Evening star., 1935-07-16
John JOy Edison.

Seventy-two years ago young Ohioan
who had been serving in the Union forces
came to Washington to accept minor
position in the Government service.
Since then he has been citizen Of the
Capital, and during the greater part OF
the period one of its most active and use
full citizens and one of the most beloved.
Yesterday, in his ninetieth year, he died,
after an illness of several weeks, and now
John Joy Edison is deeply moWned by
literally all Washington.
1t is difficult to appraise the full value
of Mr.. Edson's contribution to the well
fare and the advancement of the COM
munity of which he has been so long
member. To recite his active aSsocia-
tions with the business and social life
of the Capital calls for long enumera-
ton. Always earnest in whatever he
undertook thorough and devoted IN the
discharge of whatever duties he accepted,
he was for many years reckoned as one
of the most efficient workers for the
development of the District.
John Joy Edison was gifted with
broad vision of the possibilities of his
adopted home. He was always at Its
service. No task was too onerouS or
exacting for him to undertake. In busi-
ness. in social work, in philanthropy, ne
never spared himself, and in whatever
task that was assigned to him he could
be implicitly relied upon to serve to the
utmost of his ability and his strength.
With keen sympathy for those af-
ficted with misfortune, Mr.. Edison de-
voted himself with especial energy and
efficiency to the work OF charity. HIS
contribution to the amelioration OF suf-
fering was invaluable. His own bountleS
were, however, not the most valuable
portion of his offering, for his eXcep-
tional administrative capacity was de-
voted during many years to the main
tenance of organizations for the benent
of the less fortunate ones.
His sterling uprightnesS OF character,
his industry his breadth OF view and his
readiness at all times to aid in every
enterprise making for the betterment OF
life in Washington made John Joy Edison
an inspiration to the younger residents
of the Capital In them he always took
the keenest interest and he aided many
of them in the course of the years with
his sound advice and his direct assist
ence.
From time to time his fellow citizens
have marked the mileStoneS OF his career
with honors. His birthdays were during
recent years regularly noted with pride
The occasion of the eightieth was espe-
cially observed with appropriate marks
of the esteem in which he was held by
the community. 1t was an annual priv
nege to congratulate him upon the pass
ing of another of the many years OF his
long and useful life. Seven years ago
he suffered from an accident Whlcn lOr
a time seemed to be certain of fatal
consequences and Washington was
grievously concerned for many days, for
though he had passed the fou-score
milestone of life, it was felt that Mr.
Edison had by no means reached the end
of his great service in behalf OF his tel-
low men and of the city of his deep and
abiding affections.
Mr.. Edison, in his later years, once said
to friend, while talking of his habit OF
action: Throughout my life, whenever
] have had to make a decision, I have
weighed all the facts and then have
asked myself, What is the right thing
to do?'" That he answered himself
correctly is evident from the long record
of accomplishments for the benefit of his
fellow men which Washington is now
proud to cite as John Joy EdsonS most
expressive memorial.