Smyrna times., 1900-06-20
SMYRNA'S OLDEST CITIZEN DEAD.
Captain John Mustard Passed Away Friday,
in His Ninety-Fifth Year-Funeral
Largely Attended Monday

Largely Attended Monday
Captain John Mustard, who died on
Friday last, had the distinction OF
being not only an honored, but our
oldest citizen, ninety-fve years old
less two months, being born in 1905.
His life, until past his Goth year, was
one of great constitutional vigor. For
three or four years there was an evil
dent decline, especially the last year,
and the last month was one of severe
struggle between death and the vital
forces, his life the most of the time,
hanging on balance, death finally
claiming the victory on Friday morn
ing last.
He was born at Smyrna Landing in
what will be remembered as the brick
granary (then a dwelling, now gomez
that stood just over the New Castle
county bridge When a babe he was
taken out of the second story of this
house in boat at the time of a great
freshet, his parents moving to near
Lewes, where he grew up and learned
the tanning business. He came back
to Smyrna i'll 1886 or 81 to work for
Alexander Peterson, and showed such
proficiency and executive ability, that
Mr.. Peterson took him in business
with him. The latter moved to Phila
delphia in a few years thereafter,
but Mr.. Mustard continued in charge,
the firm name remaining the same
Peterson & Mustard-until they were
succeeded by the sons of the latter,
who continued until tanning beca me
Improbable.
Fifty or sixty years ago the Tannery
was perhaps our largest industry fol
the employment of men, most of then
supply of bark was procured from this
vicinity. Mr.. Mustard was a man
known and quoted far and wide. He
was one of the successful men of the
town for a number of years.
Saw Much of Smyrna's Growth.
When he came to Smyrna and wen
into business, the town was only one
quarter the size it is now. 1t fell tC
his lot see more changes than any per
son who has died in the past severa
years.
1t sentiment, Mr.. Mustard was con
servative-but from youth there were
always two things he could swear by
the Democratic party and the Presby
terian church-and each found in hin
that strong backing that challenge
admiration, for he was honest in hi
convictions. Though so free in his as
sent of mind, prompt attendance an
, readiness to help in all financial opera
tions, he did not become member an
elder until twenty-three years age
He was naturally a conservative be
lever in things as they were, and ha
the question of revision of the Cor
=, fession of Faith come up in his NOR
active days, it would doubtless foun
in him sturdy opponent.
Though an active partizan in polite
it was not for self, and we do not ca
to mind but one Office that he filled
that of State Senator, some eightee
years ago. In his off hours from Les
islative duties, he was quite populf
with men like Geo. V. Massey an
others, for his quaint humor and DIR
Jokes, as we'll as his hard sense.
Mr.. Mustard was married twic,
His first wife was Miss Temperate
Richards, of Sussex county, the mothe
of his children. The second, who die
year ago, was the widow of job
Eaton, of this town.
His children were: Othniel, Joh1
j. (who died last year, Horace, Mar.
z. wife of Rev. S. M. Perry, and Maggi
: wife of Mr.. H. G. Murphey. The fur
). eral was Monday afternoon in I'll
,e Presbyterian cemetery, Rev. J.
a Estlin officiating.
'1 Funeral Largely Attended.
" A ripened sheaf of wheat was an a.
propriate emblem in consideration