Page:Life of Isaiah V Williamson.djvu/105

Rh informed the director that he would do a little something for him. Deeds were turned over to the Library, embracing valuable timber and coal lands in Clinton County, worth $35,000 or more; and later, other gifts of ground rents brought his contribution up to $50,000. Thus eventually, whether he would or no, the "Williamson Fund" was established in the Mercantile Library.

As to his interest in the Merchants' Fund, no doubt Ludwig had a good deal to do with that. He was one of its organizers in 1854, and its president from 1869 till his death in the latter part of 1889; and its purpose was very near his heart—to aid fellow-merchants who had met with reverses and were in distress. It was natural that Williamson, who valued so highly Ludwig's judgment in benevolences, should sympathize with him in this manner, especially as he had himself passed through the struggles and anxieties of a city merchant. In the early '70's, accordingly, he joined with others in various subscriptions to this fund, his own amounting to about $15,000. Feeling the importance of a largely increased permanent endowment, he worked actively to