Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-12-31
GONE TO THEIR REST.
WELL.ENOWN CITIZENS DEAD

About ll:2U o CLOCK A. VI. yesterday
Mr.. William Woodson Cosby, we'll
known member Of the bar Of this city,
dropped dead in the entry Of the Sha'er
building on Tenth street, just above
Garber's Office.
Mr.. Cosby had been apparently in the
best Of health, and only few minutes
before his life ended was in his Office, in
the third story Of the Shafer building,
chatting gaily with his son and Mr.. 5.
Proskauer. lie left these young gentle
men and in fine spirits went down
in the basement Of the build
ing. Upon reaching there, putting
both hands upon his breast. he
remarked to Mr.. Charles Euker
that he was suffering very acute
pain, and asked what he should
do for it. Mr.. Euker got him some
liquor, Of which he partook sparingly.
and, saying that he felt better, went
up stairs towards Tenth street. He
had no sooner reached the entry at the
head of the steps than he fell, his head
striking the door-mat. A colored man
named Wilson Brown, observing him
helpless upon the floor. went to his as
sistance and called in Mr.. John ].
Booth, Mr.. George Ii. Poindexter. and
others to assist in carrying Mr.. Cosby
up stairs. They carried the poor man
to his office and laid him upon a sofa
but he gave only few gasps and life
was extinct. DrS. McCaw and Brock
were summoned. but their services were
useless. Coroner Taylor, who viewed
the body, thought death was from heart
disease.
Mr.. Cosby was born in Goochland
county, and was sixty-one years OF
age. lie received good general educa-
ton and then studied law at the Uni
yersity. where, in 1919, he graduated
in law in a class among whose members
were MeSsrs. F. w. NJ. Holiday, John
Lyon, and John Howard. He then
soon became associated in the practice
of the law with Colonel Peter Guerrant,
Of G55cchl,,and Courthouse, and secured
a good deal OF business in that county
(Goochland) and Louisa. lie was a
Conservative candidate for the Con-
stitutional Convention in 1867 for the
district composed Of the counties Of
Chesterfield and Powhatsn, but the
district was hopelessly black, and he
was defeated.
In 1869 he removed to this city and
formed a co-partnership with Messrs.
Charles w. Turner and Thomas &.
Jackson. Upon the dissolution of this
firm he formed co-partnership with
Hon. George d. Wise, which firm was
existing at the time Of his death, and
into which his son, W. W. Cosby, Jr.,
had Of late been admitted. lie married
sister Of Mr.. John o. Steger, who,
with eight children, survive him.
Mr.. Cosby had for a few years past
been making his home in Goochland
county, but was here several days in
each week. His wife was in the city
yesterday, having come here to spend
portion of the Christmas holidays with
their son. Mr.. W. W. Cosby, Jr. The
news of her husbands death was con-
yeyed to her by affectiOnate friends in
the most delicate way possible, but it
nearly broke her heart. The body was
removed from the Shafer building to the
residence Of Mr.. W. W. Cosby, Jr.,
No. 2l5 east Main street.
Of Mr.. Cosby it may be truly said
that he was a good man. His manners
were modest and friendly. He had
kind words for everybody, and was
fond of joking and bantering his friends.
AS lawyer he ranked high. His prac-
tice extended into every court Of this
city, and he was noted for fidelity and
earnestness in his clients causes; for
careful preparation of his cases for
tact and skill in dealing with juries, and
for perspicuity and ability in discussing
questions addressed to judges. Hon.
George d. Wise, his partner and friend
of long standing, was on yesterday in
Accomack. No one outside Of the inn
mediate family circle will more than he
lament the death of Mr.. Cosby.
The funeral of Mr.. Cosby will take
place at O'Clock to-day from the Sec-
ond Baptist church.
MIR. GEORGE X. CRUTCHFIELD.
At 81 o'clock yesterday morning. at
his residence. on the east side of Fourth
street between Broad and Marshall,
this venerable citizen departed this life.
lie was born in this city in lS06, and
here had spent his life. With possibly
one or two exceptions he was the Oldest
Richmond-born person living. For a
great many years he conducted the
house and sign-painting business, and
was enabled to acquire a competency,
with which he retired in 1860.
lie was the first superintendent Of the
Grace-Street Baptist Sunday school, and
at recent great celebration of the
school was an honored guest. He
served as a member Of the Council term
after term, representing, at different
periods, Of course, Madison and Monroe
wards. He was also for two years
Justice OF the peace, and for the same
length Of time member Of the House
of Delegates, having been elected to the
latter position in the year 1877. He
was four times married. His first wife
was Miss Manson; his second, Miss
Clarke. his third, Mrs. Waller
and his fourth, who survives him,
Miss Blair. lie was the father Of
Mr.. George Crutchfeld, business
manager Of the State DR.. W. T. and
Messrs. John j. and Leigh Crutchdeld,
and Of Mrs. Peter Tinsley, Mrs. Thomas
W. Sydnor, Mrs. Charles W. Goddin,
Mrs. Helen Randall, and Miss Cornelia
Crutchfeld. More than thirty Of his
grandchildren are now living, some of
them having arrived at the age Of ma
turity.
Mr.. Crutchfeld was man Of robust
condition and powerful physique, and
enjoyed fine health to a comparatively
recent date. In June last he suffered
from an apoplectic stroke, from which
he never fully recovered-though he
was able to sit out on his porch all