Smyrna times., 1911-05-17
DEATH RECORD OF THE WEEK
Benton v. Weldon Dies Suddenly Mon
day While on Visit to His Children
in Brooklyn N. Y.-Other Deaths

benton V. weldon, aged 70, a form |
er constable and tax collector of this |
district, and one of Smyrna's best
known citizens has passed suddenly |
away at the home of his children in
Brooklyn where he had gone for a
visit. The dissolution took place at
! noon Monday, shortly after he had
gone to his room for his afternoon
nap. He had been very cheerful all
morning, assisting his daughter, Miss
Emma Weldon, who keeps house at
218 Carlton Avenue, Brooklyn. AS
was his custom every afternoon, he
went to his room and while reclining
on the couch, hardly without a warn
ing to his devoted wife who was at
his side, he "fell to sleep" the
eternal sleep that knows no awaken
ing. The shock to his wife and to
his children was severe. Medical as
sistance was summoned, but to no
avail. He had died without
struggle. The death of Benton V.
Weldon removes one of the old land
marks of Smyrna. He was born
and raised in the vicinity of Black
bird. His parents dying when he
was young, left him largely upon
his own resources and at an early
age, he apprenticed himself to a
shoemaker in Smyrna. Later he
gave up his trade and entered the
merchantile business. For several
years he was a constable and tax
collector for this Hundred and made
one of the best officials the district
ever had. In connection with this
he was an auctioneer and in his day
was regarded as the best to be found
in this part of the State. He con-
tinued crying sales until his health
prevented. Last year he discon'
tinued business at the old j. Henry
jefferson stand. The death of hi!
son, Benton N. Weldon, Smyrna'i
prominent druggist, eleven weeks
ago, was sorrow from which hi
never recovered. A week later HI
] and his wife left to make an ex
t tended visit to their children il
3 Brooklyn, and were planning to COM
y home soon to open their home TO
the summer. Deceased was a prom
inent member and past master o
o Harmony Lodge No. 13 A. F. and A
r M, a member of Morning Sta
q Lodge No. 6 l. o. o. F. and Hep
a tasoph. He was also a member o
n Asbury M. E. Church. Mr.. Weldo
o was married twice. His first wifi
n was Miss Kate Woodall, of nea
l. Blackbird. Two children surviv
q this union, John Weldon and Mis-
s. Emma Weldon of New York. Som
s. years after the death of his frs
10 wife, he married the widow Gaffoi
l. (nee Miss Julia Harper Newman) {
lie Church Hill, Md, who survive
as with three children as follows: M
ne Willard Weldon of the Brookly
,e "Times, Mr.. Lindon Weldon al
en- Miss Julia Weldon, all of Brooklyl
Owing to the critical illness of Mr.
Weldon, for whom there has bee
rk little hope of recovery, no arrang
- ments for the funeral of Mr.. Weld'
!. have been made. Undertaken Harv'
=. W. FAIRIES has been summoned
~ Brooklyn to take charge of the bot
!. and will bring it to Smyrna as so'
- as arrangements can be made.
I'D Frank Spruance Dies in London
!, Frank Spruance, aged SO years,
- former Smyrna boy, son of the la
- David and Harriet Spruance OF ne
80 Kenton, and brother of Mrs. 10
- W. Hutchinson, of this town a
- John B. Sprusnce of Philadelphia
10 died suddenly of appoplexy Saturd
49, morning at the Hotel Cecil, ho
~ ~. don. He had been in i'll health
~ some time and had gone abroad
hopes of being benefited by t
ct ocean voyage. His remains will
brought back on the first steam
G. nossible and funeral will take pls
g from his late residence 1853 N. Pa
err Avenue, Philadelphia. lie is surV
the ed by his wife and three childr'
It's. Palm Spruance, married, OF q
for mantown; Russell Spruance, U.
ec- p. student and Miss Laura A. Sp
the ance. an invalid daughter, who
re- sides at home. Deceased was b.
age and lived in this vicinity until
lid was about 18 years of age, when
tee went to Philadelphia where ne
Mr.. lived ever since and prospered
the business. For many years ne
nth manager for j. H. Michener q I
fter provision merchants, 956 NO
er- Front Street, Philadelphia.
' Oliver A. Armstrong Passes Ava
oliver A. Armstrong who
les been employed at L. Z. hlrc
grocery store on "the hill
{ of wondav morning after short lllr