Smyrna times., 1915-11-10
DEATH OF WILLIAM N. BELL
Passed Away Peacefully at u. 80 o'clock
Last NightAfter Lingering Illness
in the 69th Year of His Age

~
Last NightAfter a Lingering Illness
in the 6eth Year of His Age
William NJ. Bell, Smyrna's Oldest
and one of its most prominent citizens
died at IL 30 o'clock last night, after
lingering illness aged 81 years and
2 months. Yesterday afternoon about
four O'Clock a decided change for the
worse took place and he sank grad
ually until death came near the
midnight hour. Deceased was the
youngest of nine children of the late
John and Mary (Starling) Bell and
was born at Little Creek Landing.
this county. on September 9, 1923,
after his fathers death His father,
II might be mentioned. was noted in
his day as a patriot Of the War of
1912. Deceased attended school at
the old Oetagonsl School House at
Cowgill's Corner. Afterward. he
attended school at Odessa. then known
as Cantwell's Bridge. where be and
the late Chief Justice Charles B. Lore
were schoolmates and boyhood
friends. He came to Smyrna. yet a
young man, TO clerk in the general
store of P. & E. Spruance. the senior
member of the firm being at that time
the senior United States Senator from
Delaware. Shortly after becoming
of age, he became cashier Of the
National Bank of Smyrna. In 1850
he married Miss Emily Hoff ecker,
daughter of the late Joseph and Rachel
(vanGssken) Hoffecker. He con-
tin1ed cashier of the Bank Of Smyrna
until January 1. 1885. when he re-
tired from the Bank. At the same
time he gave up active business as a
manufacturer Of drain tile.
Popular at Rehoboth as wellas Smyrna
He wss a cottage owner and a reg.
ular summer sojourner at Rehobott
and was well-known to the visitor,
Of that resort for the past thirty
years. He possessed a vast and &C
curate store of information about
natural history Animals. birds, fish
insects. rocks and soil, trees, plants
and flowers interested him and HI
became we'll acquainted with these
subjects. He was u pleasant, cordial
affable gentleman. an interesting con
versationaiist and impaired his infor
nation freely. He was a good bust
ness man and financier and havinl
in the first part Of his life accumulat
ed sufficient fortune to satisfy hi
desires. he spent his last thirty year
in leisure and in the enjoyment o
the society Of his friends. His low
of nature led him into the open wher
he was fond Of any kind Of sport
particularly hunting and fishing
He never held public Office excep
that Of president of the Smyrna Boar
Of Education. IL was while j
this position he superintended th
building Of the fine school building
, now in use. He was a democrat j
politics and at one time was solieite
= by the controlling element of h
7 party to become the candidate Il
: Governor OF the state. He decline
the proposition.
? Was Bright ard Cheerful to the e.
He had beer in feeble health f
more than a year but kept pOssessi'
of his mind and faculties and "
bright and CHEEKY to the end.
!, was at his death. the Oldest person
the community. He leaves a so
Roland of the U. S. Navy. NJ
e located at the navy yard in Philad'
b phia. and two daughters, Mrs. Lev
u Irving Handy and Miss laura A. b
re Of this town. His son Frank c. Be
|. in California left three children W
N also survive. He was q great uncle
$ George Massey Jones. ESQ.,. of DoV
st and William B. Megear, of W
3. mington. Funeral services will
sr held at his late residence on Mt. VI
in non street. at 2 p. m. Friday aft
" noon next. the 18th inst. and int
ne ment will take place in the family
Of in Glenwood Cemetery. Rev. C.
to Prettymsn. D d.. pastor Of Asbu
a NJ. E. Churcn will officiate. Fam
n. and friends are invited to attend
g, funeral.