The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-08-07
PROMINENT CITIZEN DEAD
Death of Mr.. Samuel Bear Sunday
at "riShtsviIIe Beach-FuneraI
Held Yesterday Morning.

Mr.. Samuel Bear. ST.. one of Will
mingtOn's oldest and most prosperous
merchants and a prominent citizen
highly esteemed bv all. is dead. TIKI
end, which had been momentarily ex-
pected for the last fortnight or 50.
came Sunday morning at 4:3O O'Clock
and marked the close of a useful life
that had been we'll spent in the inter-
est of others.
Mr.. Bear had been sick for some
time. suffering with a throat affection.
He received treatment at the hands Of
some of the most noted physicians and
throat specialists in the country and
New York. where he underwent an
operation performed by the famed DR..
Bull.
Upon his return home it was seen
that the vitality. once so strong and
active. was or the wane and that soon
his soul would go back to Him who
gave ii. Yet with all the suffering
which the painful and fatal throat NAL
ady brought with it Mr.. Bear retained
his bright nature and lovable DISPOSE
ton.
After returning home the patient was
carried to his summer home on
Wrightsville Beach, where his every
wish was gratified by loving hearts
and where he was tenderly nursed and
cared for by skilled hands. There. at
the Sabbath hour mentioned. the end
came peacefully and in the midst Of the
devoted member of his family. to
whose interest and pleasure he had
dedicated his life. and who now mourn
with most poignant grief his pass
ing away.
The deceased personally was a man
of attractiveness. for he possessed a
mir of exceptional brightness.
which, bv kind word or pleasant jest,
constantly shed sunshine into the lives
of others. Two of the noblest attrib-
utes of mankind were also his-frank
ness and sincerity. He never de-
were compelled to admire him.. Then
there was another side to his charac-
ter, a side hat his modesty kept him
from revealing OStentatiOuSly, but
which will d lustre to his crown in
the etrenal haven of rest. That side
was 'sweet charity n from it scores
of the poor and otherwise distressed
of this city derived many comforting
hours.
His domestic life was also beautiful
and to his home ne had ever been de-
voted. The church. too.-the Jewish
Synagogue. of which he was a faith
full member-claimed much of his love.
Commercially, Mr.. Bear stood in the
front rank of Wilmington's business
men and was one of the very oldest of
the merchants. for his prosperous
career dated Jack almost half a cen
fury. He was known throughout the
state and was especially highly esteem
ed by the country people. who will hear
of his death with great sorrow.
S1mnal Pear Sr was a native Of
Oetterchausen. Bavaria, Germany,
where re was born January II, 1897
just So years. 6 months and Is days
before mis- death. In 1855 ne left his
native cline and followed his two
brothers. Mr.. Sol Bear. and the late
Marcus Bear. to America and to Will
mington. The three brothers formed
a c~o-partnership n conducted an TX
tensive dry goods business on Market
street under the firm name of Sol Bear
& Bro About 1881 he withdrew from
the we'll known firm and embarked in
| business for himself. conducting a
l large wholesale grocery and tobacco
| establishment also on Market street.
| Under his able direction the business
| steadily advanced and increased in size
| until it reached it's present extensive
| and prosperous standing. Last Sep
| TENDER he permitted his sons. Messrs.
| Isaac j.. Sigmund and Emanuel. l., tc
n % IL III III NA~
| business and the style Of the firm was
| changed from that of Samue Bear
| Sr.. to the present title of Samuel Bear
Sr.. & Sons.
Mr.. Bear married Miss Babette
F~orchheimer. a native of his own city
and a lady Of high attachments. The
wedding was celebrated IN 1866 il
| Oetterchausen. where Mr.. Bear went
direct from here on the happy mission
This loving wife and three daughters
Mrs. A. Rothschild and Misses Mamie
and Julia Bear. and four sons, MesSrs
isaac J.. SigTnund. Emanuel l.. ane
Moses Bear. all of this city. survive
him. A brother. Mr.. Sol Bear. of VIII
mington. a sister. Mrs. J. F~ernberger
of Wurtzburg. Germany. are also lief
to mourn his departure.
The remains We're brought UP to tn
city yeserdav morning and at 10 O'Clock
the funeral was held at the family res
idence. No. 81 North Front street. [
was largely attended n the flora
tributes were numerous and yer.
handsome. The funeral was particu
larry marked by the presence of man!
of Wilmington'S Oldest citizens. VIII
had been pleasantly associated Will
the deceased in his younger days.
The service at the residence was i'm
p~ressivelv conducted by Rev. s. Men
delsohn, D. D.. rabbi of the synagogue
This divine also conducted the servic
at Oakdale cemetery. where the re
mains were tenderlv aid To rest.
The pallbearers We're Drs. L. H. 10y
and T. s. Burbank. Major W. H. Der
nard, Messrs. Thomas Evans and \
Lehman. honorary: and Messrs. Benz
Goodman. VIM. Blanks. Martin O'Bri"1
Martin Newman, J. We'll and Simon
Solomon, active.