Death of Deacon Williams
He Passes Away at the Age of 82 – A Biographical Sketch.
=========================================
Yesterday morning at 4 o’clock Deacon D. W. Williams of the First Baptist church passed away at his residence, No. 163 Ninth street. He had been ill but little over a month from troubles incident to his advanced years and arduous labors in many enterprises.
Douglas Wright Williams was born in Lowville, N.Y., October 16, 1808. Twenty-one years later he left for Buffalo, where he was a merchant for thirty years and prominent member of the Washington avenue Baptist church. Leaving there October 4, 1859, he came to Portland by the Isthmus route, arriving here November 7, of the same year. Mr. Williams was of that family which settled in Roxbury, Mass., many years ago, being a descendant of Isaac Williams, son of Robert, the settler, distinguished in New England annuals for being good citizens and true patriots. He belonged to a generation whose opportunities for achieving fortune or renown were extremely limited, and perhaps for this reason, as well from his native qualities, had fewer temptations to that self-indulgence which coarsens the moral nature of “successful” men.
Mr. Williams was the sixth in a family of eleven children. All passed away before him but two—a brother and a sister on the other side of the continent. His only child died in infancy. His wife died August 3, 1889, and his only relative here is an adopted son, now living at Vancouver.
While a prominent member of the community and a man of wide public acquaintance here, he was not one to mingle to a great extent in municipal or commercial enterprise. He was once school clerk for Portland, but never aspired to higher public honors. His chosen sphere of work, and that in which he found his greatest delight and usefulness, was in connection with the First Baptist church, of Portland, whose history is closely identical with that of its honored member who has just passed from the works of men.
It was in the summer of 1860 that the Baptists of Portland decided to try to renew their organization, whose membership had dwindled down to three. A hall was rented on First street, in which, August 12, a Sunday school was organized, with D. W. Williams superintendent.
Mr. Williams has since then been prominently connected with every enterprise of the church. The erection of the present edifice, the Chinese mission and the movement for a new church building now, were all dear to this heart and present in his thought. He was, at the time of his death, the only surviving commitment member of the church. He has been treasurer for thirty years, deacon for twenty-five years, and trustee nearly all the time of his residence here. The sentiment entertained for him by the church is well expressed in the following resolutions, which were adopted at the annual meeting January 6, 1891, when he insisted upon being relieved from the office of treasurer:
Whereas, Our beloved brother Deacon D. W. Williams, having served this church [illegible] as treasurer for many years with [illegible], deems it in accordance with the divine [illegible] he should be relieved from the further discharge of the duties as treasurer, and, whereas, to have a [illegible] his desire to be relieved from such official duty at this time, therefore be it.
Recorded, that we reluctantly acquiesce in his decision and in so doing beg to record an appreciation of the faithful and loving services rendered by our dear brother in the many and varied duties he has so publicly borne for [illegible] and for Christ’s;
Recorded, That a copy of these resolutions be inscribed to our beloved and cherished friend, and a copy placed on file of church record.
Faithful as a Christian, conscientious as an officer, benevolent almost to a fault, beloved and honored by all who knew him, “Deacon” Williams has passed to his reward without a stain upon his name, and leaves a void in many hearts and homes which time cannot fill, though it may assuage.
Appropriate reference will be had in today’s services at the First Baptist church to his services and death. The funeral takes place form the church Monday at 2 PM. The pastor, Dr. John Gordon, will preach a memorial sermon next Sunday morning.
[The Oregonian, 8 Mar 1891, p16]
He Passes Away at the Age of 82 – A Biographical Sketch.
=========================================
Yesterday morning at 4 o’clock Deacon D. W. Williams of the First Baptist church passed away at his residence, No. 163 Ninth street. He had been ill but little over a month from troubles incident to his advanced years and arduous labors in many enterprises.
Douglas Wright Williams was born in Lowville, N.Y., October 16, 1808. Twenty-one years later he left for Buffalo, where he was a merchant for thirty years and prominent member of the Washington avenue Baptist church. Leaving there October 4, 1859, he came to Portland by the Isthmus route, arriving here November 7, of the same year. Mr. Williams was of that family which settled in Roxbury, Mass., many years ago, being a descendant of Isaac Williams, son of Robert, the settler, distinguished in New England annuals for being good citizens and true patriots. He belonged to a generation whose opportunities for achieving fortune or renown were extremely limited, and perhaps for this reason, as well from his native qualities, had fewer temptations to that self-indulgence which coarsens the moral nature of “successful” men.
Mr. Williams was the sixth in a family of eleven children. All passed away before him but two—a brother and a sister on the other side of the continent. His only child died in infancy. His wife died August 3, 1889, and his only relative here is an adopted son, now living at Vancouver.
