The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-10-16

sketch of his life printed in the ledger,
it is stated that very early in life he dis
played an inclination to fashion machin-
cry. and as he passed from boyhood into
maturer years the love of mechanics
had inculcated itself firmly within him
and he developed an inventive faculty
which was the forerunner of an event.
full and successful business career.
In 1851 Mr.. Bement settled in Phil.
adelphia and became one of the pro-
prietors of a small machine shop
from which ultimately sprung the
great Industrial Works, which both in
size and prestige are said to equal the
best in America. standing at present
second only to the Whitworth shops in
England. These machine works cover
an entire block in Philadelphia, and
when running on full time employ $50
hands. During the civil war Mr..
Dement'S firm secured many valuable
contracts from the United States Gov
eminent and from that time dates the
prosperity which attended him in
marked degree until in 1888 he retired
from business with an ample fortune.
Mr.. Bement was originally connected
with the Church of the Messiah in
Philadelphia, and while DR.. Williamson
was the pastor, was one of his most
devoted friends and supporters. Their
intimacy dated from Lowell days when
Mr.. Bsment was a working mechanic.
In recent years Mr.. Bement was mem
bsr Of the Church of the Restoration
(Dr. Bisbee's) and the pastor will great
ly miss the partnership of his old
friend.
Some twelve years ago Mr.. Bement
made Tufts College gift of $4,000.
He has been generous also in other de-
nominational directions and aided large
ly in the rebuilding and reconstruction
of the Church of the Restoration.
The Ledger says:
SIN 1888 Mr.. Bement resigned the labor
of management to his sons, and had since
then spent his time in the enjoyment of
well-earned leisure. During his latter
days he had surrounded himself with a
notable collection of works of art and had
aided as Director of the American Acad-
envy of the Fine Arts in the cultivation
of popular taste and in the encourage
ment of artists. His collection was grad
ually accumulated during many years of
study and observation, and, as a conse-
quence, it reflects personal character,
tastes and requirements more distinctly
than the made to- order galleries formed
for wealthy patrons by dealers and agents
are likely to do His artistic treasures
were housed by him in his residence, and
were freely and generously placed at the
service of artists, art students and of in
terested visitors.
sin 1910 Mr.. Bement married Miss Emily
Russell at Royalton, Vermont, who was
the mother of Mr.. Dement'S four children,
three sons and daughter Mrs Bement
died in November, 1894, and on June 2.
last year, Mr.. Bement was married to
Miss Mary o. Stearns, of New York, a
daughter of Thomas Green Stearns, form
erly silk merchant of that.~.city, and
later prominent railroad figure in Nova
Scotia
The death of Mr.. Bsment, at ripe
old age. removes another of the old
friends of the family of the Editor of
The UNIvERsALIsT. We remember him
gratefully for his uniform goodness to
DR.. Williamson and Mrs. Williamson
during seasons of affection, when DR..
Williamson for weeks and sometimes
months at time was cared for with
tenderest solicitude in his Ipalatial
home. One by one these old friends
drop away. Blessed is the thought that
earthly partings are followed by heavenly
reunions. DR.. Williamson and..William
B. Bement were life long and very de
voted friends. 1t is pleasant to think Of
them as now once again united in more
than fraternal bonds.