Person Record

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1 of 1977 Philip Williams

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Name

Williams, Philip

Othernames

Philip Utter

Genealogy ID

31302

Born

21 JAN 1825

Birthplace

Troy, Bradford PA

Deceased

25 JUL 1894

Deceased where

Mansfield, Tioga PA

Cemetery

Prospect Cemetery

Occupation

Lumberman
sales rep
Banker
Wrestler

Titles & honors

Burgess of Mansfield 1863
treasurer at the time of his death of the
Mansfield Normal School,
Smythe Park Association,
Mansfield School District,
Paisley Woolen Company
Mansfield Novelty Works
Cottage State Hospital, Blossburg.

Father

Ansel Williams (adopted by Simeon F. Utter)

Mother

Elizabeth Case (adopted by Martha Case)

Spouse

Ellen Marie Bailey

Reference

Obit

Notes

WILLIAMS, Philip [SRGP 31302]
Mansfield's Wealthy Banker Succumbs to Heart Disease
Brief Review of His Eventful Career
Mr. Philip Williams died suddenly at his home in this boro at half-past ten oclock last Wednesday night, aged 68 years, 6 months and 4 days. He had spent the early part of the evening as usual chatting with friends about town. After sitting for perhaps an hour on the porch of the old Brundage House, engaged in conversation with Mr. D.H. Pitts and Mr. Burr R. Bailey, about 9:30 he went home and soon afterward laid down upon a lounge in the dining room. He had been there but a short time when Mrs. Williams heard him gasp for breath and immediately stepped to his side from an adjoining room. She was greatly shocked to find that her husband had apparently ceased breathing. The family physician and two or three near friends were hastily summoned, but all to no purpose, as the vital spark had departed. Mr. Williams had been a sufferer for several years from diabetes, a serious kidney difficulty. His death is not, however, attributed to that disease but rather to acute heart disease. The news of the wealthy bankers sudden demise did not become generally known throughout the village until Thursday morning. It was everywhere received with regret accompanied by expressions of admiration for his integrity and sound business judgment. His parents, Ansel and Elizabeth Case Williams, were farmers in comfortable circumstances living near Troy. Mrs. Williams having a somewhat numerous family of children, and her sister, Mrs. S.F. Utter (Martha Case), of this boro, having recently lost her only child, it was decided while Philip was still a babe in arms that he should become a member of the Utter household. His aunt and her husband lived where Mrs. Jesse Smith now resides, and Deacon Utter's blacksmith shop in which the youth occasionally worked was on the opposite side of the street. He did not as a boy take kindly to books, nor did he show an overpowering fondness for manual labor. His special forte appeared to be financiering. Business enterprises were his delight. One of his very first transactions was to sell some sheep that had been given him that he might have the proceeds of the sale to discount the notes of his less thrifty acquaintances. At the time of which we write and for several years afterward, he was known as Phil or Philip Utter. After working in saw mills and doing other hard labor at 75 cents a day from sun to sun he entered the employ of Mr. Isaac Drake who owned and operated a large woolen mill near the north west corner of the present fair grounds. Subsequently he became Mr. Drakes traveling representative. As such he traveled about the country buying wool and selling fulled cloth. He next became the traveling representative and collector of a prosperous tanning mill factory carried on here by a gentleman named Taylor. During these years he gained quite a reputation as a wrestler, young men of about his age coming long distances to match their strength and skill against his. Among other occupations of this period of his life was that of a raftsman. Several of our older citizens recall having gone down the river with him spring after spring on rafts of lumber and logs. The return trips were almost invariably made on foot. About the year 1853 in company with Mr. Ezra Davis, he bought and for three or four years thereafter subsequently owned by Mr. John Kohn and later by R.R. Kingsley and son, the present owners. Though he lived to be able to multiply that sum by more than 100 it is doubtful if Mr. Williams ever felt richer than when he received for Mr. Kohn $2600 for his half interest in the tannery. He next entered into a co-partnership with Mr. Andrew J. Ross, of Tunkhannock, in a general merchandise business in this boro, in a building which stood near the site of the present post office. In addition to their store the firm of Ross & Williams did considerable lumbering and launched out in other directions. About 1861 they sold out to Messrs. J.S. Murdough and Albert Rose, now of Chicago and Detroit, respectively, but continued their lumbering operations. They also carried on a general loan business. The conditions were such then that high rates of interest were easily obtainable. As a consequence the venture proved highly renumerative and so continued for many years. The present banking house of Ross & Williams was established in 1872. It was as senior partner in that enterprise that Mr. Williams was best known to the present generation. His associate in the bank since 1879 has been Mr. Charles S. Ross, a son of his old partner who died in August, 1876, deeply mourned by a large circle of acquaintances. It is known to have been the intention of the deceased to endow a home for old ladies, and also to make other public bequests, including one to the Normal school, but instead of a will directing what should be done with his vast estate, worth probably not far from $400,000, he left absolutely nothing to indicate his wishes except as they were expressed from time to time in conversation with confidential friends. Mr. Williams was united in marriage in April, 1858, with Miss Ellen Bailey, who survives him. He leaves also a sister, Mrs. J.L. Linderman, of Osseo, Wisconsin; a nephew, A.D. Williams, of Canton; and other relatives including Postmaster A.L. Linderman, of Troy, PA, and Mrs. D.R. Bacon, of Wellsboro. Mr. Williams had held numerous local offices, but never aspired to political preferment. He was a Republican in politics. He was treasurer at the time of his death of the Mansfield Normal School. Smythe Park Association, Mansfield School District, the Paisley Woolen Company and the Mansfield Novelty Works, of this boro, and the Cottage State Hospital, Blossburg. It may be truthfully said of Mr. Williams that he delighted in accumulating money just as some men do in acquiring learning. He did not covet riches for their purchasing power but more as an enthusiastic hunter might prize a mounted deers head or pair of antlers as evidence of his marksmanship. Even as a boy this tendency of his nature asserted itself. He was ever on the lookout for a profitable business venture. He was a good judge of men and of values. His opinion was eagerly sought and carried great weight. His conservative influence extended over a wide territory. Instead of encouraging social display and extravagance by his example he inculcated exactly the opposite idea. His word was never questioned by those who knew him. His simple promise or verbal agreement was equivalent to the strongest contract. To those who showed a disposition to deal fairly and squarely he was always considerate and obliging; to those who exhibited the roguish spirit he showed no mercy. The funeral was held Saturday afternoon from his late home and was largely attended. Rev. M. Karcher, formerly pastor of the Episcopal church here, conducted the services. Among those in attendance were quite a number of prominent citizens from Wellsboro and other distant parts of the county. The remains were deposited in the Kohler family vault of Oakwood cemetery pending the erection of a suitable tomb for their permanent reception. Mansfield Advertiser, PA, 1 August 1894, Wednesday, p.3