Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1915-09-23
Death Is Ever Busy.


at his home in this place last Friday at II
O'Clock, having attained the ripe old age
OF "a years and 10 days. His last illness
was OF three weeks duration. Up to that
time he had been in fairly good health,
and retained his faculties TO remarkable
degree for one so old, while his mind
was clear and active. MIR. VanMetre was
member Of one of the oldest families in
the State, the WANDERERS having been
among the original settlers OF this section,
locating here between 1870 and l740.
He was born on the old home place in
Berkeley county, near the Opequon creek,
his father having been Thomas VanMetre,
and his early life was spent in Berkeley.
Some thirty five or forty years ago he
came to Jefferson county, and after farm
ing his place several miles from town
along the Kearneysvile pike for number
OF years, he gave up active work about
fifteen years ago and moved to town.
Mr.. VanMetre was man OF many excel
lent traits OF character, and had decided
opinions OF his own on most subjects.
He was always interested in politics and
was Democrat from conviction. Honest
and upright, genial and kind-hearted, he
had wide circle of friends who regret
that he is no more. His funeral was held
Sunday afternoon at his home, and many
friends and relatives, from far and near,
gathered 10 pay their last tribute OF re-
spect. The service was conducted by
Rev. Joseph E. Guy, of Waynesboro,
Pa, assisted by Rev. AbSalom Knox, of
this place, and the body was inferred in
Elmwood Cemetery. Mr. VanMetre is
survived by his devoted wife, with whom
he had lived happily for almost 50 years,
and the following children: William H.,
OF Brunswick, Md. Philip c., of Berke-
ley county; George NJ, Charles c., Bow
man and Miss Rose VanMetre, OF this
place; also two brothers, Joseph B. Van
Metre, OF Shepherdstown, and Obed Van
Metre, OF Berkeley county, and three sis
tiers, Mrs. Rose Couchman, Mrs. James
VanMetre and Mrs. A. H. Myers, all OF
Berkeley county.
Mr.. Thos. w. Beale, one of Harper's
Ferry's most prominent residents, died
last Friday in Sibley Hospital, Washing
ton, where he had been for the past couple
OF months under treatment Tor cancer on
the lace, from which he had suffered
greatly. Mr.. BeaIe, who was IS years
of age, was in many respects a remark
able man. He lived most Of his life in
Harper's Ferry, and witnessed the many
stirring scenes in that section prior TO and
during the Civil War. He was strong IN
mind and body and had wonderfulmem-
DRY, which enabled him TO remember
clearly the exciting experiences through
which he passed. He was mayor Of the
town tor several terms, and was promi-
nent as an Odd Fellow. For many years
he was an active member OF the Metho-
dist Protestant Church. Surviving him
are daughter, Mrs. Ella MSkimmon,
and sister, Mrs. Mary Cochran. He
was buried on Monday last in Harper's
Ferry.
John T. Corbett, well-known farmer
of Washington county, Md, died very
suddenly last Sunday night at his home
near Williamsport from acute indigestion.
Mr.. Corbett formerly lived along the
Sharpsburg pike, half way between Shop
herdstown and SharpSburg but last year
sold his farm and moved 10 the Williams
port neighborhood. He was the picture
OF robust health, man OF stalwart frame
and unusual vigor, and his sudden death
was the source of much surprise. Last
Sunday morning he attended church in
Wiliamsport, and during the afternoon
he visited neighbors, apparently in the
best of health. In the evening he be-
came i'll, and growing rapidly worse,
two physicians were summoned. Nothing
could be done to relieve him, however,
and at II 30 that night he passed away.
The deceased, who was 81 years OF age,
is survived by his wife, son and daughter.
John H. Sisler, son OF Mr.. and Mrs.
Abram Sisler, of this place, died on Mon
day last in a hospital in Detroit, Mich, a
telegram to that effect having been sent
here by his wife. His death was caused
by typhoid fever, though he had been in
declining health for the past three or four
months. Mr.. Sister, who was 80 years
of age, was reared in this place, but had
not lived here for number OF years, not
having been home for eight years. He
was in the United States regular army for
a long time, and served in Alaska and also
two enlistments in the Philippine Islands.
He was young man of many excellent
traits OF character, and his friends here
will learn OF his death with regret. His
wife, his parents and several brothers and
sisters survive him. He was buried at
the home OF his wife in Michigan.
Mrs. Ann Amelia Hooff, widow OF
lanes Lawrence Ilooii died at her home
in Charles Town on Tuesday, after a
long period OF illness, aged 81 years.
Before her marriage she was a Miss Beck
ham, her father having been Fontaine
Reckh9m who was MAYOR OF Hlrper'S
Ferry at the time Of The John Brown raid
in 1859 and who was killed by Brown
and his men during that historic distur-
bance. Mrs. Hoofi is survived by five
sons and a daughter Geo. B., fontaine
and Washington H. Hooff, OF Charles
Town; James Lawrence Hooff. OF AL
toona, Pa; Allison A. Hooff and Mrs.
VIM. H. Brown, OF Manassas, Va.
William H. Baker, one OF Winchester'S
,,aoI,t,;ae1 h,,e;,occ ,,,ap ord n ,rot,1input