The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-09-14

Which Deceased was u Member, take
Appropriate Action.
The news OF the death of Wilbur
Clarke Brockunier yesterday at the
home OF his aunt, Miss Rebeeea Clarke
near Bridgeport, was received with I'M
feigned regret throughout this commu-
nifty, for Mr.. Brockunler was one OF the
eIty's most prominent citizens and en-
dyed the respect of all who knew him,
His serious illness, which began several
weeks ago, while he was visiting at the
home of Miss Clarke, was not generally
known in the city. so the intelligence OF
his demise was received with surprise
by the general public. The funeral is
to occur on "Wednesday meFnIng, at 10
o'clock, from the home of the deceased's
brother, AIR. C. W. Brockunler, $40 Main
street, with interment at Greenwood
Wilbur Clarke Brockunier was born
In Wellsburg, W. Va, February 20, 1886
He was the eldest son OF the widely
known Methodist divine, the Rev. sam
nel II. Brockunier, and great-grand-
son OF the pioneer settler of this section,
Colonel Ebenezer Zane.
In lS59-6O-6l, he was teller of the
Northwestern Bank, of Virginia, which
had branches at Parkersburg, Point
Pleasant and Jeffersonville. At the
commencement of the war he took a
position In the pay department and for
two years assisted in paying the troops
in the field. The latter year OF the war
he was chief clerk of the mountain de-
partment and millions Of dollars pass
ed through his hands, .y
In 1865 he became connected with the
Wheeling Iron Company Cop MID OF
which company he was secretary for
several years.
In 1862, with ]. b. Ford, j. II. Hobbs,
John Handlan and his brother, he en-
gagged In the development OF oil In
Richie county, this state, and after
wards, with others ne formed the Two
Brothers OIL Company, of which he was
made secretary. This company opened
up the Belmont field in Peasants coun-
ty, and is now operating in Tyler and
Wetzei counties. He was a man of fine
NhAAulNl NANGuolNN lNhhNl ANhAS
and entertaining conversatlonallst and
frequent contributor 10 the pross He
was considered an authority respecting
the pioneer history Of this section Of
country. In 1876, the Indiana Asbury
University (now De Paun) at Green
castle, Ind, conferred on him the hon
orary degree OF master of arts. DR.. Alex
Martin, the president at the time, In .
letter announcing the honor conferred,
said: Coming as this does, from our
Oldest and chief school in the Great
Valley and one somewhat chary In
granting hoRers. Il Is no unmeanihg
compliment. To myself and your many
friends, 1t is the more gratifying from
the assurance that II is well deserved"
When the Wheeling Library AssocIa-
ton was formed In 1853, he was elected
the first treasurer. and also, with Hon.
Charles W. Russell and DR.. W. j. Batter,
was appointed TO select the books for
the library. This library now belongs
to the city,
Mr.. Brockunler Joined the Fourth
Street NJ. Il. church In May. 1866 His
official career in that church has been
n long and honored one. He was chosen
steward In 1871 and served In that ca
paclty until February 10. 1872, when he
was elected trustee to I'LL the vacancy
Occasloned by the death of N Robert
Hamilton, This office he continued TO
fill to the time OF his death--a period OF
twenty-five years. He was for many
years librarian and teacher IN the Sab
bath school.
At special meeting OF the official
board OF the Fourth Street Methodist
Episcopal church held September 10,
1897, to give fitting expression OF their
sense of the great loss In the not uneX-
peCted death yesterday morning of their
late associate and brother, Wilbur Clarke
Brockunler, the following minute. was
presented and unanimously adopted:
The death OF Brother Brockunler was
not unexpected. For several years past
his health had been visibly failing; but
while the physical man failed, the Chris
tian man grew stronger. He was quiet
and unobtrusve In manner, gentle and
amiable In disposition. but earnest and
decided in his Views of right and stout
and vigorous In their defense.
Conscientious and upright IN his deal
ings with all men; wise and Just In his
judgments Of men and means, his ad-
NlNI W DIS spubHN anu appltNldltI bOlH III
the church and out OF it,
His work, particularly In the Sunday
School, continued UP aud Until physical
health and family obligations made nee
essary a change Of residence to the
country, was of strikingiy valuable
worth. indeed, there have been few of
his contemporaries who have made a
more deep and lasting Impress for good
than he, upon the minds OF his Sunday
School class. His work In the church,
especially that pertaining to It's records
and the preservation OF Its local history,
has been highly appreciated and as
knowledged by his brethren He was a
man Of great delcaey and refinement OF
feeling; Of clean life pure from his
youth up; of spotless character: read
err OF good books with an ability 10 TN
derstand and appreciate, and with an
aptness to utilize what he read: indeed,
he was one Of the most cultured. and
elegantly educated men In our midst
Every phase of his life showed the re-
flnement Of this culture. There is no
one to take his place. and truthfuliy
may we say that by none viii his death
be more fully and keenly felt than by
his official brethren OF this board
As he neared the end, how cheering
that his faith In the Saviour brighten
ed; as earthly things faded from his
vision. heavenly things opened on his
view. The Master called; he heard: he
looked, and 10! he had seen the King
In His beauty"