Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1898-10-13

fhANCIS 5. bEkkELEY UEHU
Was an H0n0red Citizen and ;
Gallant Soldier.
Francis Brooke Berkeley, one o
Staunton's most prominent and highl
esteemed citizens, died ennesday after
noon at 4:30 clock, at his residence il
this city, surrounded by his family. afte
an illness running into months
Captain Berkeley was born in Staun
ton Oh the 7th of September, 1885, ant
was therefore 63 years of age at the
time of his demise He was a son Of
Edmund Berkeley and Mary Randolph
lSpottswood Brooke. He was educated
at a Maryland Military school and the
Rappahannock Academy. Prior to the
civil war be was in the employ of the
United States, being in the paymasters S
department. When Virginia seeded he
rendered his resignation to enter the
Confederate army, his desire being to
stand with his people and country. He
Immediately Joined the Staunton- -Artil
lery of Imboden's battery. He served as a
private until 1862. when he was made
adjutant-general of the First Virginia
Regiment and later of the Sixty-second.
| The only injury he received during that
stormy period was caused by being run
l hr1o 10 II oa6 IN
ambulance to be conveyed to hospital,
but feeling that his duty was with bis
company he emerged from the ambu-
lance, unknown to it's attendants, and
returned.
He served gallantly throughout the
remainder of that trying ordeal and laid
down his arms at Appomattox with
General Lee. His record in the army
was one of bravery and daring and was
like unto that of his after life-true to
duty.
When the war closed Captain Berk-
eley entered business in Baltimore con-
Meeting himself with the National Ex-
press Company. That company soon
failed and he returned to Staunton and
entered the drug store of his father. AT
ter many years in the drug business he
gave it up to accept the position Of
teller in the Augusta National Bank, a |
position he held for seventeen years un-
til forced to give it up on account OF |
failing health last February.
Captain Berkeley On the 18th of No
yember, 1871, married Miss s. Jennie |
Baird, daughter of Rev. Samuel J.
Baird, a Presbyterian minister. OF this
union there were eight children, viz :
Misses Evelyne Spottswood, Jeanie B..
Esther B., and Messrs Frank B., Ed
ward Carter, Robert S., Maurice F. and
Shirley Carter Berkeley. His wife pre-
ceded him to the grave several years
ago, she having died on the 18th day OF
February, 1892, after twenty-one years
of happy married life. By his children
be is survived together with three
brothers and two sisters: DR.. Garter,
Edmund auL n. or-- - = Berkeley
Mrs. Iglehart, of Maryland, and Miss
Mary Berkeley, of this city. Deceased
was a consistent member of Trinity
church and was a member of
the vestry for long time. For fifteen
years he was member of the city
council and was reelected last May for
another term. During his connection
with the council he served on it's most
important committees and was for a
time its president.
Twelve years ago Captain Berkeley
received fall injuring his knee from
which he never recovered. Last April
be went to Richmond and entered the
Old Dominion Hospital to have it
treated and shortly thereafter felt so
much relieved that he had arranged to
come here. On the day he was to start
ne fell down stairway and so injured
himself that the injured leg was am
Dntated. He remained at the hospital
until July 9th. when he returned home,
and has since been confined to his home.
His death was the result of this and a
general break down in his system.
Seldom in life has man departed
this life with such clean record. From
his fellow men in this city with whom
be spent the greater portion of his useful
life, there are none to speak i'll Of him,
out all agree that he was man of spot
less character.
Captain Berkeley had been a Demo
crat all his life and in politics as well as
in war and in peace he never shirked "a
duty. Many have lived and died. but
none as fautless as Captain Francis
Brooke Berkeley. Truly good man
has gone to his reward. |,
The funeral of the late Captain Berke-
ey took place Friday afternoon, the
arge attendance fully attesting the
high esteem in which he was held. The
time of the funeral was $3.50 p. m.
Shortly before that hour the procession
was formed at his late residence, and
proceeded to Trinity Episcopal Church,
where the services were held, in the
following order: Police on foot; Stone
wall Brigade Band; Uniform Rank, K.
Of P; West Augusta Guards; Stonewall ,
Jackson Camp, Confederate Veterans .
the City Council and city officials. Next :
came the hearse followed by number
Of carriages containing the palI-bearers, .
honorary and active, members of the 6
family and friends.
The services at the church were con-
1ucted by the rector, Rev. w. @. Hulli- :
len IN an impressive manner, the choir !.
adding much to the service by its sweet
singing. With the services concluded :
1t the church the procession wended it's
way on to the cemetery. At the grave
he burial services were conducted by the
members of the Knights of Pythias as