Smyrna times., 1905-07-26
SMYRNA. DEL. WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON JULY 26 1905
RALPH CULBRETH HOFFECKHR DEAD
Passed Away Shortly After Noon on Thursday
AFTER Ten Years of an IucurabIe AffIictiOn
impressive PuneEalServices Monday.

Passed Away Shortly After Noon on Thursday
AIer Ten Years of an IucurabIe AffIictiou
impressive Funeral Services Monday.
Ralph Culbreth Hoffecker. one Of
Smyrna's brightest and most promis. |
ing young men, who for ten wears
has been afflicted with an incurable
disease, has gone home to his Eter.
nal Rest. The dissolution took
place at one O'Clock Thursday after
noon superinduced by an attack of
malarial fever of three days duration
from which he could not rally. twas
the premature ending of an unusually
sad life. Coming to his majority with
a culture, training and education that
was prepared to fit him for an honor
able and useful existence and with
brilliant prospects of career that had
been wisely chosen and mapped out.
his fondest dreams and ambitions were
bllghted by disease that baffied the
best medical skill and left him a hope
less invalid. Always looking on the
bright side, cheerful, buoyant, and
with heroism and fortitude manifested
in strong degree, his affiiction knew
no complaining while his life was a
continual sunshine to those about him.
The deceased was son of James P.
and the late Alice (Culbreth) Hoffecker
and was born August "a, 1871. His
mother died when he was five years of
age. After the lapse of a number of
years his father again married and in
the new relation he found a most de-
voted and sffectionate mother who
gave him deep and abiding mother
love that had been a constant soiaee to
him in the years of his affection. He
was educated in the Smyrna Public
Schools and graduated with first hon
ors in the class of 1888. After two
years spent at Marston's Preparatory
School in Baltimore, he passed with
high credit his entrance examinations
and matriculated at Harvard University
from which institution he graduated
with honors in 1894. Splendidly educa-
ted and equipped with that culture and
refinement acquired from his pleasant
four years association in New England
he went back to Baltimore and matricu-
lated at the Maryland Law School
! with the intention of completing his
course and taking up the practice
of law with his uncle, Richard S. Gull
breth, Esq. His ambitious desire to
become settled led him to attempt the
completion of three years course in
two years and would have graduated in
the spring of 1896. He had passed one
of these years of study successfully
with another yet to be accomplished.
1t was at this time, ten years ago, that
multiple sclerosis of the spinal cord
made its first appearance, affecting his
hands similarly to writer's paral-
ysis and gradually involving his whole
nervous system.
Funeral services took place at bis
late residence on Main Street Monday
afternoon before a large number OF
friends and relatives. The services
were in charge of the Rev. Charles A.
Hill of Salisbury, Md. formerly pastor
of Asbury Me. Church, this town, as
sisted by Presiding Elder VIC. Koons
Each payed touching tribute to the
beautiful life and character of the de.
ceased. Favorite hymns were sung by
a male quartette aud at the conclusion
of the services at the house, a large
cortege followed the remains to its las
resting place in the family burying lo
in Glenwood Cemetery. The flora
tributes were many and handsome
Six cousins of the deceased, Messrs
Walter o. Hoffecker, John A. Hoffeckel
j. Edwin Hofcecker, Luther r. Hof
fecker, Robert d. Hoffecker, Jr., ant
Hervey p. Hall acted as honorary pal
bearers.