Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-16
DIES In HIS OLD AGE.
DIR. r. r. WILLIS PASSES AWAY IN
HIS HOME ON FRANKLIN STREET.
ONE OF The OLDEST CITIZENS HERE.
Active Up TO the Time of His Demise.
He Brenthes His Inst Before His
Friends Realize Tint the End Is
at Hand.
at Hand.

DR. Francis Thomas Willis, one OF the
oldest and best-known citizens of Rich
mond. died last night at 1913 o'clock, at
his residence, No 2lf east Franklin street,
IN the S2d year OF his age. The end came
peacefully and quietly. and those around
him at the last hour were not aware that
death was In their midst until the at
tending physician. Or. Stuart Mcclure.
entered the bed-chambor "A few moments
after DIR. Willis had breathed his last
and informed the watchers that the spirit
had departed and that their vigil was
over.
The deceased. while being IN very
feeble condition on account OF his OLD
age, was enjoying his usual health untii
Friday. the It'll instant, when he was
taken with a chill in the office OF John
l.. Williams & Co. He was Immediately
sent TO his residence. where in Few
hours fever set In, and it was ascertalned
that pneumonia was the disease from
which he was suffering. DR.. Stuart NC
CURE who attended him. realized that
the patient had little chance OF recovery
DR.. Mcclure called TO see his patient last
night AT o'clock he saw that death was
only n question OF a few hours. upon
calling again about two hours ater ne
found. as stated above, that deatn hau
lust knocked at the door.
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
The deceased was born in Washington
Wilkes county, Ca, in 1916. He hVed IN
his native State until after the war
where ne engaged in several business en-
ternrises He was for some years presi-
dent of the Augusta and Savannah rall-
road. he was qualified to practice medi-
eide. but only pursued this profession loI
about a year. preferring a business ne
He has left In his native town inonu-
ment to his memory in the shape OIL .ne
Mary Wills-Jones Library. when ne
endowed and which was erected as me-
mortal to his only daughter. ..o
The deceased came to this state IN looo'
having then retired from business. he
located in this city, and about 1869 pur-
chased the residence in which ne feslueu
at the time Of his death.
While he adhered TO his determination
not to engage actually in business, ne
became a director in several companies,
among them being the Virginia Fire ana
Marine Insurance Company.
The deceased also purchased farm IN
Fauquier county, on which his daughter'
Mrs. Jones, lived and where ne olteh
visited her, spending nearly every sum
mer at this country place during MS ne
time He also became the owner OIL
farm near Charlottesville.
A STRONG UNION MAN.
DR.. willis married Miss Elizabeth But
Ter. of Georgia, who was a schoolmate Vi
his. He was a strong Union man, sympa-
thizing little with the South, but notwllh-
standing this, his son was brigadler-
general in the Confederate army and met
his death on the field of battle fighting
for the lost cause. This son now rests
in HOLLYWOOD Cemetery. The only daugh-
ter of DR.. Willis married Captain Penn
broke Jones. of the Confederate navy,
and their son. Mr.. Edward Jones Wills
il the nearest living relative or the de-
ceased. He is resident Of this city, be-
ing an engineer for the Traction Com
pany. 49,.
The deceased was man Of the strict
est integrity. and his business dealings
were always Just He was scientlhc IN
his attachments and elegant in his tastes.
without ever having made public pro-
fession of religion. he was religious
man. and was an attendant upon 81
Paurs church.
ACTIVE IN HIS OLD AGE.
Though i'm recent years his steps was
slow and feeble. and 1t was with diihculty
that he walked, yet his bent form was a
familior sight on the business part OF
Main street. and this spirit OF activity
remained with him until the last for the
effects Of the fatal disease which caused
his death were first felt, as stated, in the
office of John L. Williams &c Co., where
he was a frequent visitor.
The funeral will take place from ST
Paurs church, but the arrangements have
not vet been made.
A stnge AnecdOte of Booth.