Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-10-01
the LIBRARY FUND
Iacfsassl By . GIFT Of $1,000 In msmor Of
ihs Late Hon. Revsi Williams

The fund for the Lith20. Library build
ing was. increased yesterday by gin OF
one thousand dollars from Hon. Joseph II.
Williams Of this city, and his sisters, Miss
Anna VI. Williams Mrs. Helen 4. Gilman
and Mrs. Jans r.. Judd. in memory of their
father, the late Hon keueI Williams. The
following letter regarding the gift was re-
e.lved BY Leslie G. Cornish, Esq, see
re,ary os the board Of trustees
ArersrA, sept. 90, 1892.
Le.jfe Z. Goraish, Esq. seeretary Trus-
feesof L1hgo,r Librarg:
Yonr letter Of 23d Of Sept. addressed 10
my sister. Miss Ann ". Williams, was duly
received by her, and has been put into nv
hands To make reply
have conferred with my other sisters
Mrs. Helen A. Gilman, and Mrs. Jane +.
Judd. on the snbjecs therein treated, for
they ali prefer tn act jointly with me in any
contribution we may have to make at tb-
time to the library building fnnd.
Let me assure you that all my father
surviving children feel lively interest in
public objects which they believe he, il Nv
ing, would have promoted with his wonte,l
~
thu. "LHhgow Public Library" founded ami
generously endowed by the estimable gen
tleman whose name il bears, would have
had substantial aid at our fathers hands.
which would Justify designating an alcorc
by his name
am authorized to say that your board OF
trustees may reckon upon receiving for
building purposes the sum Of one thousand
dollars prior to the completion of the build
ing you intend to erect on Winthrop street
which amount will be the joint contribution
of myself and the three sisters above named
Yours respectfully,
Signed JosErn II. WILLIAMS,
for himself and sisters.
Hon ReueI Williams, in whose memory
the gift is made was born in augusta then
iisllowelD June 2. 1913. He was educated
in the public schools of the town and at the
Hsllowell Academy. As youth he was
industrious, intelligent AMI of prepossessing
personal appearance and was taken into III"
law office of Judge Bridge who had become
interested in him. He was admitted TO the
bar in 1902. Fortunate investments with
.Indge Bridge in the purchase Uf the " Baker
right in the Plymouth Company and other
tracts of land. made for him large sums Of
money.
When but twenty four years of age he vas
brought into prominence as an attorney by
his connection with Nathan Dane as counsel
for the Plymouth Company in the ease be
fore the commissioners for the sale and set
tlement of the Eastern lands. In 1872,
came into entire possession Of the emoiu-
ments OF the office Mr. Williams acquired
much prominence from his connection with
land eases in which he was remarkabl,
successful. He was straightforward III
rect and pointed in his presentation and ar
gument of eases and was powerful man
before jury.
Nov. ~, 500, he married Sarah Lowell
Cony. daughter of Hon. Daniel Cony.
He entered the Maine Legislature in
J. 22 As representative from this city He
was re Elected for the three following years
then was a member of the Senate for tire"
wears and was again a member of the House
Of Representatives for one year, making in
all eight consecutive years of honorable
service for the interests of the State As Il
legislator During hin term of service he
was untiring in his efforts to secure
the establishment of the State Capitol
at Augusta anal its final location here in 50?
is largely due to him. In 1881 he was
appointed commissioner of public buildings.
completing the State House. He was also
able to decide the location of the Insane
Asylu in this city, by the generous contrl
button of sic 100 lust at time when the
appropriation of $50 600 by the state would
have been otherwise lost Later he acted
as commissioner in the erection of the
huiliings and served for over twenty wears
a. a trustee. declining any compensation
for his services
In lsA1 he was elected to the United
States Senate. succeeding Judge Shepley
but resigned before the expiration of his
term TO attend to his private business. H.
was largely instrumental in securing the
building of the Portland i kennebec Rail
road along the bank of the kennebec river.
lie received the honorary degree of A. VI
from Bowdoin College in 1920 and from
Harvard in 1915 and later received the add
ton degree of LII. u. He was for thirty
eight wears u trustee of Bowdoin College
and upon his resignation presented that
institution with 5000. lie died july
si. 1862. at the advanced age of seventy
nine years LOYAL to the State, he wa,
thrice loyal to his native town. and in many
WAYS he promoted its prosperity. At the
time of his death he was building the large
busines. block on Water street which now
hears his name He is regarded by many
AS Augustus greatest benetactors Fer
sonslly. he was a man of sterling integrity
possessed OF business sagacity. foresight
aud correct Judgment.
IL is understood that ExLiov. Joseph III
Williams has laid aside generous sum In
AID of the Library fund, to be realized at
future time.
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Personal.
NJ Walk,r az Niua III ia Cait-