Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-03
MR. A, |, Elicit DEAD
This Leading Merchant Of For
mGr Years Passes Away.
NEARLY REACHED FOURSCORE
His Death Results from the Effects
Of Severe Burns.
HIS LONG AND USEFUL LIFE
Engaged I'm Business Here many
Yenrs Before and After the war;
Member Of the Ambulance Corps;
coIIector of Internal Revenue.
collector Of Internal Revenue

Mr. Andrew Lewis i'ilrANf Nti~ Va 1900
mond's Oldest and most highly esteemed
citizens. died at the Retreat for the SICK
Yesterday afternoon at 5:l5 o'clock, as
the result OF injuries received by him at
the home of his sister. in Hanover, about
two weeks ago.
Mr.. Elicit had been in falling health
for some time, due largely to the nhrmi-
ties of age, and had gone to Hanover to
visit his sister, with a view to recuperat-
ing his falling strength. While seated
near a fire in a room alone, he was
stricken with fainting spell, and falling
70 the floor. one arm fell into the fire.
Before assistance reached him, this MEM
Der had been quite badly burned.
Mr.. Elicit was brought to Richmond
for medical treatment and all that human
skin could devise was done for him. but
age had made such ravages on his sys-
tenn that 1t did not respond to treat
ment. and the deceased gradually sank
until at the hour named he breathed his
last. surrounded by his children, who
lovingly min.stered to his wants during
his last hours.
LONG AND USEFUL LIFE.
Mr.. Elicit was in his 18th year. having
been born in King William county July
10. 1871. His was a most usetui ana ac-
tive life and for threescore years ne nad
resided in Richmond. He received MS
education in early boyhood In Old Rum
ford Academy, in King William, ana
when IS years of age started out IN lie
TO carve his own way. He came to Rlch-
mond and accepted a clerkshp with the
firm of Willis x Brother. lie did not
long remain in the service Of this con-
Germ. and left them 10 enter the employ,
n a clerical capacity. OF j. y. Gordon
the then wholesale grocer.
After three years service as clerk,
the deceased had, by diligence and close
application, sufficiently fam!liariZed him.
self with business methods 10 embark
Oh his own account, and IN 1872 ne formed
the copartnership Of Wilingham * Elicit,
entering the wholesale dry-gOods field
as the successor of the late A. III.
Drewry with whom he was subsequently
associated. The firm of Willingham ~
Elicit prospered, and, branching out, es-
tablished the house OF Bell, Brooks, Pace
& Co.. in New York.
MEMBER OF AMBULANCE CORPS.
Major Drcwry re-entered the firm. bring
ing with him his brother. Major Clay
Drewry. The firm name was changed 10
Elicit & Drewry. and so continued until
the war broke out Mr.. Elicit entered
the ambulance corps Of the Army OF
Northern Virginia, and did service around
Richmond and IN the Valley of Virginia
throughout the four years Of strife.
After the evacuation of Richmond, Mr.
Elicit united with the late Colonel John
y. Cary and these two were the prime
movers IN the organization Of the Re
lief Committee which accomplished
much in ameliorating the distress of the
people OF this city. As soon as business
WAS resumed in Richmond Mr.. Elicit
formed the wholesale commission house
Of Elicit & Register and subsequently,,
in ISL. returned 70 the wholesale dry
goods business, under the firm name Of
Elicit x Watkins After one or two
years the style Of the firm was changed
TO a. l.. Elicit * CO.. and thus it con-
tinued until in 1883. when meeting with
financial reverses, MI Elicit retired
COLLECTOR OF CUSTOMS.
But a few months elapsed ere Mr.
Cleveland went into office as President.
and ne appointed Mr. Elicit as Collector
Of Customs for the Eastern District. For
four years the deceased filed this
responsible office, being deposed when
the Harrison Administration began. Mr.
Elicit subsequently accepted the vice
presidency of the Southern Stove-WOrks
Company, but about four years ago no
retired from active business.
Since that time he had been living with
his son. Colonel Tazewell Elicit. in this
city, though he spent much of his time
with his sister. in Hanover.
he married Miss Mamie Trent Taze-
well of Chesterfield county, November
p. 1851. and was left a widower May Z.
1885. Six children We're born OF this
union, but four only survive. They are
Colonel Tazewel Elicit and Mr.. Andrew
J.. Elicit, Jr.. Mrs. Ida Steger. and Mrs.
Cannon Fleming. all Of Richmond
4 PUBLIC SPIRITED CITIZEN
Mr. Elicit was one Of the most public
spirited Of Richmonds citizens during
the days Of his activity. He was charit-
able and IL has been said Of him that
he ruined himself. financially, IN order
that he might aid his friends. He was
well known throughout the State. and
highly esteemed by all who knew him
His remains were taken last night to
the home Of his son, Colonel TazewelI
Elicit, No. 1906 Floyd avenue, and from
this residence the funeral will take place
tomorrow at noon. Rev. J. Y Downman
will conduct the service, and the inter-
ment will be in Hollywood.