The semi-weekly messenger., 1904-02-26
WORTHY CITIZEN
He Had Been Prominent I'm the Com
mercial Interests OF Wilmington for
Half q Century-Camc 20 Whining
ton From Germany In 1S54-Served
i'm the Confederate Army, Enlist
ing In April, 1S61-Ffve Brothers
Came to this City and he is the last
to Pass AWAY.

. AR. Solomon Bear, one OF the best
known citizens in this city, died at
his home, No. 116 North Fifth street,
yesterday morning a few minutes be-
fere o'clock. He had been in i'll
health for the past two years. but
his condition had been critical since
last Sunday one week ago.
Mr. Bear was never a strong man.
and his death was due principally to
natural decline. A number of times
during the past ten days he seemed
to be breathing his last, but each
time he rallied until yesterday. when
he quietly passed away. He was con-
scisus up to the last moment.
Ar. Solomon Bear was born at Oct
tershausen, province of Bavaria Ger
many, on March 16, 1884. He came
to Wilmington in 1854 and engaged
in the mercantile business. in which
business he remained until the out
break of the Civil War, when he en-
listed in the Confederate army. In
April, 1861, he enlisted IS a corporal
in the German Volunteers. a Whining
ton Company. He had been a mem"
Der Of the company for some time be-
fore the outbreak of the war. This
company, together with the Whining
ton Light Infantry. Rifle Guards and
Cape Fear Riflemen, proceeded to
Fort CaSwell and took charge of same.
In the fall of 1861 Mr.. Bear was
transferred TO Howard's cavalry, a
Nar1lT NV fnh raic in md
n the vicinity Of Wilmington, and
commanded by Captain VIM. c.. How
ard. On account of ill health, he was
relieved in 1863 and ordered to re-
part for duty at thehospitaI In Rich
-mond, known as the United States
Hotel. While at the hospital he acted
In the capacity of a messenger and
His discharge was due to ill health
and upon the advice of his physicians.
General Sedden, secretary of war un-
der the Confederate government, gave
kim a passport to go to Europe. The
passport was signed by Gov. Vance
and Gen. Whiting. Mr.. Bear left Will
mington for Europe on a blockade
running steamer in 1864. He re-
manned in Europe until after the war
and then returned to Wilmington and
0SaIn engaged in the mercantile busi-
ness. He opened a store at No. 20
Market street and has occupied the
same store since that time.
For more than half a century Mr..
Bear has occupied a foremost posi-
ton in the mercantile life of Will
mington. He always took a great
interest in anything that would aid
Wilmington and showed his conf
dence in the future of the city by
Investing largely in real estate.
Mr.. Bear was one of the first. II
not the first one to build modern
cottage at Wrightsville Beach. He
was was very fond of his summer
home, "Breezeland," which is re-
garded as one of the prettiest cot
tases on the beach.
In 1872 Mr. Bear started a move
ment to secure funds to build the
present Temple OF IsraeI. The pres
emf congregation was organized In &c
rober, 1872, and Mr.. Bear was made
president, u position he held up to
the time of his death. In 1898 the
tyenty-fifth celebration was held ana
Mr.. Bear was presented with a loV>
ing cup as a token OF appreciation
by the members of the congregation.
He was a member of Cornelius
Harnett Council No. 251, Royal Ar
eanum. of which lodge he was char
ter member: Germania Lodge NO 4.
knights of Pythias; Independent Or
der of B'nai Birth; Cape Fear camp
United Confederate Veterans, ana tne
Chamber of Commerce.
Mr.. Bear was married in 1857 to
Miss Henrietta DeMebuem. OF Rich
mond. Va, and as a result of that
unien leaves eight children-three
sons and five daughters. Mrs. Bear
preceded her husband to the grave
three years ago.
The deceased leaves three sons.
Messrs. Isadore, Irving and Frederick
Bear, and five daughters, Mrs. 8. A.
Schioss, Mrs. Sol. Sternberger, Mrs.
:Rehecca Sternberger, Mrs. Julius
Sernberger and Miss Viola Bear. He
eiso' leaves one sister, Mrs. Julius
Fernberger, who lives in Wurtemburg,
Germany. She is the last surviving
member of the family.
When Mr.. Solomon Bear first came
to Wilmington he came alone, but
later four of his brothers Joined him.
All of his brothers preceded him to
the grave.
The funeral will be conducted from
the late residence, No. 116 North Fifth
street this afternoon at o'clock. Rev.
DIR. MendelSohn. rabbi Of the Temple
of Israel, will conduct the services.
The members of Cape Fear Camp
IJnited Confederate Veterans. will at
tend the funeral in body. The
Daughters of the Confederacy on yes
terday sent a beautiful laurel wreath
bound with Confederate ribbons TO
be placed upon the body.
The remains will be inferred In
tOakdaie cemetery.