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Another Son of Jamestown Makes Good

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The 30,000 or so residents of Jamestown New York have quite a bit to be proud of these days.  They don’t have just one Surprise Millionaire in their midst but two! I happened across this copy of the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation newsletter paying homage to one Edwin L. Danielson of Jamestown.  Mr. Danielson joins John A. Johnson as a son of Jamestown New York who gave back to his community changing lives for the better.

The foundation had this to say about Mr. Danielson:

“(Ed) was a soft-spoken gentleman whose generosity was an extension of his character. He was unassuming, happy and humble. He held an undying devotion to those he loved and to those he held in high regard. He was thoughtful and disciplined. A man with a can-do attitude and a benevolent heart.”

All I can say is wow, just wow!  What a wonderful testament to a life well spent.

Edwin Danielson (2)

Crime Doesn’t Pay!

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No Silver Spoons Here!

It looks like we have another controversy involving the last will and testament of an elderly Surprise Millionaire. This gentleman’s grand-nephew has been cheated out of his inheritance due to the involvement of some unsavory characters.  Like I have said in the past to all of you potential Surprise Millionaires out there, make your wishes known. Better yet, write a will with the help of an attorney that will stand up in the court of your jurisdiction against anyone who might file a false claim. Surprise Millionaires work far too hard to have their fortunes disbursed in a way other than what they wanted.

However, I am happy to report that those “unsavory characters” are getting their just desserts and they are learning that crime doesn’t pay!

The Prescription For Success

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‘She wanted to see things be done, and leave a legacy.’

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There has been a flurry of news reports coming from the Pacific Northwest over the past few months regarding donations made from a multi-millionaire’s estate.  Organizations

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Bryan and Bette at Bryan’s Drug

ranging from local museums to state parks have received assistance from a trust set up by millionaire Elizabeth ‘Bette’ Ruth Wallace.

So who was this Bette Wallace? Was she some high society grand dame looking to leave her mark through philanthropy? Or maybe a high powered executive who had earned top dollar during her career? No, Bette was neither of those things but was still pretty grand none the less.

Bette and her husband Bryan were the owners of a small drug store that they worked very hard to make a success.  Through that hard work, the Wallaces were able to grow a little nest egg. After Bryan’s passing, Bette took that little nest egg and invested in several rental properties in a northern California area to bring in some income.  It just so happened that in the years that followed, that particular northern California area, the one where Bette had her little rental properties, would go on to be renamed Silicon Valley! Much to her ‘surprise’, Bette had become a ‘Surprise Real Estate Mogul’.

However despite this financial windfall, Bette never lived extravagantly and always stayed just the same person she had always been. It was this ‘surprise’ real estate empire which allowed Bette to leave such a wonderful legacy to the communities in which she had called home.  It seems Bette found the right ‘prescription’ for success.