Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-10-03
PORTRAITS OF old MAYORS
Hon. N. C. Williamson and Hon.
John M. Turner.
PRESENTED TO THE MUNICIPALITY
Through the Efforts of Henry
G. Conrad.
The List is Now Complete with the Ex-
ception of Six Pictures, Which 1t is
Hoped win be Obtaihed-To Grace the
Walls of the Mayors Office.

Hoped VIII be Obtained-To Grace the
Walls of the Mayors ohice.
For some time City Council and other
city officials have been making an effort
to get complete set of portraits of ex-
mayors of Wilmington to be placed on
the walls Of the mayors office at the
City Hall, and now all but six have
been obtained, two in addition to those
already in the possession of the city
being presented to Council at its meet
ing Thursday by former City Solicitor
Henry q. Conrad. The portraits are
those of Hon. Nicholas Gilpin William
son, who was the second mayor OF the
city, and John M. Turner, who was
mayor from 1868 to 1865. Mr.. Conrad
made an interesting presentation speech
and the pictures were received on be-
half of the Mayor and Council by City
Solicitor Reinhadt. On motion Of
Councilman Smith, Council gave.
rising vote of thanks to the donors.
Mr.. Conrad's speech gave biographi-
cal sketch OF Messrs. Williamson and
Turner.
HON. NICHOLAS G. WILLIAMSON.
Mr.. Williamson, he stated, was
son of Adam Williamson, by bis wife
Mary lGilpin), and was born at his
parents residence. in Brandywine hun
dred. New Castle county, on November
8th, 1777. and died in this city on
October 18th, 1s43. He enjoyed the
advantages Of good education and
selected the law for profession, and
after q due course of study under the
Hon. Caesar A. Rodney, he was ad-
mitted to the New Castle county bar
and engaged in practice in Wilmington,
then, as now, the largest municipality
in the State. lie took an active interest
in public affairs and in 1910 was chosen
member of the Legislature, and was
re- elected the four following years. On
January 7th, 1914, he was comm missioned
| by Gov. Rodney as cornet OF the Will
mington Troop Of Horse. In 1920 he
was appointed postmaster of Whining
ton by President Monroe and was re-
appointed by Presidents John Quincy
Adams, Andrew jackson and Martin
Van Buren, but was removed by Presi-
dent William Henry Harrison. fter
the death of President Harrison be was,
however, reappointed by President Tyler
and retained the position until his
death. In 1882 ho was elected alder
man of Wilmington, being the first to
fill that office. Two years later be to- :
came the second mayor of the city.
| which position he also Retained until
his death. A local newspaper of tin
day, commenting upon bis decesse, said
| He was faithful 10 the performances af all
his public trusts, honest in the discharge of
all his duties, both public and prisatc,
highly esteemed By his fellow citizens ard
devotedly loved by every member OF his
family. His death is regretted by all, md
our city mas been shrouded in gloom in con
sequence of his loss.
His residence in Wilmington was at
the northwest corner OF Third and Ship
| ley streets. He was prominent meln-
ber of the Masonic fraternity in Della
ware and is said to have been the first
| person made Freemason uDder the
Grand Lodge Of the State. He was
elected worshipful master of Washing
ton Lodge December, 1873. and with
drew from that lodge in 1924 to become
a charter member Of Lafayette Louge.
In 1889 he was junior grand warden of
the Grand Lodge. He married, May
14th, 1907, Sarah Emerson Loockerman,
daughter of Vincent Loockerman, Jr.,
OF Dover, by is wife, Mary Chew
Knight Mrs. Williamson died April
18th, 1867. Mr. Williamson died in his
| Goth year, after long and useful
career. He was buried in the Friends
| burying ground, at Fourth and West
streets. The photograph presented to
the CITY was copied from an oil paint
ing made by Otis after Williamson's
death and was presented by Mr.. Will
hanson g daughter, Mrs. Elba Phleger,
who for many years has resided In Phila-
delphia.
Adam Williamson. father of Nicholas
G. Williamson, removed from Pennsyl-
vania to Brandywiue hundred In or
prior to the year l774.
HON. JOHN NJ. TURNER.
Hon. John NJ. Turner was born In
Alexandria, Va, June 21st, 1887. He
came to Wilmington when young. He
had learned the trade Of scarpenter and
followed 1t here. being a contractor and
builder. He erected some of the most
important buildings in. the city, in.
Guiding 2. James Belts drug store at
Sixth and Market streets and st. Paul's
M. f. Church. Among his apprentices
we're Thomas Dixon, who afterward be-
came a noted architect in Baltimore,
and Joseph Il. Smith, who became
| Methodist minister and now has an
important charge in Washington. He
afterwards carried on the baking bust
ness at Sixth and French streets, then
went into the coal business on Water
street between King and French. being
succeeded there by his son, John H.
Turner. He was always strong Wing
up to the time of the Civil War, when
he became Republican. At ore time
he was superintendent of lighthouses
| in this district. He served many years
in City Council, part of the time as
president. While serving in that
capacity, in 1868, Mayor Vincent @.
Gilpin died and he succeeded Mr..
Gilpin, filling out his term, which ex-
pired in 1865. He was devout
Methodist and in his early years was
member of Asbury Church. Later he
Joined st. Paul's Church and was a
member there at the time of his death,
His wife was Mary Garland. They had
10 children, and three sons John H.
Turner, Robert @. Turner and Calvin
@. Turner, are now living in this city.
He died March 9Th, 1878. aged rs
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