The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-12-30
IN. R. BENSON
| is DEAD.
Stricken By Heart Neu-
ralgia He Dies With.
in Five Hours.

Nathaniel n. Benson died at his
residence. No. SOB West Fifth street
this morning after brief illness.
from paralysis Of the heart. He
was in his ADD year.
The death OF Mr.. Benson removes
from the community one Of its best
and most representative men, and
coming as 1t did-suddenly and un.
expectedly-,has caused general
sympathy. Mr.. Benson, Of late had
not been feeling we'll. but at no time
until lew hours before death came
was his condition such as to cause
n1iri,. MA family, or wide circle of
fricnds any al arm YaAtAraaY he
was around as usual. chatting
pleasantly to every one, and ap-
peared to be in the best of health.
Since Friday .ot last week Thomas
Underwood, OF Philadelphia, the
father of Mrs. Benson, has been at
the house ill, and it was Mr.. Ben
sons last duty of the day to adj
minister to the comfort oil his sick
father-in-law. Then they separa-
ted.
At ? o'clock this morning, he
complained to his wife OF severe
pains about the heart. DIR. George
Carmichael, the family physician,
was promptly called, and he, after
an examination. pronounced the all
ment neuralgia Of the heart. The
stricken man rallied somewhat from
the first attack, but a second one
followed about 4 o'clock and he eX-
pred two hours and half later
i. 80 o'clock. Members OF the fam
ily were at the bedside when death
came.
Mr.. Benson was known by every
body. He was OF commanding
presence, standing about e feet in
height, was always pleasant IN his
tanner and kind and atfectlonate
husband, father and friend. His
many acts oil kindness to people
outside OF his family won him the
esteem of those he had assisted.
He was charitable, yet without os.
tentaton. He was the friend OF the
workingman, their helper in time OF
need, and, in fact, a most eNem-
plary man. The community there
fore mourns because Of the loss his
death has caused.
HIS LIFE.
Mr.. Benson was born in Whining
ton A3 years ago last February,
being the son of Nathaniel r. and
Margaret Purnell Benson. His
early education was received at
different private in. titutons and at
the High School. Il'later attended
the Delaware State 'ormal School
and eventually graduated from the
University of Pennsylvania. as civil
engineer. On the completion OF his
education. Mr.. Benson's long con-
nectIon with the Harlan and Hol-
lingsworth Company began. HIS
early experience with this concern
covered service inIthe machlnists de-
rartments, draughting department
and as an assistant superintendent
of the ship department. BY steady
and faithful effort, he rose to a di-
rectorship of the company, and also
the distinction of being the young
est superintendent oil the concerns
largest territory, the ship yard and
dry dock. After 20 years service
he retired two years ago.
In public lite lie served one term
as a member of the Board of Edu-
cation. Despite his desire to csc he W
public office, ne was called by the
city election OF 1890, to the Presi-
dency of City Council, serving one
term in this capacity. Mr.. Benson
was at one time secretary OF the
Young Mems Republican Club. al
terw ard serving as Its president
for two years.
Socially, he did much for the pro-
gress of Wilmington having been
one of the founders of the now dis
b landed Wilmington Club, the presi-
dency Of which he filled for hive
years. He was a member of the
Royal Arcanum and of the A. o. U.
W. Mr.. Benson wasfor three years
the leader of Grace Church choir.
He was Il member of the church and
also director in the society for the
Prevention of Cruelty toChildren.
Mr.. Benson married Miss Clara
J. Underwood about twenty two
years ago. Their children are
Wilmor H., a student at Cornell
University and Leila and Katherine
The funeral of Mr.. Benson will
take place from his late residence
Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock.
Service will be held at the house,
and interment will be made at the