Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-09-25
JOHN B. PURCELL.
DIES IN LEXINGTON
President of First National Bank
Of Richmond Passes
Away.
FUNERAL HERE ON TUESDAY
Had Been in Bad Health for
Some Months, but Death
Was Unexpected.

Colonel John q. Purcell. president Of
Hdly about "a o'clock Yesterday morn
ing at l."Siugtuu. whcrc he went
feNcral n"uths $50 with the nope of
|reraninr his nculth While he had
|!!tion was not regarded AZ critical lie
bad planned to return To Richmond
|with his family on October !. and the
announcement OF his sudden de- In came
Us a great shock to his relatives and
|"as received with genuine sorrow Ly
fiis friends in Richmond and through
put tho state.
'rhe body viii be brought to Rich
nond and the funeral will probabl,
fakc place tomorrow. AT an hour 10
foc announccd later.
Colonel Purcell vas the son OF tho
ate John Purcell and Mrs Martha
Webb Purcell. daughter Of the late
| 'oinnodore Webb Of Norfolk. and of
Pic old United states Navy. His father
3"aS well known as the senior member
Sf the old house OF Purcell, Ladd &.
company. 10 which his son succeeded as
hc head upon the formers death. in
| sei y" mercantile establishment In
iRi"hinond ever occupied higher post
ion than did this one. under both ia
I'her and son.
SUCCEEDED NIItGINIUS NEWTON
tS HEAD or FIRST NATIONAL
Colonel Purcell WAS elected pres idcut
pr the First National Bank. one OF tho
argcst Institutions OF its kind IN the
3sonth. n, 1901. following the death nf
Virg inius Newton. He administered tho
I,nairH Of tho bank with singular ndcl-
! ~ and abilits.
Ills health began 10 fail more than
year ago, and carly last summer he
vent 10 Le&tng'on hoping TO be bcne-
itcd hy the change.
is distinguished graduate of tho
Virginia Military Institute. Colonel
.Furccil was proud Of his alma mater
II. entered the Confederate states
irmy while only a boy. being in his
Fourteenth year He participated in
several engagements around Rich
Between the states He was always
IN ardent opd devoted Confederate
i lrd took keen interest In the af.
airs of II T.. Lee Camp. No. /, United
Confederate Veterans. of which he was
l. member
tppn thr reorganization OF the mil
;aiy forces after tho war. he was
imadc colonel oi the First Virginia
I aNuluut. crS. In which h" served with
iistinc;i",. untn he resigned
n:,UED cII>NHER OF COMMERCE.
NAD HItIIM0ND CLEARING-uOUSE
White niwaNs declining public Office
! Colonel rurcoil was one of the most
Richmond and his death has removed
a figure Who's absence will be dis
tinccly felt in the business world He
uas an active member OF the Chamber
- Of Commerce. and at one time served
a. It's president. as we'll as having
Been prcsidcn, Of the Richmond Clear
rE House Association.
Colonel Purcell married Miss Char
otto Olympia Williamson. a daughter
VI tho iate Colonel Thomas William
,ou. ono OF the professors OF tho Nir-
Ejria Military Institute. by whom he
is :rIrvivcd II" had tho following
. -hi!drcn: Thomas w Purcell. Of tho
= aold Dominion Trus; Company: Misses
Matte and Anna Purcell and Mrs
Allan, wifc OF I>r. Allan. OF Charlotte
y =. He also leaves one brother.
BENJAMIN l.. Purcell, state Dairy and
rood Commissioner. and one sister.
Mrs. Thomas II. Lcary, at present in
,alifornia.
Colonel Purcell was in his seventy
siGhth ycat. and until about twelve
months ago appeared To he enjoying
-obust health Ills rapid decline began
bout six months ago. and while his
condition recently was not regarded
,s encouraging, few of his friends and
rclativcs were prepared to hear of his
lcath.
As soon rs news Of his death was
-cccivcd here by wire his son left for
Lexington to accompany the body and
family TO this city