Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-07-20
EX-GOVERNOR WILLIAMS
Passes Away, Sunday Morning, After
Several Months Illness.
A Long Life Of Activity and Distinguished
Public Service.

died at his residence "Oaktrees," in
this city, Sunday morning about 5
o'clock. His last hours We're peaceful
and apparently painless, his life going
SD year. and had been weakened by an
illness which had confined him to his
home most of the time since the 22d
of last February, when he suffered
painful accident. falling and injuring
one hip severely He is survived by
his wife. who for several years has been
an invalid. Their only child, son,
died when about three years old. Three
sisters survive him, Mrs Helen A.
Gilman, widow of the late DIR. John r.
Gilman of Portland, Mrs. Jane E. Judd.
widow of the late Rev Sylvester Judd,
and Miss Ann NJ. Williams.
Joseph Hartwell Williams was the
only son of Hon. Reuel Williams and
Sarah Lowell Cony and was born at
Augusta February Is, 1914. AT the age
Wiscasset under the instruction of
HeZekiah Packard, ID. D., and later
became student in the Gardiner Ly-
ceum. In 1929 he entered the Mount
Pleasant Classical Institute at Am
herst. Mass, and in 1880 was matricu-
lated at Harvard college. from which
he graduated four years later with
high honors. He Immediately began
the study of law, entering the Dane
years under those eminent instructors,
Joseph Story and Benjamin Greenleaf.
He then completed his law studies in
his fathers Office at Augusta. being
admitted to the bar in 1887.
To his chosen profession Mr.. Will
liams assiduously devoted himself. I'M
til other duties later in life made de-
mands upon his attention, and he at
tanned such distinction therein that in
1862 Gov Washburn appointed him to
the supreme bench. an appointment
that Gov. Williams felt obliged to de-
cline owing to the cares deyolving up
| on him by reason of the death of his
father in July of that year Mr.. Will
Hams was identified with the Demo-
cratic party until 1854 when he alb
lslavery continued to shape party is
sues. In 1856 the Republicans elected
him to the State Senate of which he
Twas chosen the presiding officer and
upon the election of Gov. Hamlin to
the United States Senate became Gov
crnor. The duties of that high office
he performed with the ability and
| painstaking care which characterized
him in every position, public or pri-
vate.. He declined to be candidate to
succeed himself and returned the fol-
lowing year to the pursuits of his pro-
| fession. In 1864 and for two years
| following he again represented his
city in the Legislature. During that
period he served on several important
committees and also labored FOR the
| for the payment of the State debt
The bill. which he drafted for that pur
pose became a law Jan. rs. 1865. In
| 1873 he was again returned to the Leg
| islaturc on the Independent ticket. In
| 1877 he was the regular Democratic
nominee for Governor. He was a mem
Der of the first board of directors of
the Maine General Hospital. was
| trustee of the State Reform School,
and served as treasurer Of the board of
trustees of the Cony Female Academy
| from 1851 up to the time of his death.
| Just previous to his marriage in
| 1912, to Apphia Putnam, daughter %
the distinguished antiquarian and gen
ealogist, Sylvester Judd, of Northamp-
| ton. Mass, he built the beautiful res
idence on Stone street, where he has
since resided. Without any attempt at
the pretentious this is one of the finest
residences in the city 1t is surround
ed by spacious grounds. and the name,
"Oaktrees" is suggested by the beau
tiful trees about the house and along
the walks
Mr.. Williams was untiring. conscien
tious in the performance of every
duty and especially every trust i'm
posed on him, and just and scrupu-
lousy exact in all his business rela-
lions. He ably and faithfully admin
istered the large estate left in his
charge by the death of his father.
sacrificing his love for his chosen pro-
fession in order to do so, and always
retained a lively interest in the az
fairs of his city. OF late he devoted
considerable attention to genealogical
research. in his efforts to trace his an
cestry. He had succeeded in ascer-