The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-02-11

John W. Todd, General Superintendent
of the Diamond State Iron Company, died
this morning ut $50, at his home, No.
1903 West 18th street, this city. Mr.. Todd
met with an accident some twenty-five
years ago, which resulted in the forming
of an abscess In the leg near the hip. This
was removed by an operation performed
by DR.. AgDew, of Philadelphia, at tho
time. For many years Mr.. Todd felt NJ
special Inconvenience from the trouble,
except slight lameness, but some tw,.
years ago, after some extra exertion, there
was a recurrence of the trouble since
which time he has suffered very greatly
and has undergone three surgical opera.
tions, the last one in May of last year, after
which he was so relieved as to be able to
give quite good deal of attention to his
business until just before the holidays,
when he was taken much worse, and hiN
naturally strong constitution finally sue.
cumbed to.a complication Of diseases, u
above.
Mr. Todd was born February 18th, 1867,
at the Todd farm near Riverview, which
property still remains in posse ssion of the
family. Until about sixteen years of ago
he worked OH tho farm, attending school
first at Shellpot, and later at Clarkson
1aylors School in this city safter which hs
took II business course Mt the Bryans S raj
ton Business College in Philadelphia.
About 1870 he connected himself with the
Diamond State Iron Company, in the cap
acty of Clerk, and with view to learning
practically the mechanical part of the bus!
ness, and has continued with the Company
since, He was fortunate in having the.
privilege of being trained by that master
of the Iron business, Mr. John Il. Davis
who for 80 many years preceded him in the
capacity of General Superintendent of Jb
Works. and upon tho death Of Mr.. Davis.
which occurred May 2Sth 1890, Mr.. Todd
was well equipped to succeed him in the
position Of General Superintendent Of the
Company.
Mr.. Todd wasn very close student Of
everything which pertained to hi, busl-
ness, both theoretical and practical, Keep.
ing thoroughly posted as to all that wa,
being written ns well as pructicod in the
trade from time to time, and his peculiar
ability in the line of mathematics assts'oi
him greatly in his information as to the
costs of the products Of the works, SO that
he always had thoroughly In hand tho
fullest information as to the working oub
of his plans. Again, his happy and cheer.
full disposition made him most agreeable
employor,ssso that it seldom happens thai
one having charge of large numbers Of
men is held in such high esteem a. was
Mr.. Todd by the employees over whom no
had charge, so that simple request from
work be done in unusual haste or with
special caro-, always met with tho most
cheerful compliance.
Mr. Todd was married May 5th, 1875, to
Mary Grubb Palmer, daughter of John
Palmer. They had one son, Clarence, who
died several years ago when quito small.
NrI. Todd survives him.
He was thoroughly temperate, always
cheerful, und WAS member of Trinity r.
Il. Church. Mr.. Todd always had Il srcnt
fonlness for music, and. until his business
responsibilities absorbed 50 much of his
time, gave q grent deal Of his services to
various churches of. the city, and so--o OF
the special choruscs of which no had
charge number Of years ago. which iavo
several sacred cantatas in tho Opera House
and at other places, were very successful.
and were the special musical features Of
ths city at Tho timo.
Tho long and painful illness which Mn,
Todd was called upon to endure brought
forth the strong points In his character,
and it seldom happens that such mani.
festatlon of manly courage and sublime
resignation Is shown. His end camo 20
gradually and peacefully that he was fully
aware of 1t almost to the last and amorR
his latest words We're, Praise the Lord"