Evening journal., 1903-11-24
brmer Congressman and
IWeH-KnOWn Divine
and Writer Expires
After Long Illness Was
Prominent Republican
snjamin T. Collins a
Prominent Milford Bus
fness Man Dies From
Worry Over His Busi-
ness Troubles

ie Rev. jonathan S. Willis. one of
best known men in the State. died at
beautiful country home, Glenwood'
Milford, early this morning. Mr..
s had been in for a year. For three
Hlhs he was confined 10 the house
cancer Of the stomach. His wife
daughter. ldrs. George McCallum,
L at his bedside when the end came.
svious to 1885 Mr.. willis was one of
best known Methodist ministers in
section Of dhe country. After the
e date he did not have a regular
ge but took a gnsat interest in church
k. Anter retiring from the ministry
purchased the large estate near Mil
Il Most of his time was spent in look
|bfter his landed interests.
was prominent in Republican poll
and ably represented the State on the
i Of Congress. AS a stump speaker
lleoturer he was always in demand.
tessive and original. he never failed
Lraw a large audience wherever he
Il.
Rev. Jonathan Spencer Willis, son
.yilham B. Willis and Mary Spencer.
i born in Talbot county, MI. His
4 sr served as sheriff Of that county
was a member OF the Maryland Leg
Hare for four years. He was descend
sfom Sir Richard Willis who came so
/ inia early In her colonial history and
up large estates in Virginia. The de-
led was of the eighth generation in
4 line Of descent from Sir Richard
As. The Rev. Willis was the oldest
inc children ana was born April 5,
He grew up on his fathers farm
! oxford, Nd. lie attended the WELL
Hluctesd schools near his home and by
7ime he was thirteen had acquired a
6lete knowledge of the branches
Dat in II. The succeeding year was
Il as a clerk in store at George
ID. C. He Taught in the district
Sls of his native county and as prn-
of an academy for seven years.
Became Minister.
1Is54 Mr.. Willts became a Methodisl
iter in the Philadelphia conference
Il al previously married Ann S. Val.
By whom he had three children whs
Il lin Infancy. Their death was soon fol
by that Of Their mother.
first charge was at Centrevilie
Il His next appointments IN order wer,
den, Dover, Frederlca and Odessa
,G0 he was called TO the Tabernacl,
ch. Philadelphia. he remained ther,
wo years. He then took charge of &
81 on Mt. Vernon street. out Of which
dhe Spring Garden Street Methods
ch.
1864 he accepted a call to the Western
oyterian Church of Philadelphia bu
med at the end of one year and re
d to the Mernodists.
served congregations in New Yorl
Stamford. Conn.
Returned to Delaware.
the spring of 1878 The returned II
Mare. For five and a half years h
kd several churches in the State. il
be located about three -burths of
rorth of Milford on a fne estate h
p Glenwood. Although he retire.
the ministry he did not give up h,
est i'm church work.
Willis was always a diligent stu
Of classical literature He wrot
lsively and for the religious an
ar press. Some of his articles pos
d great merit.
of his largely circulated works wa
Nan With the Iron Mask.
( 1864 he married Annie Townsend. Sh
I'm 1885, from the effects of bein
ed. He married again several year
This wife, a daughter. Mrs. Georg
alum, Of Philadelphia, and j. S
IS, Jr., survive him.
Served in Congress.
politics Mr.. Willis was a Republ
and worked hard for the success q
aarty. He was elected to Congress 4
and took his seat in 1895.
was "A cancHdatef or reelection o
N IlJnion Republican ticket. Robert G
Aton opposed him on the regular Re
can ticket and L. Irving Handy
ocrat, was elected.
len some Of the Democratic member