely unsought and
was given him by the spontaneous action
OF the members of that body. His record
as speaker was one of courtesy and fair
ness throughout. He was q member Of
the Masonic order, being made such II
1865. He was a director III the. Mil
ford Building and Loan Association
until he was elected TO the position o.
secretary and treasurer, about ~ year!
ago. This Office was held by him unit
the beginning Of the present year, when
he was compelled to resign on account o
his poor health.
Mr.. Williams had amassed considerable
property and 1T the time of his dealt
owned a large amount of real estate am
vessel property. He was one Of the riches
} men i'll this community. In 1871 he wa
married to Miss Annie +. McColley ,daugh
: ter of Hiram w. McGolley, now deceased
who alone survives him, they having n
4 | ehil1ren