Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-01-26
DEATH OF DELL NoBLIT.
Was horn IN Wilmington -wnere lie Re-
ceiyed HIS Early business Training.

Was horn IN wiiiningtdn witefs lie Re-
ceiyed His EARLY business Training.
Dell Noblit, who died on Saturday
last at his rosidnce at Edgewater Park,
N. j., was born September 2lst, 1926,
in this city. His father was Dell Nob!it,
d well-known citizen of Wilmington
who lived to be over 100 years old. At
an early age,Mr Noblit eyinoed q pref.
erance for mercantile life md was
placed as a clerk in q dry goods store
In this city, where he remained year
and half preparing himself for a bust.
ness on a larger scale When he had
attained his 10Th year at the expiration
of his noviciate he found himself ready
10 enter wider field of enterprise,
which he sought in Philadelphia,
where the extensive business connection
of his father procured for him an ad- I
yantageous position with the firm Of :
Finley a Co. He became thoroughly \
conversant with the business Of furnish 7
| ing, his income steadily incfea,ing
until it attained o respectable figure
and his position in the trade becoming
more and more assured.
| In 1S4a he engaged in business on
| his own account, attn SO South Second
street, Philadelphia, where he en-
| barlked on q Most prosperous career,
1 receiving among his, first orders one
from the well-known and highly
4 respected Capt. Lopez, for the complete
equipment, with all essentials III his
| line of several ocean steamers, then in
process of construction. This order he
carried out to the entire satisfaction
OF the owners and from that time
onward his SUCCESS as merchant was
assured. His business increased almost
from the beginning with q rapidly
which compelled him to seelsa partner,
whom he found in his brother, John
Noblit, their association proving for
both judicious measure, and pecu,
liarly fortunate in its results.
Soon after the formation OF the part
nership, their attention was called to
the weaving of hair cloth as branch
Il OF their business, which promised to
become Of the first Importance. At
that time. although on immense guam.
, tity of hair cloth was used in America
/ very little Of it was Of home production
| the market being supplied chiefly from
/. Germany and England, ID. x D.. Noplit
for such was the firm name, believing
that il could be made in Philadelphia,
commenced its manufacture by hand,
but their resources were soon drawn
upon to so great an extent by the
rapidly increasing demand that they
began to consider the necessity oil
having recourse to steam.
A In 1855 site for factory was secured
at Jefferson and Randolph streets
Fifty looms were put in the new build
ing, and the manufacture of hair clott
:. was begun, and conducted on an exten
y sive scale--a manufacture which ha
+, ever held its place in the American
markets.
Mr.. Noblit's well earned reputation
for integrity and ability among tn
merchants of Philadelphia, combine
'e with his high personal character quail
fed him peculiarly for any position
sr trust and responsibility in which ther
y might be need of superior talent, q fac
T. too obvious to escape the notice of hi
3 fellow -citizens. When, therefore, tn
I" Corn Exchange Bank became chai
!. tered institution, and President A, 9
Z. Cattell, retired from active duty, earl
ID in 1870 the administration of the affair
S, of the bank was intrusted to Nj
ID Noblit. On Mr.. Cattell's former resign;
g. ton of the Office of president at u
end Of that year, Mr.. Noblit was unan
IN mously elected to succeed him. Th
] Office he retained f5r II years.
He was prominent member of y
n, Protestant Episcopal Church. +
OF many years he served in the capacity
he yestryman, warden and superintende
ed of the Sunday -school, and ever felt t
deepest interest ineyerything that &C
ed cerned the welfare OF the church. :,
on Mr.. Noblit was the brother of Nj
a, Charles ID, Murray of this city,