El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1915-03-12
MRS. JOHN D. ST..
An INVALID, DIES
Lived in Obscurity, but Hus-
band Gave Her Credit
For His Wealth.

New York. March I2.-1I-s. John D.
Rockefeller died at 1920 o'clock today
at the Eockefener country home at
Pocantico Hills, just outside Of larry
town
While Mrs. Rockefeller has been an
invalid for many months. it is under
stood that her death came unexpect-
eddy Her husband, John D. Rookie
teller, and her son, John D. Rockefel-
Ter. IT., were at OrmOnd, Fla, and
We're advised early today that Mrs
Isockefeller had taken a. critical turn
for the worse
Mr.. Rockefeller and his son imme-
diately enSa ged q special train which
lett Jacksonville early today, it was
learned, and is due here. some time SIT
urday
When one considers that her hus-
hand Is probably, after the German
emperor. the best known man in the
world il must be agreed that Mrs
John d. Rockefeller led life of great
ohscuritr. She was known TO the rub
lie not at all and did not have a large
circle OF friends. In what is called
society" she never mixed.
Her Husbands Tribute.
But this was not due to lack Of
ability as seen in the statement Mr..
Rockefeller once made
Had il not been for my wife's bust
ness saEsClty and her clear insight
INTO affairs L would be a poor man.
Many times her advice has been
counter 10 my ideas. but her judgment
has Invariably proved the better"
II IS said that in the early DAYS Of
Mr- R0cSefeller's business career she
took such an interest in his affairs
that she kept books for him. She evil
IDENTIFY remained his confidential ad-
wiser For this reason, when the food
OF public condemnation of the Rookie
fellers came she was very much
affected Undoubtedly due in part to
this cause. she has been in failing
health for many years.
Was school Teacher.
Laura Celestia Spelman was born
Harry Buel Spelman, who emigrated
from Massachusetts to Akron, Ohio,
where he became a successful dry
goods merchant He was a member OF
the Ohio legislature and removed 10
Cleveland when Laura was a child
She became acquainted with Mr..
Rockefeller in the Cleveland grammar
schools She was then sent east 70
the Dread institute. Worcester. Mass,
10 complete her education. and re-
turned to Cleveland in 1883 TO teach
school On September S, 1864. the
school teacher and Mr. Rockefeller.
each about 25 years old. were married
Mr. Rockefeller had already accumu-
lated a respectable fortune, first BY
furnishing food supplies TO the Union
army and then through his first oil
concern Of Andrews, Clark and COM
pany- in which he was a partner
Worked For Temperance
Mrs RocEefeller's mother vas an
active worker in the WOmen's Chris
risn TEMPERANCE union and the dauEh-
tier followed in her footsteps She
had done 2 great unsunE work for
temperance for the poor and the ILL.,
She took a deep interest IN the well
fare Of negro girls in the south. Her
father had established the Spelman
seminary. at Atlanta, Ga. for negro
young women. she reared four chill !
dren and another died in infancy The l
living children are John n jr-. who :
married Miss Abbey G. Aldrich; Bessie, /
Alta and Edith. The Oldest daughter. /
Mrs Charles Strong. died in 1905, the !
second is Mrs. Psrmelee Prentice, and [
the third Mrs Harold F. Mccormick. I
Entertained Simply.
Despite her husbands great wealth !
Mrs. ROckefeler was an American >
hostess Of the old New England type
She received her few guests simply. I
making them feel at ease at once She J
had a knacl Of talking on those sub
5ects close 10 the hearts of those she 4
met