The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1910-12-22
Joseph Williamson, ESQ.
Representative-elect Of Aueusta.

Representative-elect Of Augusta,
Every one calls him "Joe" Williamson
for two reasons: First, because that was
what he was called in Bowdoin during
his college days and next because he Is
such big, strapping fellow that the
name seems to fit him now that he has
become more dignified than he was when
he played on Bowdoin's crack ball team.
He is son-in. law of Congressman
Edwin c. Burleigh, but is Democrat of
Democrats although como cted by mar
riage to the staunch Republican family
of central Maine. 1t takes courage to
be Democrat in family like that, es-
pecially when your father-in-law runs
for office on the same ticket as yourself
and is defeated, perhaps largely because
of the son-in-law's popularity and hard
work. And not only that but an oppos-
ing candidate to "Joe" Williamson in
the last election was his brother-in-law
Lewis A. Burleigh, one of the best Rep
resentatives Augusta ever had in the
legislature and one who will be heard
from in the future, not because his faith
er was governor of Maine and con-
gressman, but because Lewis A. Bur
leigh has the making of a strong man
himself and this fact is generally recog-
nized by everyone.
little difference to "Joe" Williamson.
though he is a Democrat. He comes
from Democratic stock ANYWAY. His
father was the late Joseph Williamson
of Belfast, where Joe was born and went
to school,
Joe Williamson went to Bowdoin in
1884 and graduated in the class of 1888.
While there he was distinguished for
many things, but above everything else
because he could play ball better than
many others and made good in emer-
gencies when good ball playing was nee
essary to help Bowdoin win the champi-
onship. He was then, and is today, big
fellow, weighing right around 200
pounds and when he donned base ball
uniform he looked bigger than the side
of house.
If the writer recalls correctly ''Joe"
Williamson in his senior year in Bowdoin
was playing out in the field. 1t was the
hottest championship series the Maine
colleges had known in years. They had
such men on Colby as Wagg and up in
the Maine University were playing Small
and Rogers, who were 'stars." Bowdoin
had little Fish behind the bat and some
good pitchers, one of whom little later,
by the way, was Lewis A. Burleigh. But
in this season Williamson distinguished
himself as batsman and base runner.
He was always to be depended upon to
land a base hit at critical time and
often got three Dagger or home run.
And when the crack of the ball on the
bat came it was revelation to players
and spectators to see this big ice wagon
timber up and make first, steal second or
get home by narrow margin. More
than once they would have carried the
big, good natured fellow off the field on
their shoulders down at Bowdoin, but it
would have taken corps of athletes to
have done so and Joe's consent, too, for
he was mighty powerful man.
When he got through Bowdoin Joe
Williamson went on the Kennebec Jour-
nal as a reporter and then studied law in
to the bar at Belfast in 1891. He prac-
ticed in that city until 1893 and then
moved to Augusta and became member
of the firm of Burleigh, Williamson and
Mclean, Lewis A. Burleigh his brother
in-law being a member Of the firm. In
1891 he married Vallie, the second daugh-
ter of Hon. E. C. Burleigh, and has two
sons, one of whom is now a student at
Bowdoin and following right along in his
fathers footsteps.
Politically Joe Williamson has always
been active but in somewhat quiet way.
He has never been converted to Republi-
canism, although undoubtedly his family
connections have been such that this
would have been brought about if it
were possible to have done so. AS a
lawyer he has handled many big cases
and has a most enviable reputation.
When arousedshe is stirring talker and
in counsel is said to be man of great
force and ability. Of course he is
Knight Templar, a Knight of Pythias
and an Elk. He is a trustee of the Lith-
gov public library, of the Augusta Trust
Company, Stockton Springs Trust Com
pany and Waldo Trust Company of Bel
fast. In 1906 he was city clerk of Au-
gusta and was an alderman in 1909 and
1910.
In the 18th legislature he will be
Democratic leader. Great things are
expected of him and rightly so, for he
has all the elements of a successful lead
err of men. He is good natured, loyal to
his friends and principles, generally es
teemed and respected, and an all round
good fellow" Keep your eyes on the
old Bowdoin base runner. He'll bear
watching in this Democratic year.