The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-03-01
APPRECIATION
-, "a , g.
john LanabGurne Williams.

Richmond, his birthplace and the place of his
life work, lost last week in the death Of John
Langbourne Williams valuable citizen of the
type OF men who have made Virginias capital
the flourishing. progressive city that it is. Born
in 1881, trained at Richmond Academy and
graduated with the degree of master OF arts at
the University Of Virginia he at first in
cined to enter the law. and for short time
while preparing himself for the legal profession
he taught school in Essex County, Virginia At
the age Of twenty seven. though, he became
connected with the banking house Of Lancaster
a Company, and maintained relations with
1t until the close of the Beginning banking
on his own account and in small way, he lived
to the house of John L. williams & Sons
power in the country's financial affairs es-
pecially as they concerned the South.
1t required courage and determination OF a
high order to start banking institution in
Richmond within few months after the close
Of hostilities in the sixties and marked per-
sonal ability to bring It to commanding po-
sition. In those days there was much inclna-
1on among the younger men of the South to
seek careers anywhere but in their native States
The country whole was bettered by the
migration Of those young Southerners, but their
own section suffered IN proportion. John l.
Williams was one OF those who found his call
IN his birthplace. He notably equipped
-
He had faith In his city. State and section and
confidence in himself From small beginnings
his business grew until his banking house be-
came an important factor in material develop
inent. not only In Richmond but in many other
parts of the South particularly as that devel-
opment called for the building up OF street rail-
ways and steam roads Starting in Richmond
with the first electric railway line that was
a commercial success, this business of financ-
ing such roads extended to lines in other vir-
ginia cities in Tennessee in Georgia and in
Maryland. and his astute and farseeng mind
ana energy made possible the Seaboard Air
Line Railway and the Georgia and Florida
Railroad. With him came to be associated In
time four of his six sons and a son-in-law, upon
whom he left an impress for the benefit of
themselves and of every activity in which they
should be engaged that may hardly be estimated
fully
His strongest character found expression in
other lines than finance. close student Of
literature and public affairs from his young
manhood to the last Of his days. he was a fire.
quent contributor to the columns of the secular
and religious press, and all of his writings
revealed original spirit kept well in hand
by his natural good Judgment and conservatism.
In parish activities OF the church of his choice
ellis he was diiigent and efficient for nearly
sixty years, and executive officer in
number OF Richmond and Virginia religious and
philanthropic undertakings. Married in 1864
he had the happiness to have with him to the
las all his family save one child of nine AS
Ia financier he the soul of integrity q. a
citizen eyer-freyh source OF public spirit
and as man an eNeTnptier OF the domestic
and social virtues that only TO the advan-
tage of the community fortunate enough to
enjoy their daily manifestation.-Man cturer,
Record