Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-02-21
A NOBLE DELAWAREAN,
The Good Deeds of the Late Hon.
William L. Hearn.

William L. Hearn.
The Leading Manufacturer OF wheeling,
w. va.--AGtive Philanthropist--Me Member
of the House of Delegates of West vir-
Einia--An Immense Business Built Up
by Mr.. Hearn Employing $500 Men,
The Hearn Tabernacle.
The Wheeling Daily Latclligcacsr. Wheel
ing, w Va, OF Thursdays date, contains
the following:
Hon. William l.. Hearn died yesterday
morning at his rooms, in the Mcclure
House, after brief illness of pneumonia.
He had been ill, or at least not in good
health, for about two years, but consider
ing his advanced age, was remarkably hele
until Monday, when he was seized with
the fatal malady which resulted in his
death yesterday.
Mr.. Hearn had been for years one of the
most prominent manufacturers of Wheel
ing, Perhaps no name was better known
in the country at large as identified with
Wheeling industries than was his. He
CAME here soon after the war. and was
from that time on actively identified with
tho leading interests of the community,
until within very few years, when he re-
tired from active life, though he never
ceased to take lively interest in every
thing for the good Of the community or
Though Mr.. Hearn was best known as
actively engaged in manufactures, and
though he was largely instrumental in
building up some of the most important
industries of the town, perhaps his best
monument--the one which most truth
fully records his character for posterity-
is the Hearn Tabernacle, on South street,
This he built but q few years ago, intend
ing 1t to be church for the people, non
sectarian, devoted to the practical as we'll
as religious uplifting of the people. Its
work is too new in the community to re.
| quire that it be dwelt upon now. The
force it has already exerted has done
| great good among that class of people
whom the other churches do not reach,
and in future years, through the ministra-
tons of those whom he chose to have
charge of this church, thousands will arise
| and call him blessed.
During Ills brief illness he was tenderly
attended by his sons Messrs. Frank j.,
| William H., Julian and Garth and his
daughter-in-iaw, Mrs. William II. Hearn.
When Mr.. Hearn's death was announced
yesterday it created profound sorrow in
business and social circles. Few residents
Of this city ever held as high a place in the
esteem OF the entire people as did MIR
| Hearn.
lie was a native of Delaware, and wa;
born September 2ith, 1918. In 1857 he wa!
married to u sister OF Fovernor Ross d
that State. In 1857 he removed to Mis-
souri,, engaging in the tobacco business a
Hannibal. Five years later he removed t
New York, conducting q similar business
there until 1865, when he went back L
Hannibal for two years. He came Il
| Wheeling in 1867, becoming partner il
the firm Of Dewey, Vance d Co., owner
of the iron works now known as the River
side.
During his connection with the com
pany the plant has been from time L
time enlarged and improved until it nov
gives employment to $500 men. Upor
the reorganization and incorporation o.
the company in 1874 Mr. Hearn became
two years, being succeeded by his son
Frank D., but still remaining a directo
and stockholder. lie was also the leadin;
spirit in the organization of the COMPANY
which built the North Wheeling pottery
and he finally acquired nearly all of tn
stock. He was also stakeholder AM
director in the Woodward iron interests ii
Alabama.
lie was chosen a member of the Hous
Of Delegates III 1871. serving his county t,
the best of its interests. He was a membu
of the Second Presbyterian Church, o
which he has been trustee for % years
Eleven children were the result of his frs
union. His first wife died i'll 1864, and il
the latter part of 1865 he was married to
daughter OF Col. j. Il. Ford, to whic
union five children were born. The chi
dren still living are: Edwin X. Hearn 6
New York, Mrs. George IL. Nettletor
Mrs. E. w. Smith, Mrs. X. b. Armour an
Robert A. Hearn of Kansas City; Frank j
William H., Julian Il. and d. Garth, a
of this city.
! Mrs. Hearn, his wife, was in Delawar
visiting relatives, but was advised OF Nj
Hearn's illness before the end came. Sh
arrived home at noon yesterday. acSon
! panied by Edwin L. Iearn. Mrs. Fran
j. Hearn and William l.. Hearn, Jr., al
expected to arrive in the city this morl
ing, and the relatives living in Kansa
City will arrive to-day in Mr.. Nettleton
4 private car. The arrangements for I'll
funeral are not yet complete but it
1 probable that the internent will take plaC
/. saturday. i'll Greenwood cemetery.
The trustees of the Tabernacle named b
!. Mr.. Hearn are; William H. Hearn, Pres
= dent; II. X. List W. W. hist, n. Z. VIII
aker, N. b. Scott, j. ]. Jones, W. A. Wi
l SON, Clement Smith, Rev. W. "A. Cook
g q. w. Adams, J. y. Vance and ]. \
/ Bruhn. These gentlemen will continl
n the good work for him,