The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-08-09
r.. H. Bentley.


a little before o'clock yesterday after
noon Mr.. Efford y. Bentley, one OF our
oldest and best-known merchants. died
suddenly at his residence, No. 10l east
Main street. Although Mr. Bentley had
been in feeble health for many years, his
death was unexpected, and produced a
shock in the minds OF our older citizens.
who IN years past knew him as one OF the
most prominent and enterprising mer-
chants OF Richmond.
Mr. Bentley was born in Amelia county
September 2l, 1901. His father, Colonel
Ehord Bentley. was an officer OF the ReyO-
luton, and his mother was Elizabeth Gay,
sister OF the late Captain Edward Gay. In
his fourteenth year Mr.. Bentley became as
soclafed in business at Cartersville. Va,
with MIR. Asbury Crenshaw, the father OF
DR.. .. y. Crenshaw, and remained with
him until he came TO Richmond to reside
permanently In 1925. For some years he
was clerk to Mr.. Hall Nelson and Mr.. A.
W. Noting, leading merchants OF that day.
Afterwards he became partner in the firm
OF Biniord, Brooks, Gay & Co., and later
still, in the firm OF Gay Il Bent
ley. His business qualifications We're
OF high order, and his enterprise
was such that he was chosen a. the priu-
cipal member OF the building committee OF
the Manchester CottOn-Mill, superintend-
ed in person its erection and equipment.
and later on assisted in the same way TO
build the James-Riyer mill, now called the
Marshall COtton-Mll, also in Manchester.
Associated with the late Hugh w. Fry. he
took most active part in the building OF
the Exchange Hotel, the leasing Of which
was for many years entrusted To him. In
the erection OF st. Paul's church he was
deeply interested, and took prominent
part.
FOR OVER HALF A CENTURY
Mr.. Bentley was identified with the in
dustry, the business. and the prosperity Il
Richmond. Its welfare was dear to his
heart. lie had no political aspirations.
cared nothing for office. and was cOntentto
he simply 4 merchant and a useful citizen.
His name was the synonym OF integrity
he was uprightness itself. After the war,
and just when the mill OF which he was
the agent for 50 many years had failed. he
was nominated by his fellOw-citizcn, for
the position Of City Auditor. The Con-
seryatiyes always believed the election 10
have been fair, but Mr. Bentley entertained
some doubt. and declined To fill the place
he so much needed. This he did against
the protest of hi, personal friends.
In mind a i'm character Mr.. Bentley was
q most remarkable man. His memory bor-
dered upon the marvellous, and his love OF
reading amounted 10 passion. No man
OF his time was more thoroughly verSed in
Shakespeare, and it may well be doubted
il any man now living in Virginia was 50
thoroughly cOnversant a be with English
history during the past two hundred years.
He dCyOurcd the memoirs and biographies
covering this period. His rctcntiye memory
held every incident and trait in so much
that he was personally acquainted. one
might say, with all the di>tingui ned men
and women OF England from the days OF the
ctunrts down to the present time. Although
stricken with paralysis ten years ago,
HIS WONDERFUL MEMORY
remained unimpaired-nor was it an old
mans memory. The book, magazine, or
paper which he read yesterday or the week
before was remembered a yiyiGly as the
scenes and events Of his youth. lie was
a mine OF information about the people
and thefamilies OF Richmond and the coun-
ties Of the Upper James. IL was charm
ing to hear him talk about them, and it is
greatly to pc regretted that he had not the
annali>t.
In private life Mr. Bentley was all
Christian should be. His was the house
hold piety Of word and deed which scorned
the atfectation Of outward Sanctity. lnam,
in thought. in life he was sincere. He was
first member oi the Monumental church,
which he Joined in 1872. Afterwards he
became member Of It. PauPs church, Of
which he was one Of the first yestrymcn,
and at the time OF his death junior warden.
Mr.. Bentley married Miss Lucy W. Cham
berlayne. daughter of Captain William
Chamberhyne, and sister Of our t0wnsmen
Me,srs. f.. III. and +. W. Chamberlayne.
lie leaves widow, one son (Mr. William
{. Bentley. and three daughters, one OF
whom is the wife Of the Rev. Frank
Brooke, Of Philippi, West Va.
THE STROKE OF PARALYSIS,
which affected his right side, untitled him
for business, and for some ten years he led
a retired life. In March last there was an
other very slight stroke. from which he
seemed 10 have perfectly recovered; but a
week ago he suddenly became unconscious
and remained 80 for two hours. THIS he
considered a summons. and showed perfect
resignation 10 the will OF Him whose SER
want he long had been. For the last lew
davs he seemed to be unusually well, and
death came upon hin painlessiy and with
out premontion. Thus passed away an
old and honOred citizen, who leaves behind
him reputation untarnished and the me-
morv OF life which in its quiet usefulness
has seldom been surpassed.
80 when a good man dies.
For wears beyond our Ken
! The 1gbt he leaves behind MN lies
Upon the paths Of men,
,rlo 1,,nnrnI ,,.in faLn nlnce N & o'clOrk I