St. Paul daily globe., 1895-04-30

auspices of that order, probably on
Thursday, though the exact time has
not yet been fixed. ST.. Paul. Lodge,
No. 2 will have direct charge, as that
was the lodge to which Mr.. Williams
belonged, joining it in 1855, but all
the other lodges are holding meetings
to arrange for participating in the
last ceremony over the body of their
deceased brother.
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
John Fletcher Williams was the
descendant of the seventh generation
of John Williams, a native of Clam
organshire, Wales. His parents, who
were both natives of Pennsylvania,
were pioneers of the state Of Ohio.
He was born in Cincinnati on Sept.
25, 1884. He was educated at Wood
ward college in that city and also at
the Ohio Wesleyan university at
Delaware, O., graduating in a scien-
tific course from the latter institution
in 1852 He afterward spent some
time in an attempt to learn engraving,
but on coming to st. Paul in 1855,
changed his calling to that of a
newspaper man, taking charge Of the .
local department of the Daily Mime
sotan.
Mr.. Williams met with such sue
cess in his new field that he con-,
tinued to work therein for period
of twelve years, being employed at
various times on the Minnesotan,
the Daily Pioneer. the Daily Press
and the Dispatch. His always hav-
ing had fondneSs for writing, ar
ticles on the early history of Mime
sofa and biographical sketches of the
pioneers of the state, and having ac-
quired some experience in this line
of work, led to his being made secre-
tary and librarian of the State His
torical society in January, 1867. Two
years later he quit newspaper work
to devote himself to the work of up
building the Siciety. Since then he
continued to give his best efforts
to that work until a few years ago,
gathering up a splendid library and
d large collection of historical relics,
picking up material for Minnesota
history and writing books and papers
| bearing thereon for the published
| collections of the society and other
works. Owing to his untiring efforts
| the collection of the society has
| grown from a handful of books until
| it is second to none in the country.
THE LARGEST WORK
prepared by Mr.. Williams was the
History of SIT. Paul and Ramsey
County" published in 1876 On ac-
count of his interest in the subject
of history he was complimented by
election as corresponding or hon
orary member of the thirteen histori-
cad and geological sections in the
| United States. He was also a mem
| Der of the American Historical as
| Sociation. He was for six years a
member of the st. Paul board of
education. In 1873 he was appointed
by President Grant as commissioner
from Minnesota to the Philadelphia
| exposition.
Mr.. Williams has been connected
with the Odd Fellows since 1856, and
| has been llonored by election time
| and again to high positions in the
order. He was grand secretary, grand
master and for twenty years grand
scribe of the grand encampment.
He was also representative to the
sovereign grand lodge. For nearly
| three years past his mind had been
failing, being affected with softening
Of the brain in consequence of his
close application to books. He was
very studious, and after finishing
his daily labors in the rooms Of the
historical society he would often
read and study at home until far
into the night.
In 1892 he went to California in
hopes of regaining his former men
tai vigor, but in the spring of~1S93
he returned without having materi-
ally improved. That fall Mr.. John
son was appointed his guardian, and
he was sent to a private sanitarium
in Milwaukee. where he remained
until short time ago, when it be-
came evident that nothing could be
done for him, and he was brought
home. A few days later he was sent
to the asylum at Rochester.
Mr.. Williams was married in 1857
ito Miss Kate Roberts, a native of
Utica, n. Y, who, with four chill
dren. survive him. Mrs. Williams
and the youngest daughter reside at
29 Iglehart street, another daughter
is married in Milwaukee, and a son
named Lewis lives in Denver. The
members of the. family living outside
the city have all been notified, and
will undoubtedly be present at tine
funeral. kilograms have also. been
sent to all the officers of the Odd
Fellows grand lodge, and they will
attend. The funeral services will be