While a prominent member of the community and a man of wide public acquaintance here, he was not one to mingle to a great extent in municipal or commercial enterprise. He was once school clerk for Portland, but never aspired to higher public honors. His chosen sphere of work, and that in which he found his greatest delight and usefulness, was in connection with the First Baptist church, of Portland, whose history is closely identical with that of its honored member who has just passed from the works of men.
It was in the summer of 1860 that the Baptists of Portland decided to try to renew their organization, whose membership had dwindled down to three. A hall was rented on First street, in which, August 12, a Sunday school was organized, with D. W. Williams superintendent.
Mr. Williams has since then been prominently connected with every enterprise of the church. The erection of the present edifice, the Chinese mission and the movement for a new church building now, were all dear to this heart and present in his thought. He was, at the time of his death, the only surviving commitment member of the church. He has been treasurer for thirty years, deacon for twenty-five years, and trustee nearly all the time of his residence here. The sentiment entertained for him by the church is well expressed in the following resolutions, which were adopted at the annual meeting January 6, 1891, when he insisted upon being relieved from the office of treasurer:
Whereas, Our beloved brother Deacon D. W. Williams, having served this church [illegible] as treasurer for many years with [illegible], deems it in accordance with the divine [illegible] he should be relieved from the further discharge of the duties as treasurer, and, whereas, to have a [illegible] his desire to be relieved from such official duty at this time, therefore be it.
Recorded, that we reluctantly acquiesce in his decision and in so doing beg to record an appreciation of the faithful and loving services rendered by our dear brother in the many and varied duties he has so publicly borne for [illegible] and for Christ’s;
Recorded, That a copy of these resolutions be inscribed to our beloved and cherished friend, and a copy placed on file of church record.
Faithful as a Christian, conscientious as an officer, benevolent almost to a fault, beloved and honored by all who knew him, “Deacon” Williams has passed to his reward without a stain upon his name, and leaves a void in many hearts and homes which time cannot fill, though it may assuage.
Appropriate reference will be had in today’s services at the First Baptist church to his services and death. The funeral takes place form the church Monday at 2 PM. The pastor, Dr. John Gordon, will preach a memorial sermon next Sunday morning.
[The Oregonian, 8 Mar 1891, p16]
Death of Deacon Williams
He Passes Away at the Age of 82 – A Biographical Sketch.
=========================================
Yesterday morning at 4 o’clock Deacon D. W. Williams of the First Baptist church passed away at his residence, No. 163 Ninth street. He had been ill but little over a month from troubles incident to his advanced years and arduous labors in many enterprises.
Douglas Wright Williams was born in Lowville, N.Y., October 16, 1808. Twenty-one years later he left for Buffalo, where he was a merchant for thirty years and prominent member of the Washington avenue Baptist church. Leaving there October 4, 1859, he came to Portland by the Isthmus route, arriving here November 7, of the same year. Mr. Williams was of that family which settled in Roxbury, Mass., many years ago, being a descendant of Isaac Williams, son of Robert, the settler, distinguished in New England annuals for being good citizens and true patriots. He belonged to a generation whose opportunities for achieving fortune or renown were extremely limited, and perhaps for this reason, as well from his native qualities, had fewer temptations to that self-indulgence which coarsens the moral nature of “successful” men.
Mr. Williams was the sixth in a family of eleven children. All passed away before him but two—a brother and a sister on the other side of the continent. His only child died in infancy. His wife died August 3, 1889, and his only relative here is an adopted son, now living at Vancouver.
While a prominent member of the community and a man of wide public acquaintance here, he was not one to mingle to a great extent in municipal or commercial enterprise. He was once school clerk for Portland, but never aspired to higher public honors. His chosen sphere of work, and that in which he found his greatest delight and usefulness, was in connection with the First Baptist church, of Portland, whose history is closely identical with that of its honored member who has just passed from the works of men.
It was in the summer of 1860 that the Baptists of Portland decided to try to renew their organization, whose membership had dwindled down to three. A hall was rented on First street, in which, August 12, a Sunday school was organized, with D. W. Williams superintendent.
Mr. Williams has since then been prominently connected with every enterprise of the church. The erection of the present edifice, the Chinese mission and the movement for a new church building now, were all dear to this heart and present in his thought. He was, at the time of his death, the only surviving commitment member of the church. He has been treasurer for thirty years, deacon for twenty-five years, and trustee nearly all the time of his residence here. The sentiment entertained for him by the church is well expressed in the following resolutions, which were adopted at the annual meeting January 6, 1891, when he insisted upon being relieved from the office of treasurer:
Whereas, Our beloved brother Deacon D. W. Williams, having served this church [illegible] as treasurer for many years with [illegible], deems it in accordance with the divine [illegible] he should be relieved from the further discharge of the duties as treasurer, and, whereas, to have a [illegible] his desire to be relieved from such official duty at this time, therefore be it.
