The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-02-12
Had Been Connected With
Banking Business in Rich
mond Since 1853
Was Dean of
City S Financiers
Saw Richmond Rise From Its
Ashes and Was Large Fac
tor In Business Resurrection
of South

With the death, early this morn.
ing OF John Langhourne Williams,
dean of Richmond bankers, came the
end of ono OF the most remarkable
of careers Mr.. Williams. stricken
with paralysis about one month ago,
died az his hore. 315 East Grace
street shortly after o'clock.
Surrounding the bedside, as he pass
ed peacefully away, were ali the nlein-
Eers Of the immediate family with the
exception of one son, Lancaster Will
liams. of Baltimore, who IL now on
his way to this city, having been CALI
ed back to Richmond Immediately
after he reached Baltimore.
Lancaster Williams left Ricninoad
Yesterday afternoon for Baitlmire, De-
lievinc his father in no immediate
danger of death. his condition during
the last few days having been such
that hope was entertained for par
tial recovery If his health, at least.
During the last three weeks Mr.. Will
liams lowered between life and death
&nd during most Of this time all
members Of the family We're With
him, He was unconscious at times,
conscious at others, and when con-
scious he was in complete possession
OF the wonderful faculties that made
aim tbs, leader he had been.
Yesterday afternoon Mr., Williams
had a period of consciousness which
appeared TO promise prolongatton or
life He conyersed with members or
the family and his cheerful self was
asserted Late in the evening there
came a sinking spell and with few
hours the spirit took its flight
Life Was Happy Ono.
The Nfe Just ended was happy ~
well as long, prosperous and useful.
II falls seldom to the lot OF man 10
live for nearly eightyfive years, ana
seldom il is that man lives SO long
in the one community. serving AZ.
a iding I'm it's development and growth
and growing with it, And during tho
nearly eighty-aye years of his life.
ms he went through the yenrs--a God
fearing man and one who was keenly
sy,upathetic with his feilowmen---
+ here vas LITTLE of sorrow or unhappi-
ness To break the peaceful run.
Bat once had the death angel In
.%aded his home. or the nine chit
dren. all grew into MANHOOD or woIn
anhood and today there arc eight
living. The one break in the family
circle was that which came in the
passing OF daughter, just as she
attained wouanhood II was in her
memory that Memorial Hospital was
erected
Mrs. williams. who was Maria Ward
sare: John shelton Williams. comps
4rolier of the currency. United States
Treasury Department; Mrs. II, l.. Be-
miss. Il. Lancaster Williams +. Ram
dolph Williams. Langbourne Nj. Will
lliams, DR.. Ennion g. Williams, OF the
State Department OF Pubic Heaitn,
Mrs. Louis C. Williams and Berkeley
Williams. All live in this city with
the exception OF Lancaster Williams,
whose home In In Baltimore 50
not only had Mr. Williams lived many
years in the one community. but no
lived nearly all of them surrounded
by every member OF his family. Mr.
Williams married Miss Shelton IN
Powhatan County. October 10, 1884.
His Personality an Asset
He has been ranked among the
men of that class that many DIE
cities know---the veteran citizen OF
marked personality and consistent
career. whose life and record consti-
tutes a distinct asset to the commu-
nifty. Through all the years his pos
session. to remarkable degree, of civic
pride and patriotism has made him
one of the foremost OF the growing
city's characters. During the War
( Between the states his activities wtth-
I in this field made him intimately
acquainted with President Jefferson
/ Davis, of the Confedaracy, with Gem
eral Robert r. Lee, and with other
figures. large in those days. As an
! associate Of the banking house OF II.
Lancaster and Company, financial
agents of the Confederate states ne
came, during the years OF stress rof
( his State and his section. into close
relationship with men guiding tho
destiny Of the Confederacy.
Inspiration. innate, and that ac-
uuired during troublous days giving
him a very thorough insight inta tho
finance that aids in the launching and
fupbuliding of enterprise. was always
at his command. II wsss helpful to
him and his associates during the days
the reconstruction of the South
o. en- every effort of a stricken section
was for "A recovery of the strength
that had been evident before the de-
yastation that accompanied war. and
he became a leader In this economic
reconstruction of the South
student and Writer.
He was an ardent reader and stu-
dent He was a writer of ability on
philosophical and religious subjects
and his contributions. especially Ia
the literature OF the Protestant Epis~
.eopai Church In this country. are pre-
served by many students For many
L ,oeI inucd ON Second Pare. l.s.ssas4ss