The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1907-06-26
STEPHEN WHITE HURST.
Death Of Former Resident Of Dorchester In
Iowa Town.

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Death OF Former Resident Of Dorchester In
Iowa Town.
From the Loon Reporter. of Leon, Iowa.
we take the following extracts in regard
to the late Stephen White Hurst, who
died at that place on the 18th instant:
Stephen White Hurst died at his home
in Leon, Iowa, June 10. 1907, aged 70
years, 10 months and II days. The sud-
den calling of Mr.. Hurst came as great
shock to his friends, for though mere than
three score and ten years of age, he was
of such vigorous nature that few real
lied how old he was, and, until within a
short time of his death, he had enjoyed
exceptionally good health. =
Mr.. Hurst was born on farm four miles
from Cambridge. and was a son of Rev.
Stephen Hurst, a Methodist minister.
Upon the death of his father, at the age
of ten years, he removed with his mother
and family to Cambridge, where his youth
was spent, receiving his education at the
Cambridge Academy.
When he was eighteen years of age he
secured q position as clerk in q store at
Baltimore, where he remained for two
years. In 1856 he went to Blakesburg.
Iewa, returning to Baltimore the following
fall. The next year he returned to
Blakesburg and engaged In the general
mercantile business with his cousin, Sam
uel j. Hurst. The partnership continued
until 1862 when they disposed of their
business at Blakesburg and went farther
west, the cousin locating at Corydon,
while Mr.. Hurst settled at Leon. The
latter opened general merchandising
store in little frame building where the
Leon postofice now stands.
He was q progressive and. successful
merchant and when the first brick store
building was erected in Leon in 1864, Mr..
Hurst leased it,for term of years and his
store at once became the big store of Deca-
tur county. In 1876 Mr.. Hurst erected q
brick business block now occupied by
Hurst Bros dry goods store, where he
continued in business until the close of
1888, when he retired, selling the store to
Hurst, Hawkins s. Conrey, his eldest son,
George E. Hurst, becoming the senior
member. Mr.. Hurst was too active a bus.
mess man, however, to remain idle and
in the spring Of 1886 he organized the Elk
change Bank, of Leon, being elected pres
ident Of the bank, a position which he
held until 1900, when he retired from &C.
tive business.
From the time he became citizen Of
Leon until his death forty five years later.
he was strong factor in the upbuilding
of the town and county, missing no op-
portunity for the advancement of both.
He was deep thinker, an inveterate read
er, and.a man thoroughly posted on the
affairs of the nation.
Politically, Mr.. Hurst was Democrat,
and no party ever had more loyal sup.
porter Of its candidates and policies. Mr..
Hurst preferred, however, to be worker
in the ranks, and never sought office for
himself. Though prominent figure at
Democratic state and national eonz MENTIONS
his advice being often sought by men high
in power, the only political office he ever
held was that Of postmaster at Rlakes-
burg, to which he was appointed by
President Buchanan.
In 1899 Mr.. Hurst was appointed by
Governor William Larrabee Commissioner
for the State of Iowa to attend the Paris
Exposition, at Paris, France, and spent
several months in Paris, visiting several
other countries, before returning to
America.
In 1850 Mr.. Hurst married Miss Frances
Arnold, of Monroe county. Iowa, who,
with five children, survives him. The
latter are George E. Hurst, of Mine La
Mott. Mo-; Charles E., James W., Margs-
ret L., and John F. Hurst, of Leon; Mr..
Hurst also leaves two sisters, Mrs. Har-
mon, and Miss Sarah A. Hurst, of Cam
bridge He was q brother of the late
John e. Hurst, of Baltimore. While not
an actual member Of the church, Mr..
Hurst was regular attendant at and con
tributor to the Methodist Church at Leon,
and intensely loyal to Method;sm. Mr..
Hunt was for many years member OF
the Masonic Lodge of Leon.
The funeral services were held from the