Smyrna times., 1900-01-17
DEATH OF EDWARD BECK.
PASSED AWAY EARLY SUNDAY MORNING
AFTER A LINGERING ILLNESS.
For Over Fifty Years One of Smyrna's Lead
ing Merchants and Leaves a Large Fam
lily to Mourn His Loss.


lily to Mourn His Loss.
Edward Beck died at his residence
at an early hour Sunday morning, the
immediate cause being imhammatory
rheumatism. The first manifestation
of breaking down in health, was an
attack of this disease in October,
shortly before his family had celebra-
ted his list anniversary. After sew
eral weeks. confinement to his home he |
got out again. The second attack was
more virulent, lasting only two weeks, |
the last five days being without hope,
and the members of the family were
summoned home by telegram.
Mr.. Beck's departure leaves greatly
bereaved family, his death being the
first that has come to an adult member
of it. 1t falls particularly severe on
the widow and youngest daughter, who
are the only ones remaining at the
homestead, the others having married
and set up in homes for them
| selves.
He was the oldest merchant in
Smyrna, dating back over half a CEN
tury, in fact with few exceptions, all
the prominent merchants doing bust
ness in Smyrna at the present time,
clerked for him in their early life. He
was natural born merchant, endowed
with those qualities that WIN and hold
customers, to which was added tact,
industry and an ever ready oversight
of all his business.
He came to Smyrna when 13 years of
age and clerked first for Gov. VIM.
Temple, and afterward for Jas. l.. and
John HI. Bewley and Jas. r. Clements,
all of whom were leading merchants in
their day. He went in business for
himself i'll 1851. He thus continued
about twenty years, after which he re-
moved to his farm for about three
years, situated near Clayton, which
now belongs to the st. Joseph's In
dustrial School, returning to Smyrna
and the mercantile business in 1876,
| III bIC otOIG hOh OCCuDACO
by w. E. Hall & Son.
He soon built up large business, as
a man of his vim and tact would be
; certain to do. In 1878, few years
after, he bought the residence of DR.
& J. E. Clawson, few doors below, tore
0 it down and erected large store.
I house. This place he conducted until
: stricken down by death.
: In early life he married Miss Mary
) Elizabeth Foster, of the Eastern Shore
r who for AZ years made him a congenial
4 companion, and mourns with her chill
4 dren his death.
His only recreation seemed to be II
: improving real estate, having giver
n much time in bringing up several farms
d into a high state of cultivation. H
! became member of the NJ. E. churcl
~ about 46 years ago and has since live
|. consistent Christian life, and was al
,e ways liberal giver. He was Away
ready to do anyone kindness an,
'. never seemed happier then when Civ
20 ing employment to the poor.
n His several children who surviv
o. him are: William L. Beck, E. Harr
" Beck, Charles A. Beck, Mrs. A. T
as Fowler, Mrs. Edw. G.. Walls, Mrs.
9. Edw. DeFord and Miss Edith Beck.
v. The remains were inferred this a
ternoon at 2 o'clock in Glenwood Cen
o. etery, his pastor, Rev. G. A. Hill
III officiating.
-. The following from distance wer
ev in attendance: VIM. DeFord and wi
nm of Chestertown, Md; Mrs. A. J. Cad
nix Walter Morgan and wife, Miss Ann
as Morgan, Sudlersville, Md; VIM. Bra
val and wife, Camden, N. j.; A. E. Fo'
Ter, wife and children, Richard Tril
BILE and daughter, Miss Eunice, w.
Weimer, Sr., Mrs. Frank Busser, MI
J. G. Mariner, Chas. A. Beck, Phila
!. Mrs. Boyd Cooke, Wilmington; T.
Gray and wife, Bridgeville; VIM.
ess Beck, Greenwich, Conn; M. o. Be
iamin, wife and son, Baltimore, Nd.
cid