Smyrna times., 1905-02-22
EX-SHERlFF WILLIAM WILDS DEAD.
Passed Away at His Home Saturday Morning
at the Advanced Age of SS Years-Was One
Time Postmaster and Hardware Dealer.

/
Smyrna's oldest citizens passed away
at his home on West Commerce Street
about nine o'clock Saturday morning
after lingering illness in the 98th year
of his age. His death was the result
OF general breaking down of his sys-
tenn, superinduced by an attack of
pneumonia. For several years the de-
ceased has been in failing health aud
has hardly ventured beyond the
threshold of his home. The death of
William Wilds, removes the last sur
viving member of a family of twelve
children of the late Nathaniel Wilds,
who in the early part of the past CEN
tury was land large owner and promi
nent citizen of Kenton Hundred. Will
liam Wilds was the most delicate of
the family but outlived all his brothers
and sisters. He was born on the old
Wild's plantation now known as the
underwood Farm" on April 25, 1917
and after good country school edu-
cation, the best that was afforded in
those days, he left to seek his fortune
in the west. He only remained about
seven or eight years when he came
to Delaware and settled in Smyrna.
He soon became a prominent citizen
and leading politician. During the
administration of President Franklin
Pierce (1S53-57, he was appointed
postmaster of Smyrna, then a fourth
class office. succeeding Peter Wynn,
which position he held until E. j. Colt
was appointed. In those days before
the railroad the mail was served by
the stage route over the ''King's High
way or State Road.
On November, the 18th, 1868, he was
elected Sheriff of Kent County, sue
ceeding Sheriff Purnell Emerson and
holding the Office until'Samuel Harga-
dine was elected and took hold. As
sheriff he made a good officer and in
, the performance of his duty, was ever
Jealous of uphOlalng the dignity of the
, law. After his term had expired, he
came back to Smyrna and opened a
, hardware store in the building now
: occupied by Mrs. M. A. Winford and
later built the large brick building,
now the Fruit Growers National Bank
, property, where he conducted thriv-
ing business. He was for time asso-
ciated with his son, William, in the
: hardware business at Clayton. About
: twenty-five years ago he retired from
4 business and has since been leading q
quiet life. While a man of nervous
Q temperament and positive convictions,
t he was nevertheless genial and affable
3 of manner and always had a smile OF
/: recognition and a kindly greeting fol
everybody. He married In 1912, Miss
a Elizabeth A. Scott, who for 81 years
was his constant companion unit
I Death took her from him on October
= 1st, 1899. Five children were born tC
= them: Nathaniel, Charles and Robert
e who died some years ago, and Samue
). and William who survive Funera
o services were held at his lat,
J. residence yesterday morning and in
a terment took place in the old famiI!
g burying lot at Bryn Zion Baptist Gem
etery, near Kenton, Elder Whitel,
Meredith, officiating.
; Naudaiu Bell, Brother of W. M. Bell Dead.
/. Mr.. Naudain Bell prominent citizel
n of Salem N. j. and only brother of Mr.
!. W. M. Bell of this town died las
v Thursday from q stroke of paralysi
q in the S0th year of his age. Th
r deceased was we'll known in Smyrna
y having at one time been associated il
q the tile business here with Mr.. AIval
n Allen. Most of his life, however. wa
! spent in Salem N. j. Last fall h
! visited Smyrna and spent several day
q with his brother. Funeral service
d and interment took place at his lat
. residence Monday. Mr.. W. M. Bell
, Miss Laura Bell and Miss Esthe
J. Megear attended the funeral.
3 Mrs. George O. Arnold OF Washington, Dead.
! Mrs. Anna M. Arnold, wife of MI
:. G.. G.. Arnold of Washington ID.
formerly a we'll known farmer of Ken
ton Hundred and now in the Unite
States Treasury Department passe
e away last Wednesday after lingering
illness, She was a daughter of th
! late Albert p. Masters of Troy, NY. an
= was educated in Mt. Holyoke Seminary
!, She was married to Mr.. Arnold in 1856
She inherited to a large degree th
: Christian virtues and strong mentalit.
I of her colonial ancestors and was use
! frl and highly esteemed woman.
9. husband and one daughter, Miss Agne
= survive her. Interment took place i