The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-01-10
Henry Schmelz left with the remains
this morning for Hampton.
Banker and PhlIanthropl.t.
Special to The Times

lSpeClal TO inc Times DtSpatch.1
Hampton. Va. January 9.-Georgs
Arson schmclz. head of schmelz
Brothers banking house in Newpor,
News, leading spirit in the Bank Of
Hampton, vice-prcsident of the New
port News and Old Point Railway and
Electric Company. one of the best
known financial men In the South. and
the Virginia peninsulas most loYable
and prominent citizen died In johns
Hopkins Hospital this morning Mr..
Schmelz was suddenly attacked with
Kidney trouble two weeks ago, when
nc was hurriedly taken to the Balti-
more hospital. In the hope that an OPP
Grafton would prolong his life. He
was too weak TO undergo the opera
ton. and although the highest special
lists in this country cndeavored to stay
the ravages of the disease. complica-
tions came about. which ended his long
and honorable life.
Tho remains. accompanied by the
surviving brother. Henry Lane
Schmelz. reached the city at o'clock
tonight, and the body was Immediate
Queen Street. where 1t Will rest until
the hour of the funeral services on
Tuesday.
Mr.. Schmelz was born in Hampton
hfty-seven years ago, and had spent
his entire life here. He attended lie
public schools and later graduated from
Richmond College. an institution in
which he always took the keenest N
terest. Coming from school, .,ir
Schmelz. with his brother. Henry Lane
Schmelz. organized the private bank
ing house of Schmelz Brothers. and in
1902 Schmelz Brothers purchased the
controlling interest in the Bank OF
Hampton, and then combined with that
institution their private bank In 1890
~, -. IL
Schmelz Brothers banking house in
Newport News. and George Schmels
became the directing head of that
branch of their extensive business. He
built up the bank until to-day the
SchmelZ Brothers banking house in
Newport News is said to be the largest
private banking institution in the
South. Mr.. schmelz was also Largely
interested in banks in Norfolk, SUI
folk and other places. holding stock in
them, and serving as director wnn
several OF the institutions. He was a
director and vice-president of the New
port Jews and Old Point Railway and
Electric Company; president of the
Hampton. Phoebus and Fort Monroe
Gas Corporation: director In the Home
Fire Insurance Corporation. the Bank
of Hampton and other large financial
institutions. He was a director OF the
Bank of Commerce and Trusts. Rich
mond, and of the Bank of Richmond.
Mr. Schmelz was a man OF great
sympat hies, and did a vast amount OF
philanthropic work. He was a Baptist
In his religion, being prominent in the
Southern Baptist and the Virginia
Baptist Associations. He built the
Memorial Baptist Church here seven
years ago. and then organized the
Memorial Baptist Church Mems Bible
class. which Is said to-day to be the
largest class of Its kind In tho South
ern Baptist Association. He was the
leader of the class. and during the past
seven years had missed but two sun
days being present TO direct the big
class. lie loved Richmond College and
the Virginia Baptist Orphanage at
Salem, and both of the institutions had
been literally remembered by him at
times. He was a leader of men in
church and financial circles. and his
death comes as a severe blow to this
section.
Although a man OF vast financial in
terests. Mr. Schmelz found much time
to look after the sick and poor. He
has probably visited more sick homes
I'm this section than any other dozen
men, always being the first to go to
sick man or woman. whether rich or
poor.
About a year ago. Mrs. Schmelz. who
had been his constant inspiration and
adviser, died, and since that time tina
banker had been gradually declining
In health. He is survived by fve
daughters-Mrs Frank II. Lake. Miss
Hiida Schmelz. Miss Elsie Schmelz. Mis-,
Nancy Belle Schmelz, OF Hampton and
Mrs. Harry G. Elan, of Northfolk. w.
ga, His brother Henry Lane Schmelz.
and two sisters, Mrs. Howard S. Col.
iier. and Mrs. Robert S. Hudgins. Sr..
also survive him.
The family has to- day been showered
with kilograms of sympathy from all
sections of the country. and 1t is eS-
pected that many OF the prominent A.
uancial and church men In the South
will be here to attend the funeral SER
vices.
The funeral of Mr.. Schmelz Will take
place from the Memorial Baptist
Church Tuesday afternoon at o'clock,
and will be in charge of the Rev. w.
Mosby Seay. The Richmond pall-bear-
ers will be c. E. Potts. John NJ Miller,
Jr., Judge S. q. Witt w. S. Upshur, w,
j. Payne. Samuel REGISTER, Dr. F. w.
Boatwrisht and l.. f. Sullivan.
The lodges of Elks and woodmen of
the World Of Newport News will attend
In a body, Tho hodr will he fnterrad In