Recorded, that we reluctantly acquiesce in his decision and in so doing beg to record an appreciation of the faithful and loving services rendered by our dear brother in the many and varied duties he has so publicly borne for [illegible] and for Christ’s;
Recorded, That a copy of these resolutions be inscribed to our beloved and cherished friend, and a copy placed on file of church record.
Faithful as a Christian, conscientious as an officer, benevolent almost to a fault, beloved and honored by all who knew him, “Deacon” Williams has passed to his reward without a stain upon his name, and leaves a void in many hearts and homes which time cannot fill, though it may assuage.
Appropriate reference will be had in today’s services at the First Baptist church to his services and death. The funeral takes place form the church Monday at 2 PM. The pastor, Dr. John Gordon, will preach a memorial sermon next Sunday morning.
[The Oregonian, 8 Mar 1891, p16]
He Passes Away at the Age of 82 – A Biographical Sketch.
=========================================
Yesterday morning at 4 o’clock Deacon D. W. Williams of the First Baptist church passed away at his residence, No. 163 Ninth street. He had been ill but little over a month from troubles incident to his advanced years and arduous labors in many enterprises.
Douglas Wright Williams was born in Lowville, N.Y., October 16, 1808. Twenty-one years later he left for Buffalo, where he was a merchant for thirty years and prominent member of the Washington avenue Baptist church. Leaving there October 4, 1859, he came to Portland by the Isthmus route, arriving here November 7, of the same year. Mr. Williams was of that family which settled in Roxbury, Mass., many years ago, being a descendant of Isaac Williams, son of Robert, the settler, distinguished in New England annuals for being good citizens and true patriots. He belonged to a generation whose opportunities for achieving fortune or renown were extremely limited, and perhaps for this reason, as well from his native qualities, had fewer temptations to that self-indulgence which coarsens the moral nature of “successful” men.
Mr. Williams was the sixth in a family of eleven children. All passed away before him but two—a brother and a sister on the other side of the continent. His only child died in infancy. His wife died August 3, 1889, and his only relative here is an adopted son, now living at Vancouver.
While a prominent member of the community and a man of wide public acquaintance here, he was not one to mingle to a great extent in municipal or commercial enterprise. He was once school clerk for Portland, but never aspired to higher public honors. His chosen sphere of work, and that in which he found his greatest delight and usefulness, was in connection with the First Baptist church, of Portland, whose history is closely identical with that of its honored member who has just passed from the works of men.
It was in the summer of 1860 that the Baptists of Portland decided to try to renew their organization, whose membership had dwindled down to three. A hall was rented on First street, in which, August 12, a Sunday school was organized, with D. W. Williams superintendent.
Mr. Williams has since then been prominently connected with every enterprise of the church. The erection of the present edifice, the Chinese mission and the movement for a new church building now, were all dear to this heart and present in his thought. He was, at the time of his death, the only surviving commitment member of the church. He has been treasurer for thirty years, deacon for twenty-five years, and trustee nearly all the time of his residence here. The sentiment entertained for him by the church is well expressed in the following resolutions, which were adopted at the annual meeting January 6, 1891, when he insisted upon being relieved from the office of treasurer:
Whereas, Our beloved brother Deacon D. W. Williams, having served this church [illegible] as treasurer for many years with [illegible], deems it in accordance with the divine [illegible] he should be relieved from the further discharge of the duties as treasurer, and, whereas, to have a [illegible] his desire to be relieved from such official duty at this time, therefore be it.
Recorded, that we reluctantly acquiesce in his decision and in so doing beg to record an appreciation of the faithful and loving services rendered by our dear brother in the many and varied duties he has so publicly borne for [illegible] and for Christ’s;
Recorded, That a copy of these resolutions be inscribed to our beloved and cherished friend, and a copy placed on file of church record.
Faithful as a Christian, conscientious as an officer, benevolent almost to a fault, beloved and honored by all who knew him, “Deacon” Williams has passed to his reward without a stain upon his name, and leaves a void in many hearts and homes which time cannot fill, though it may assuage.
Appropriate reference will be had in today’s services at the First Baptist church to his services and death. The funeral takes place form the church Monday at 2 PM. The pastor, Dr. John Gordon, will preach a memorial sermon next Sunday morning.
[The Oregonian, 8 Mar 1891, p16]
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