The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-03-14

We regret TO chronicle the death of
Mr.. Albert A. Willard, who departed
this life at 6 o'clock yesterday morning
at the summer home of his son, Mir.
Martin S. Willard. on Greenville Sound.
He had been in feeble health for several
months and for several weeks his con-
dition has ben such that the end Wa
not unexpected. He entered into test
surrounded by a devoted wife and al
f~ectionate children. and while his death
Was anticipated, the severIng of the
ties of a long life bore heavily upon his
loved ones. The news of his death was
heard in the city with profound sorrow,
for lie was one of Wilmington's most
venerable and highly esteemed citizens
and>waS specially honored by those who
knew him more intimately.
Mr.. Willard was born at Harvard,
Mass, May 10, 1923, and was in the 74tn
years of his Age. His fatner vas Nehe-
miah Bachelor Willard and his mother
was hannah Emerson. His fathers
people were among the earliest settlers
OF New England, the family having
originally came from England about
1880. The family was remarkable for
sturdiness of character, industry and
perseverance. which has been illustrat-
ed to a marked degree in the life of the
deceased. He lived unconsciOusly close
to the family motto, "Goudet Patientia
Duris." and indeed took pleasure IN
overcoming adversities by the exercise
of patient fortitude. On his mothers
sid the family came of an old stock of
New England Congregational ministers,
there being several generations in sue
cessiOn. one pastorate lasting over 40
years. The family counted among its
members. the eminent author and poet,
Ralph Waldo Emerson, who was a cous-
in IF Hannnh ENr0prSnn TnnthnT of Mr.
Willard.
Mr.. Willard came south in 1915 to en-
gage in business with his brother, the
late Mr.. William II. Willard. He mar
ried Miss Mary Harris Stevenson, of
New Bern, N. c., in 1857. He lived IL
Washington. N. c.. for a number of
years. until 1861. when ne moved with
his family to Greensboro, n. c., where
he had contracts with the state Of
North Carolina to furnish articles to the
Confederate army. After the close or
the war, in 1866. the family moved to
Wilmington. Mr.. willard becoming the
senior member of the firm of Willard
Brothers which for a number OF years
was rated as the largest and strongest
mercantile house in Eastern North Car
DINA. Having me- with reverses, the
firm dissolved In 1873. a year Of great
financial disaster throughout the United
States.
After the dissolution of the firm, Mr..
Willard continued in business, engag-
ing in the Importation of salt n other
staple articles in bulk. A demand be
ing created in his own business for
means of handling salt, Mr.. Wi,l7rd
began the manufacture OF burlap bags
for his own use during the eighties.
This feature Of the business grew until
1893 when the present firm or the Will
lard Bag and Manufacturing Company.
OF this city. was incorporated with Mr..
A. A. Willard as superintendent and his
sons. Martin S. willard, and the late
Joe B. Willard as president and secre>
tary respectively. Mr.. Willard he'd y
position as superintendent of the Will
lard Bag and Manufacturing Company
antil his death. giving the firm the bene-
1T OF a large n valuable business ex-
perience. He lived to see the business
develop into one of the leading indus
tries of Wilmington.
In his religious life. Mr.. Willard has
been a devoted member of the PreSby-
terrain church. having served as a rul-
ing elder of the First Presbyterian
church of this city for the past thirty
years. His life vas Of a quiet, retiring
character, leading him away from the
turmoil of politics and public Office, his
greatest pleasure and happiness being
derived from his family intercourse. OF
his own generation he leaves n BROTH
er. DR.. A. J. willard. of Burlington. VT,
and a sister. Miss Charlotte A. Willard,
of New Haven. Conn. His wife sur
wives him together with five children
Mr.. Martin S. Willard, Of this city,
Mrs. S. c. Damon. Of Lancaster, Mass.:
Mrs. s. H. Chester. of Nashville. Tenn
Mrs. D. c. Whitfield. n Mr.. Z. Payson
Willard. both of Wilmington. The fam
lily has a wide circle of acquaintance
who sincerely sympathize with them IN
the loss of one to whom they were So
devoted and whose chief aim in life was
their happiness.
In the death Of Mr.. willard, VIII
mington loses a useful citizen. He gen.
erously gave of his means for benevo-
lent and his charity was of the
kind that often none knew but himself.
The funeral will take place this after
noon at 3 o'clock from the residence
of his SON. Mr.. NJ. s.. Willard. on Sixth
and Orange streets.