The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-16
DEATH OF DR.. F. 7. WILLIS.
The End Of His Life Came After Ten
Days Of Illness.
SKETCH OF HIS U.EPUL CAREER.
He Was Educated as Physician But soon
Gave Up the Practice of His Profession
to Manage Large Business Enter
prises--A Native of Georgia.

DR. Francis r. Willis died at his resi-
deroe. No. 2i1 east Franklin street, about
a quarter past 10 O'Clock last night.
lie had been III eight days. on Friday
January eth, he was down town attend
ing TO some business matters Tshtn he
| was taken with a chill. which was fol-
| lowed by fever. The Doctor was carried
home in his carriage and DR. Stuart Nc
| Guirc called in.
Or Mcclure AT once discovered that lis
patient was the victim Of severe attack
| Of TLeumonia. His condition was serious
from the first day he had to take his bed
| DR.. Mcclure vas in attendance upon
him daily At times Dr Willis appeared
TO improve somewhat. Yesterday after
noon he had a sinking spell, and when
Or. Mcclure saw him at o'clock he
stated that his patient would not live
more than forty-eight hours.
DR. McGui.e returned 10 Or. Willis
| residence soon after 10 o'clock and found
| ths Doctor ie al. lie had breathed his
| last a few minutes before the arrival OF
! the physician. The only persons present
| at his death were Mr.. J.. J. Wills. the
| grandson and adopted child Of the de-
ceased and the family servants. SO
| peacefully AMI quietly did death come
that those i'm the room did not know
that life was extinct until Or. Mcclure
| announced that he was dead
SKET II OF HIS LIFE.
Dr. Willis was born in the town of
| Washington, Wilkes county. Ga.. on the
ith Of June, lSlG. His family was from
| Virginia and was among the oldest as well
| as tho most distinguished settlers I'm
| Gloucester county. where their name is
yet perpetuated i'm Willis creek.
He was educated for the practice Of
medicine. but followed the profession
only few years His clear strong head
| and aptitude for business soon took him
into other pursuits and he became a
marked man I'm financial affairs. lie
| was made president Of the Savannah and
| Augusta railroad and moved to Sayan-
| nah 10 reside.
A UNION MAN
| During the war Dr. Willis was Union In
| his sentiments and he never failed 10 eX-
! press hts opinions. His courage was un-
| ninching. Ills son. Colonel Edward
/ Willis DISTINGUISHED himself i'm the Con-
| federate army. and served under Stone
wall Jackson and afterwards commanded
the Twelfth Georgia Regiment. iie pos
sessed General r.. T.. Lees confidence and
on the library walls OF Or. Wills resi-
dcnce there now hangs framed an auto
! graph letter from General Lee 10 Colonel
| Willis marked CONFIDENTIAL in which
| special instructions are given by the
| General-in Chief 10 the Colonel
Colonel Willis was killed I'm battle, the
very day he WAS made brigadier-geueral
and his remains are now inferred in
! Hollywood.
HIS FAMILY.
Early I'm life DR.. Willis married Miss
! Elizabeth Butler. who was the playmate
and schoolmate Of his childhood. No
! marriage was ever more fun of sent-
| ment.
Three children. all now dead. grew 10
! maturity. two sons, of whom one has been
described and a daughter Mary. who
married Captain Pembroke Jones. Of the
! Confederate Navy. and died some years
ago. leaving a son. Mr. Edward Jones
Willis. Of this city who IS well known for
his scientific attainmonts and as engineer
OF the Traction Company.
Or Willis has no other descendant sur
vivinG him.
Soon after the war DR.. Willis moved
/
| for some time lived IN the country, first
near WaTenton and then near Gordons-
Vile.
In 1865 he moved 10 Richmond and about
| 1870 bought the handsome residence on
| Franklin. where he lived until his death.
HIS CHARACTER
Tho character of DR.. willis was
remarkable. He was tho impcr-
sonation Of strict integrity. His ac-
curacy on every matter of scientific asd
business detail was almost unerring. His
| business judgment was clear and indepen-
dent Personally ne was the most genial
OF hosts and delighted IN hospitality.
Though not professor OF religion he
was Of n decidedly religious nature and
contributed to the churches and to chari-
| ties.
| Or. Wills was n gentleman n retiring
/ disposition His acquaintance with the
| people of Richmond was somewhat limit
ed. lie had his intimate friends and
these were devoted 10 him. lie was "a
| man Of the most refined tastes p lover Of
/ art and Of literature. Few mon i'm Rich
mond were more familiar with Shakes
/ pearc than he.
! HAD TRAVELLED EXTENSIVELY.
| The doctor had travelled exten,velv
! and had rare collection Of curious and
| fine paintings. During the latter years
Of his life he lived In his fine old mansion.
| where he died. with only mis- grandson
/ and MS faithful old family servant.
His home was most delightful place
| 10 those who were so fortunate as 10 be
intimate with him. lie was charming
entertainer
| DR. Willis always manifested pride IN
! his adopted city and he helped along
many struggling enterprises with his
ample mans.
/ lie was man Of most charitable dis
! position but one would know little NJ hts
goodness Of heart for he always shrunk
| from anything mat was calculated 90
cause people 10 talk OF his deeds
few years ago he established a fine
| public library in Washington. Ga. in
honor Of the memory of his daughter.
WEALTHY MAN.
In the death OF Dr.. willis there passes
away one of the wealthiost men Of this
city and State. Contrary 10 the usual
rule. however he was not at all widely
| known, owing 10 his quiet habits. and
almost recluse-like manner OF living For
! years past he has resided I'm his imposn.
! residence on Franklin street, the quiet Of
J bis life being varied only by a brief visit
| each day 10 the business portion OF the
city to look after his large interests.
OF late years DIR. Willis had become
/ very inirm. and II was with difficulty
that he could walk from his carria 70
across the Sidewalk 20 any office which
he wished 10 visit. His bowed form had
become familiar 10 persons up and down
| Main street. but few knew him.
DR.. Wills life has been a record OF