268 
THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN 
bituary. 
ARTHUR WILLIS, SR. 
Arthur Willis, Sr., of the Willis Nurseries, of Ottawa, 
Kansas, died October 1st, 1920, at the Ottawa Hospital, 
after an illness of six weeks. Two operations were per¬ 
formed for bladder trouble but they failed to bring re¬ 
lief. The funeral was held the afternoon of October 4th, 
from the residence, 439 South Cherry street, where the 
family had lived since 1882. Rev. W. A. Elliott, of the 
First Baptist Church, conducted the services. 
Mr. Willis was born in Delavan, Wisconsin, March 18, 
1843. When he was 21 years old, he left home to work 
in Rockford and Bloomington, Ills., and later went to 
Columbia, Mo. From Columbia, he came to Ottawa to 
raise apple grafts, and decided to make his home there. 
He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Amelia Esterly Willis, 
two daughters, Miss Ola Willis, of Ottawa, and Mrs. 
Gail W. Beach, of New Westminster, B. C., and son, Mr. 
Arthur Willis, Jr., of Ottawa. 
He established the Willis Nurseries, at Ottawa, about 
50 years ago, has been an extensive grower of general 
nursery stock, and his business is well and favorably 
known throughout the United States. A very large circle 
of friends and acquaintances are saddened by his death. 
Though quiet and unassuming, Mr. Willis was keenly 
interested in all civic matters, educational affairs, and 
the activities of the Baptist church, of which he was a 
deacon 40 years. He was president of the old Ottawa 
city council and a member of that organization many 
years. The board of trustees of Ottawa University num¬ 
bered Mr. Willis as a member from 1885 until the time 
of his withdrawal in favor of his son, Arthur, about a 
year ago. He was secretary of the board from 1912 to 
1919, and a member of the executive committee for a 
long time. He had signed more of the 700 diplomas of 
the graduates of the university than any other member 
of the board. During the time Mr. Willis and his wife 
have lived in Ottawa, they have known the work of the 
college intimately, have constantly come in contact with 
the students and faculty, and have been continuous con¬ 
tributors to the work of Christian education. When a 
daughter, Miss Fern Willis, passed away, Mr. and Mrs. 
Willis established the “Fern Willis Memorial Scholar¬ 
ship Fund” of $1000. After Mr. Willis retired from bus¬ 
iness, he paid into the permanent funds of the college 
$10,000 on the annuity plan. 
Following is the editorial tribute of the Ottawa Herald: 
‘A. Willis, Premier Citizen. 
The death of A. Willis removed a citizen to whom 
Ottawa owes much, because of his long residence here 
and service to the community. Town, church, col¬ 
lege and a host of friends will miss him sorely. Mr. 
M iHis built up an important industry, in his nursery 
business, that is known considerable distances away 
from here. He also devoted much of his time to public 
all airs that mean much to any town, giving of his sub¬ 
stance as generously as he did his personal effort. 
Men of his type are appreciated during their lifetime, 
and their death leaves a gap that is hard to fill.” 
At the time of a serious illness a few years ago, Mr. 
Willis retired from business, and his daughter, Miss Ola 
Willis, took charge of the business, later was joined by 
her brother, Mr. Arthur Willis, Jr., Miss Willis is one of 
the most capable women in the nursery business at the 
present time. 
SAVE THE REDWOODS LEAGUE 
A Society has been organized under the name of Save 
the Redwoods League, the purpose of which should ap¬ 
peal to every nurseryman. 
These wonderful trees are the only living things in 
the world that were in existence before the dawn of our 
civilization. It would really be a calamity if through 
carelessness and want of interest, they were destroyed. 
They are the birth-right of the American people, and 
should not be sold, or lost to future generations for a 
mess of pottage. 
For information concerning member¬ 
ship in the League please address 
ROBERT G. SPROUL, Sec’y-Treas. 
430 Library, University of California 
Berkeley, California. 
The Inter-State Nurseries, G. M. Griffing & Go., Jack¬ 
sonville, Fla., have moved their offices to the Duval Bldg., 
Jacksonville. The nursery is located 28 miles west of 
‘Jacksonville on the Seaboard Air Line Railway. 
RHODES D< S E 1 
PRUNING SHEARS ! 
In Use Throughout the World 
Patented 
The finest cutting and best made pruner on the market 
and the only one that cuts from both sides of the limb and 
does not bruise the bark. Made in all styles and sizes. 
They are advertised in all the leading journals through¬ 
out the country and will prove a profitable line for you to 
handle. All goods delivered. 
Send for circular and trade discounts. 
Rhodes Mfg. Co., 
524 S. Division Avenue, 
Grand Rapids, Mich. 
