Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-14
PASSES A MILESTONE
Henry A. Willard Celebrates
Anniversary.
.EIGHTY-SIX YEARS OF AGE
Receives Congratulations of Friends
by the Score.
HOST AT A LUNCHEON TODAY
Sketch of Career of Prominent and
Respected Citizen-Identifed
With City's Progress.
HOST AT A LUNCHEON TODAY

Henry Augustus Willard. regarded as
one of the prominent and most respected
citizens of this city, and one who has
been closely identified with the growth
and progress of the National capital for
more than half century. celebrated the
eighty-sixth anniversary of his birth at
his residence. 1888 K street. today, sur
rounded by three generations of his fam
lily and a host of neighbors and friends
including members of the Association Of
Oldest 1nhabit ants. of which he Is one OF
the honored vice presidents
Preceding an elaborate luncheon a re-
ception was held in the library OF the
residence, where Mr.. and Mrs. Willard
their son, Henry Kellogg Willard, and his
wife, and the children of the latter cou-
pie. Henry Augustus Willard, second; Will
liam Bradley Willard and Sarah kellogg
Willard. received the guests. On the man.
tel rested a magnificent bouquet Of eighty
six American beauty roses, the Gift of
the family. with a beautiful cluster Of
carnations. the offering of Mrs. Willard
The floral offerings also included d large
bouquet from the Association of Oldest
Inhabitants, clusters of. American beauty
roses from Mrs c. c. Willard, James S.
Morrill, and Henry W. Reed pink carna-
tons arom Miss Ida Thompson. a large
cluster of pink roses from Mrs. w. r.
Wallace and Mrs. Virginia Thompson
and in addition a dining room table, pre-
sented by the three grandchildren, Will
liam Augustus. second; William Bradley
and Sarah Kellogg Willard. and Mr.. and
Mrs. Henry Kellogg Willard.
Mr.. Charles Kennedy, who is eighty
nine years OF age. recited one of the
poems of Tom Moore, appropriate to the
occasion. MIR. Kennedy is the father-in-
1I1a of Prldnlnh l. 9,lfpy,
Above the cabinet which held the pres
ents received by Mr.. and Mrs Willard on
their golden wedding anniversary. Novem-
Der &. 1905, rested a large photograph OF
the members. of the Association of the
Oldest Inhabitants OF the District of Co
lumbia. with which Mr.. Willard has been
connected for many years, and of which
he is now one of the vice presidents The
photograph was taken a year ago. on Mr.
Wizards eighty-htfh anniversary.
Native of Vermont
Henry Augustus Willard was born in
Westminster, VT. May IA, 1922. He was
the son of Joseph Willard and Susan Orr
Clapp Willard. On his fathers side he is
descended from Maj. Simon Willard, who
came from Horsmonden, Kent, England
to Boston in May. 1854, and later removed
to Concord, where he held various posi-
tons of trust during long and distin-
guished career. serving in command of
colonial forces in the Narragansett war
and, in 1915, in King Philips war. On
his mothers side Mr.. Willard is descend
ed from Joseph Dorr, one Of the famous
Boston tea party.
Mr. Wizards career has been that of a
rugged. sterling, selfmade man. AS a
bow he worked on a farm in summer to
earn money with which to pay for his
schooling in winter. When had he be-
l., ,n;p Sr, s.tn n,t al
lows Falls, VT, and later was "a clerk in
Chases Hotel, Brattleboro. From Brat
tleboro, ii young man of twenty-one.
he went to Troy. n. Y, and was steward
on the New York and Troy steamboat
line plying on the Hudson between New
York and Troy. 1t was while thus en-
Moved that he met Mrs. Phoebe Warren,
a sister of Mr.. Benjamin Ogle Taylor.
through whose influence he was persuaded
to come here in 1S4I, when he opened the
Wizards Hotel. Mr.. Willard managed
Wizards Hotel alone until 1853. when his
brother Joseph became his partner, and
| the two brothers conducted the hotel
until 1861. when they leased 1t to other
ma rites by whom it was conducted until
| Isoo Mr.. Willard in 1892 sold his inter
! es, in the hotel to his brother Joseph
| The site of the present Occidental Hotel
| was occupied In war times as a part OF
the Willard Hotel property.
Identified With Growth Of City.
The history of Henry A. Willard is in
timately associated with the business
| growth of Washington. He was the first
of five brothers to come here. and i'm
mediately prior to that time he conducted
a hotel at Old Point Comfort. All his
| brothers. 1t is said. owe their start in l1fe
| to him. Mr.. Willard has been largely
identified with Washinston's financial in
| stitutions. He organized and was the
| first president of the National Savings an,
Trust Company in 1861 He was vice
president of the board of public works
under President Grant. body to which
modern Washington largely owes its eA
| iStence.
Mr.. Willard was one of Gov. Shepherd