Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-07-31


Some, however, of Mr. Williamsons
friends have noticed and commented
upon the fact that for the last few
months he did not seem to be enjoy
ing his usual health, and letter left
by him and dated on the morning of
his death made it clear that his ae-
ton was due solely to failing health
and mental fatigue, and in no way
due to family or business troubles.
Few men in Augusta, if any. or in
the State for the matter of that, had
wider acquaintance or bigger cir
Gle of admirers and friends than had
Mr.. Williamson. In college and law
school, as newspaper reporter, as law
yer and as law maker. as business
associate, he had gathered friends
and had held them by honest and
loyal friendship. His smile and
kindly words were contagious. Al
ways a gentleman of cordial yet dig
nified bearing, his presence lent
optimism and courage to any cause or
gathering.
But in the brilliant career of this
splendid citizen an attack of melan-
cholia worked sudden disaster. Every
characteristic of his life and convic
tons was violated in the unexpected
mental explosion that directed his last
act.
Mr.. Williamson was a successful
lawyer, had been an active, earnest,
clear-headed law maker, always a
consistent Democrat honored and re-
spected by his party, had been a con-
scientious county attorney and. above
all. was a loving and indulgent hus-
band and father and good citizen. He
will be missed and mourned as few
men are. Our community is saddened
by a bolt from clear sky. And to Mr..
Williamson's family goes the sympa-
thy of all
AT the time of his appointment by
Governor Haines as a member of the
Maine Public Utilities Commission, the
following brief sketch of Mr.. William
sons life was published and was wide.
~ copied, for he was widely known:
THE naming of Hon. Joseph Will
hanson of Augusta for membership in
the Public Utilities Commission, is
gratifying to Democrats all over Maine
and host of Republican friends and
admirers. Genial Joe" is known all
over Maine A staunch Democrat he
holds the entire respect of political
opponents. who know him above party
politics.
"Mr. Williamson was born in Belfast,
Me, Feb. Ia, 1869, the son of Joseph
and Ada Hortense (Peirce) William
son. He graduated from Belfast High
school, in 1884 and from Bowdoin Col
lege, in 1888. He was newspaper
reporter in Augusta, in 1859. He
studied law at Boston University, and
was admitted to the bar at Belfast, in
1891 Practiced at Belfast, 1913, and
at Augusta since 1898. as member of
the firms of Williamson & Burleigh,
and of Williamson, Burleigh 81 Nc
Lean. He was married Nov. 10, 1891,
to Vallie, second daughter of Hon. e.
c. Burleigh of Augusta, and has two
sons, one of whom is a student at
Bowdoin College. He is a member of
Trinity Commandery, K. T., Calanthe
Lodge. K. of p, and Augusta Lodge,
B. P. o. E. Is a trustee of the Lith-
gov Public Library and of Augusta
Trust Co., Stockton Springs Trust Co.,
and Waldo Trust Co at Belfast Was
city clerk in 1906, alderman in 1909 and
1910. and for many years a member of
the Democratic city committee. He
was a member of the House in the
18th Legislature"
The foregoing sketch should be sup
plemented by Mr.. Williamson's efficient
and notable record as county attorney
of Kennebec, and his recent election
to the board of overseers of Bowdoin
College.
The immediate relatives surviving
are Vallie b. widow. William and
Robert sons, the former manager OF
the Maine Transportation Co. and Co
lonial Theatre the latter member
of the class of 1915, Cony High school,
and two sisters, Miss Ada William
son of Boston and Mrs. Albert PIERCE
| of Frankfort, Maine.