Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-08-28
wI1LIAM n. Wo0D.



Auoyyn Granger.
william II. ,Homswood, whose sad
death by drowning was announced in
last weeks GAZETTE, was one of
the best known farmers in the vicinity of
Newark. Last fall he retired from the
active management Of his property and
has since been living with his numerous
children, spending most OF the time with
his son, William II. Jr., who lives Just
beyond the 1tiVerview cemetery on the
Philadelphia turnpike.
Yesterday morning week father and son
started for the marsh near the jetty where
the latter had some grass to cut. The
old gentleman, az he had ften done be.
fore, went to the jetty to fish for crabs
and lost his life in the manner stated.
Although the body had been in the
water but three hours IL was found TO be
horribly mutiated by crabs. The coroner
granted a certificate in accordance with
the facts as he did not deem an inquest
ne 7essaty.
Mr.. Aomswood was m Englishman.
He WAS born at Bmsrden, County Kent,
England, on June 2lAt, 1922, and was
therefore two months more than 90 yeerB
Of age. He came to America 10 years
ago last Apr.. aud purchasing the farm
near Newark, which h owned ut bis
death, lived there until last fall. The
farm contains 2T7 acres and is situated
about half mile east OF Newark. 1t ia
known as the Hermitage farm.
Mr.. Eomewood engaged mostly in
stock raising, paying particular attention
TO the breeding OF sheep. His focks OF
Shropshlres aud Hampshire Downs, were
well known and took prizes AZ all the
fairs where they were shown. His hetdi
OF short horn cattle also had wide reputa,
ton. A few years ago he laid out q
driving track ON his farm. which WA
known as the homeWood Driving Park.
MIR. Homewood owned a number OF
horses INT nole Of them could be clasaet
a. racers, and the park was intended
more for the pleasure OF the people o!
Newark than for private training pur.
poses.
Mr.. Homewood's wife was Miss Frances
Drury. She died IL yeara ago at Newark
after having h3rna him 10 cAildrsu, IL at
whom are living. William H., lives q,
Rivetview, Frederick is in Grean9Oor.
oUgh, N. O., and las two young brotheri
with him Thomas is in Kansas, Eruesl
in Philadelphia Leven in Piedmont
Ala, and two other brothers live in this
city. Three daughters are on the homd
farm Of Newark. Mr. Homswood was q
prominent granger and stockholder ir
the grange store VI Newark. In addition
to the home farm, Hermitage, lie owned
other property, and his estate 10 wOrtl
| about $2O,0nD He lost considerable,
money few years ago, by going security
| fnr Y.annia tpku "A id nng Eagn THAR TNlaAtr1H
SIR. Homewoai was blunt in speech ant
manner, but was possessed OF warn
heart and tuu5n common sense tie wa
wall knuwa as h believer in d protective
tariff which he supported by speech ant
pen.
| MR.. HoMEwooD's DEATH
| Special Correspondence ct tiAzstte and Journn
/ NEWARK, Aug, 2l.-About noon ys9teI
day the report spread rapid y around her,
that William HoIuewoOd of this town hRI
been drowned during the morning thu
Brandywine while fishing. The report a
iirat provoked some in,Teduiity, bnt /
gained currency 20 quickly that inquire
we're made by telephone which resute
in the confirmation of the report
Mr.. Homewood Us near as can h
sscertaind was about ca years old ani
an extr msiy hearty man for his age
He was born in England and moved I,
this country at an early age and eventu
ally purchased and settled upon th
Mortherall farm just east OF town. Her
he raisad = large family o. VI children
an became ridower nE5It ties year
ago. Fog many yesrs be was 1)usiaeret
ono y the most prVqnzgiy, uL.e an,
wsl!tc-du farmers in ~ conn.,, taklae
as he did, Rgeoa''c1oua part in the i'm
portstlon 81 many hlgh-class breeds U
sheep and 5attle. In this respect he di
signal aid pioneer service for the fGtmin
interests Ct the county. In addition L
this he took very active interest in oil
agricultural meetings, and his speeches
although Homewhet crude in form, Away
attracted much attention and carriel
weight with them. He was man o
marked indy duality, as shown by hi
face, and dtoas aud speech. He retainer
all OF his characteristic English stnrdi
ness and bluntness; and, with has prlmi
tive and picturesque 'smOck" coat, Ii
was an Interesting relic Of English yeC
many. Lately he has been rather III
fortunate in many ways, and will leave
small estate. Two years ago lie gave u
farming, and has since lived with hi
children in Wilmington and in this towI