Smyrna times., 1900-06-20
HON. JOHN H. HOFFECKER DEAD
DIED SUDDENLY FROM APOPLEXY AT HIS
HOME SATURDAY MORNING.
Congressman of Delaware; President OF Fruit
Growers Bank and a Man of Large
Affairs-Great Loss to Smyrna.

Congressman of Delaware; President OF Fruit
Growers Bank and a Man of Large
Affairs-Great Loss to Smyrna.
This town was, perhaps, never so Sc
verely shocked by death, as it was on
Saturday morning last, shortly after
nine o'clock, by the announcement of
the sudden death of the Hon. John
Henry Hoffecker. His death was due
to apoplexy and was the work of only a
few minutes.
He had returned from Washington a
week before, in the full vigor of
health, receiving the hearty congratu-
tions of his many friends. On We'd
nesday he had been to Philadelphia,
on business in connection with the
Fruit Growers National Bank, of
which he was President. While III
Philadelphia, he met several of his
constituents, who invited him to go to
the Hotel Walton, where he had a
pleasant conference with the leaders of
both factions of Delaware Repub-
licans.
On Thursday evening, with his wife,
he attended the reception of the Pres
ident of the Conference Academy at
Dover; and was in the receiving line,
with Gov. Tunnel, Chancellor Mich
son and other State dignitaries. He
returned to his home on Friday, and
the abrupt announcement of his death,
the following morning, without even
brief illness, seemed more than could
be believed; but was only too true.
The tidings spread rapidly throughout
the town, and was on the wires in a
few minutes.
Community Plunged in Gloom.
He had arisen and eaten breakfast
with his usual relish, and intended
taking the next train for Phil
adelphia. Shortly after breakfast he
experienced slight attack of indiges-
tion, which his wife Immediately re-
lieved. Feeling better, he dispatched
several letters, but the attack recur-
ring, his physician, DR.. Dwight, was
Immediately summoned. But before
he arrived, Mr.. Hoffecker had suffered
the fatal stroke. The members of his
family were at once notified and were
soon at the homestead. A family had
suddenly been left in sadness and {
community plunged in gloom.
There are none, however wide theil
political opinions may have differed
who do not bear Mr.. Hoffecker tn,
highest respect as citizen. He was
generally accorded the first place as t.
individual prominence. His counse
was sought in affairs of State ant
Church.
He was III many respects ''com
moner, belonging to all classes, an,
his advice and help was sought b,
scores, who had no claims upon hin
beyond the knowledge of his kindl
nature. 1t is certain that, the death o
no one in the community could hav
affected the interests of such a larg
class of individuals.
While giving much of his time t,
what he considered the best interest
of the State, politically, it was tn
church and its affairs that came til
nearest to his heart. He was cor
verted and became member of Asbur
M. E. Church when a boy, and man
have been his concentrations to th
young in public meetings, to con
mence a religious life in their you'll
He was one of the kind that nev'
wavered, and had been leading off
cial member for over forty years, an
for twenty years prior to his elec tic
to Congress, the superintendent of IL
Sunday School. He was attentive
all the meetings through the week
we'll as Sunday, and his pastor alwa,
knew where to find him.
Funeral Services This Afternoon.
The fun eral takes place this afte
noon. The services had been arrange
to take place at his nome at l.3O o'cloc
but in obedience to public wish Il
family yielded to its being held at Il
church, where a much larger numb
of people could be accommodated tina
in any private house. The funer
discourse was by his pastor, Rev.
A. Hill, assisted in the services by Sc
eral former pastors. By general agre
ment the stores of the town were clos
from 1.3O to 3.3O o'clock. The remai
were laid to rest in the family lot
Glenwood cemetery, following the Sc
vices at the church.
And thus has been cut off a life th
no one was expecting to end for ten
fifteen years yet.
The floral display was very han
some, chief among which was pill
hy the family a aickla of awaat meas