Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-03-13
MRS. JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER
DIES At POCANT|CO HILLS
End Comes Unexpectedly, While Illus.
band and Son Are ut Flor
ida Resort.
AN INVALID FOR MANY MONTHS
Always Constant Companion and Adj
wiser OF OIL King, She Lived Life
OF Obscurity, and Never Mixed in
Society.

NEW YORK. March l2.-Mrs. John D.
Rockefeller died mt 1920 O'Clock this
forenoon at the Rockefeller country
home at Pocantico Hills. just outsid"
OF Tarrytown. She had been III for
some time.
While Mrs. Rockefeller has been an
invalid for many months. her death
came unexpectedly.
Her husband and her son were at
Ormond. Fla, and were advised carly
to-day that her condition had taken a
critical turn for tho worse. Mr. Rookie
feller and his son immediately -ngaged
special train, which left Jacksonville
this morning, and is due here some time
Tomorrow.
Mrs. Parmelec Prent.ss. Mrs. Rookie
fcllers daughter. and Mrs. Rockefe!lcrs
sister. Miss Lucy Spelman. also were
with her when she died.
News OF the death reached tho en-
ployees at the Rockefeller estate at
Tarrytown after II had been announced
IN this city Mrs. Rockefeller appar-
emily had been recovering recently. and
on one day this week had been carried
10 her conservatories to see the flowers
She appeared better and was in good
spirits yesterday.
MRS. ROCKEFELLER LIVED
LIFE OF OBSCJRITY
When ono considers that her husband
IL probably. after tho German En-
pcror. the best known man in the
world, 1t must be agreed that Mrs. John
H. Rockefeller led n life OF great oh
security. She was known 70 the public
not at all. and did not have large
circle OF friends. In what is called
society" she never mixed. But this
WAS not due to lack OF ability. az seen
IN tho statement Mr.. Rockefeller once
made:
Had 1t not been for my wi,e's busl-
ness saEacity and her clear insight Into
affairs, / would be poor man. MANI
times her advice has been counter TO
my ideas. but her Judgment has In
variably proved the better"
1t Is said that in the carly days Of
Mr.. Rockcteller's business career she
took such an interest in his affairs that
she kept books for him. She evidently
remained his confidential adviser. For
this reason, when the food OF public
condemnation of the Rockefelcrs came
sho was very much affected rndoubt-
eddy. due. In part. 10 this causc she
had been In failing health for many
years.
Laura Celestial Spelman was born
'N'pteUHDST ls1f. ieE Iafner was
Harry Buel Spelman, who cmigrated
| from Massachusetts 10 Akron, o. where
he became a successful dry goods MGR
chant. lie was member Of the Ohio
1 Legislature. and removed 70 Cleveland
when Laura was n child.
She became acquainted with Nj
Rockefeller in the Cleveland grammar
schools. She was then sent East to
the Dread Institute. Worcester, Mass
TO com plctc her education. ard returned
70 Cleveland IN 1852 TO teach school
On September s. 1864, the school
teacher and M-. Rockefeller. both about
twenty-five years old. were married
Mr. Rockefeller had already accnmu-
lated respectable fortune, FIRST by
furnishing supplies TO the Union army
and then through his nrst oil concern
OF Andrews. Clark & Co. In which he
was a partner.
: DAUGHTER FOLLOWS
IN MOTHERS FOOTSTEPS
Mrs. Rockcfcllcrs mother was an
active worker In the Women's Chris
tian Temperance Union and the daugh-
ter followed In her footsteps She had
done n great unsung work for temper
lance for the poor and the i'll She
took deep interest IN the welfare Of
negro girls In tho South. Her father
had established the Spelman Seminary
ut Atlanta, Ga. for negro young
women.
She reared four children, and another
lied in infancy Tho living children
- IRE: John D.. Jr, who married Miss
Abbey q. Aldrich: Bessie. Alta and
edith. The oldest daughter Mrs. Charles
strong. died In 1906 the second is Mrs
'armelee Prentiss. and the third Mrs
Iarold F. Mccormick
Despite her husbands great wealth
IRIS. Rockefeller was an American
ostess Of the old New England type
he received her few guests simply,
laking them feel ut ease at once She
ad knack OF talking on those sub
cts close to the hearts OF those she
= net.
1t is said Mrs. Rockefeller went fifty
ears without having a picture taken
appearance she was quite short and
lump; at any rate. in later life
Before her marriage she belonged
the Plymouth Congregational
hurch but. in order to be OF the same
nomination as her husband. she
|ined the Euclid Avenue Baptist
1rurc CHI, Cleveland
LILLIAN ROCKEFELLER NOT
PERMITTED TO MAKE TRIP
~ '''NS->'' w i'-i>' ''Ef., haICn L. w IL
nm Rockefeller. who Is Mt his winter
pine on Jekyl Island. Will not be per-
itted by his physicians to attend the
neral OF Mrs John y. Rockefeller
separations were under way for him
leave Brunswick on special train,
hen his physician advised that 1t was
psafe for him to make the trip. "Mr
Pckereller is suffering from very
avy cold" said Mr.. ,Rockefeller's
crctary.
Ia RnuREhR al RrEEEHHr=