Smyrna times., 1912-02-07
DEATH RECORD OF THE WEEK
j. Henry jefferson. Once Prominent
Merchant of Smyrna, Passes
Away-Mortimer Records

j. Henry JeHerSOn, aged gu, at one
time a prominent merchant of Smyr-
ma, died in Wilmington at 5. 80 Mon
day afternoon after a lingering ILL
ness. Deceased who had been in
failing health for two or more
years, had gone to Wilmington to
be near his son, Townsend jefferson,
who has cared tor him in his declin-
ing years. The immediate cause of
his death was paralysis of the
throat, although in the past two
years he had been stricken with two
decided paralytic strokes and render.
e1 almost helpless. He died at the
boarding house of Mrs. Edward Cur
ry ar 9l2 Jefferson street, Whining
ton. The remains were brought to
Smyrna and the funeral will take
place privately tomorrow Thursday
afternoon at O'Clock with inter-
ment in the family lot in Glenwood
cemetery. Rev. Robert Watt, D.
D., will officiate. The death of ].
Henry Jefferson removes a citizen
who in his day was prominent in the
affairs of Smyrna. Born and raised
in this vicinity, son of the late
Rev. Ephraim and Rebecca (Frances)
Jefferson he early entered the
mercantile business, first clerking for
William E. Elliason and then engag-
ing in business for himself. In 1853 he
cfnrfod q ht1cfpan1 N ha kv1s1lsv,r.
the Boehmler stand and later pur-
chased the building adjoining, now
Webb's Flour and Feed Store, where
he continued until 1894 when he was
forced to retire on account of ill
health. Deceased was a life long
member of Asbury Church. He
was a Democrat but never sought
or held Office. On November z, 1858,
Mr.. Jefferson was united in marriage
to Miss Rachel West, of Frederick.
This happy union was broken June
5. 1908, by the death of Mrs. Jeffer-
son. Of five children born to them,
Ony two survive: Harry W. Jeffer-
son, of Memphis, Tenn, and w.
Townsend Jefferson, of Wilmington.
Miss Beulah Jefferson, of this town,
and Rev. Paul B. Jefferson of
Martin, Tenn, died in recent years,
and Gilbert, twin brother to Paul,
died in infancy. Mr.. Jefferson is
also survived by one sister, Mrs.
Harriet w. Carrow, now in her
93d year. Mrs. John H. Bewley
another sister and Frank Jefferson,
brother, died some years ago.
Mrs. Mary Luff. Formerly of Clayton
Mrs. Mary Luff, widow of John
Luff, at one time q resident near
Clayton, died on Thursday, January
25th, and was inferred in the ceme-
terry near Hollandsville. Mrs. Luff
was about SO years old, and was ac-
tive until a short time before her
death. She made her home with
her daughter, Sallie Luff, widow of
George Luff, son of the deceased.
She spent much of her time with
John E. Luff, one of her grandsons
at Greensboro, Md, and visited
other grandchildren in good weather
when it suited her. She was always
pleasant but quiet, never speaking
i'll of anyone. Her husband, John
Luff, died in the spring of1S72. He
was a miller and he at one time ran
what is known as Mud Mills, on the
Choptank in Caroline county, Nd,
and about so or 55 years ago operat-
ed saw mill and grist mill known
as Casperson's Mills, near Clayton,
between Clayton and Greenspring,
on the Delaware Railroad. John
Luff was a brother of James Luff,
Ann W. Luff and Elizabeth Luff.
Ann w. Luff married James M.
Downs, who lived and died near
Downs Chapel. She was the mother
of W. L., Angie w., Edwin B.,
Enoch S. and Francis W. Downs.
Elizabeth Luff married Joseph c..
Downs. They have two children
living, James M. Downs, of Mt.
/ Pleasant, and Charles T. Downs, of
near Kenton.
Mortimer Records Dies at Blackbird
Mortimer Records, aged %, a
prominent citizen of Blackbird
Hundred, who for a number of years
has been lumber dealer and can.
ner, near Blackbird Mills, died
Sunday from a heart attack. He
had been in failing health for a year
or more and for several weeks had
been confined to his bed. Deceased
was one of the substantial men OF
his community, close reader anc
student of current events and a mar
of high ideals. He was born near
his late residence in 1889 and fol
: several years was senior member OF
the firm of M. Records & Co.,
r o1I ckoxv.