The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-02-21
POOR'S 5000 FRIEND
GOES TO REWARD
Rev. George F. Williams, Who
Knew More Folks Than Amy
Man in Richmond, Dies.
Became Missionary to Confed-
crate Army During War Be-
tween States and Carried On
Work Many Years.

Funeral services for Rev. George
Franklin williams, who died Thurs
day at the Grace hospital after an
illness of about three weeks, will be
held at o'clock this afternoon at
the Calvary Baptist church. DR..
Charles III. Ryland. librarian OF Rich
mond college. will officlate. He will
be assisted by Rev. DR.. Alfred Baghy
and Rev. c. A. Jenkens, pastor of
the church.
DIR. Williams was born In Ashfield.
Mass. the son of John Williams and
Obedience Todd. He was educated
at the University of Rochester, and
at the Southern Baptist seminary,
now located at Louisville. Ky.
During the War Between the States
he acted as field missionary in Mis-
sissippi and Tennessee to the Con-
federate army. and after the war he
took the pastorate OF a church in Mo-
bile. Ala, where he remained untl
1873 In that year he came to the
city of Richmond and organized the
Venab Street Baptist church. serving
as pastor there until 1850.
In 1850 DIR. Williams accepted the
pastorate of the Ridge Spring IS. c.
bdpAlSk CuafCDs WbiGis tie
for seven years. He then returned to
Richmond and engaged in city mis-
sonary work. which he kept up, al
most until the day Of his death
For the past twenty-five years DIR.
Williams. without remuneration Of
any kind. carried on his work among
the poor of the city. He devoted
himself body and soul. to his self
imposed task Of trying to uplift his
feiiowman. and IL has been said that
he knew more people in Richmond
than any other person. clergyman or
tayman, in this city.
| He was known as the friend OF
the poor man" Ne one, no matter
what his color or creed. was too hum
BILE for him to notice, and to extend
mis- ever-ready hand 10, and for this
reason, II for no other he was loved
and respected by all who knew him.
DIR. Williams was one Of America S
pioneers in prison reform work. II
WIS hts theory tt11t every criminal
no matter what 9as the crime fos
good streak In him. For years he has
met released eonvicts. given them q
good meal. money for a shave. their
railroad fare home, and letters OF
recommendation whereby they Nigh,
secure employment and make fresh
start in life.
In view of the fact that the jaiIs and
State penitentiary have no chaplains
DR.. Williams constituted himself as
chaplain OF those institutions, He
was also appointed guardian OF
the boys of the Laurel Industrial
school.
He won for himself hundreds OF
friends among the working men Of the
city. by conducting daily noon prayer
services in the Cedar works and in the
Locomotive works.
In 1908 he was made superintend-
ent OF the Ex-prisoners' Aid Society
OF Virginia, which office he held VI
to the time of his death.
In 1872 DIR. Williams married Miss
Emma Woodfin, of this city, Mrs
Williams died about three years ago
He is survived By three children
George Beverly Williams and Miss
Bertha r. Williams, of this city, and
Mrs Benjamin .. Cav. of Washing
ton. u c., the wife of Rev. BENJAMIN
d. Cav.
The following will act as honorary
pallhearers at the funeral services:
DR., F. j. Moseley. Burnett Lewis
Charles Hutzler. Captain John Lamb
H Pullen and Rev. Henry Jones, the
latter representing the Baptist Min
listers Conference OF Richmond.
The eight deacons of the Calvary
Baptist church. of which DIR. Williams
was member, will serve as active
pallbearers and vocal selections will
be rendered by Haddon Watkins.