Evening journal., 1907-11-25
DR.. ]. A. DRAPER
DIES SUDDENLY
Stricken on His Return From
a Professional Visit
Yesterday
PROMINENT MEN
AS PAIL BEARERS

Ut. James Avery Draper, one OF the
best known and most highly respected
Of Wilmington's citizens. died suddenly
Of acute dilation of the heart at his
home. Eleventh and Market streets,
shortly before eleven o'clock yesterday
morning after returning home from
professional visits.
Dr. Draper, who was seventy-two
years Of age, and one of the most
prominent physicians in the city, al
ways took an active interest in its
civic welfare. He was instrumental
in the formation of the Street and
Sewer Department. and when a MEM
Der of the Board of Health conceived
the idea Of the big sewer which inter-
sects the city at present
For nearly a uarter Of a century he
was sureon for the Pennsylvania Rail-
road in this city, and founded the
emerency hospital at the French street
station. He was one Of the incor-
porators of the Delaware Hospital and
was a member of the board of trustees
of the institution. and also one of the
chiefs Of the surical staff since the
hospital was founded.
The funeral of DR.. Draper will take
place on Wednesday morning at 1870
o'clock from his late home. 1t is a
wish of the family that flowers be
omitted. Interment viii be private.
and the pallhearers will be Judge
George Gray, Judge Ignatius c. Grubb,
General James II. Wilson, Francis N.
Buck. E. f. Brooks, Thomas F. Bay
ard, Willard Salisbury, Otho Nowland,
DR.. Willard Springer. Dr. W. r. Bull
lock, DR.. John Palmer. Jr.
Was Born in Delaware.
DR.. Draper was born in Camden.
! Delaware. October 25, 1885. He was
the son of Averv Draper and Elizabeth
/ Green, being the fourth Avery Draper
Of his line and a descendant of Cap
tain John Avery and of Alexander
/ Draper, who was member of the first
Legislature called by Penn at Upland
/ i'm 1852. He spent his ealy life upon
his fathers farm. attending school IN
Camden.
Later he entered the medical school
of the University Of PENNSYLVANIA
from which he graduated with higi
honors in 1860. In 1868 he served as q
surgeon in the military hospital al
] Chester, Pennsylvania, where he con-
tinued until the hospital was aband-
oned.
After practicing a year in Delaware
City, Dr. Draper settled in Wilmington
where he practiced his profession unul
his death.
During his medical career he had
been president of the State Medical So
ciety and president Of the Board OF
Health. He was one of the incor-
porators of the Delaware Hospital and
had been a member Of the board OF
trustees and Of the surgical stan since
its foundation. He was surgeon 70,
the Pennsylvania Railroad for man,
years. He was of the two Oldest mem.
bers of the Historical Society of Del.
aware and a member of the Society OF
the Sons Of the ColonialWars and on,
Of the early members of the Whining.
ton Club
He is survived by his wife, by two
sons, DR.. James Avery Draper, Jr.. and
Trusten Polk Draper, and by thre,
daughters, the Misses Cornelia, Eliza
beth and Madeline Draper
Judge Gray Tribute
Judge George Gray. almost a lifelonf
friend of Dr Draper. in discussing tn,
life and character Of the deceased phv.
sician, said:
'Dr. Draper was a man Of strong per.
lsonality and impressed himself as such
upon all with whom he came in con.
tact. He was eminent in his profession
; and it is perhaps safe to say that M
was the most experienced surgeon IL
the city or State.
conscientious in the practice Of his
profession he devoted his life to it. and
literally died in harness. But he VII
l. be remembered not merely in the pro.
Ifessional aspects Of his life.
He took a strong virile interest IT
IAN the great political issues of his da,
and had opinions upon them whicl
were never doubted and which We're in.
teIigenty and fearlessly expressed. II
politics he was a Democrat Of the oil,
+ school and a believer in its traditiona
principles and policies, but with par
'tisan politics he had little concern, ant
never sought political office or prefer
ment.
His high character and abilities
united with an imposing physical pres
+ .ence, has made him for a generation
commanding figure in the communit,
and his loss win long be sorely felt"