Smyrna times., 1917-05-16
DR. j. HARVEY sPRuANcE DEAD
Native SmYrnian and Prominent Physi-
c'an and Politician of Wilmington
Dies After a Short illness


olo' died at his late residence, 721
Adams street, Wilmington, about 8. 30 |
O'Clock yesterday afternoon of pneu-
monla, which he contracted while on a |
VISIT week ago. In his death Will |
mlngton loses one of its most widely |
known and best liked physicians, as
we'll as a citizen who was alwavs
keenly interested in whatever per-
tained to the welfare of Wilmington.
When DR.. Spruance became i'll he did
not at first realize the seriousness of
his condition, but later when the dis
ease was followed by complications.
Professor Fussell of the University of
pennsylvania was called. During his
last illness the deceased was also at
tended by DR.. James A. Draper and
DIR. Earl Bell, his assistant. From
the time the serious nature of his ILL
ness was discovered until his death
there was a continued decline and
each day found him a little nearer
death. Word of his illness caused his
many friends in Wilmington and
Smyrna anxiety, but when the news
of his death became generally known,
expressions of concern and sorrow
were common.
DR.. Spruance Was Born in Smyrna
DR.. Spruance was born in Smyrna,
October 81, 1866, the son of
the late William E. Spruanca and
Mrs. Martha Voshell Spruance now
of Philadelphia. He studied in the
schools of Smyrna, later going to the
Philadelphia School If Pharmacy.
Following his graduation from this
institution in 1891 he opened a drug
store at Second and Monroe streets,
Wilmington, which place of business
he always maintained. In 1899 he
graduated from the Jefferson Medical
College, beginning Immediately after
receiving his diploma to practice in
Wilmington. This was the COM
mencement of what is said to have
been one of the largest practices en-
jOyed by any physician in the state.
This he had won by his unfailing
kindness, his generosity and admirable
quality of painstaking care with every
case. At all times DR.. Spruance was
interested in the welfare of Whining
ton and was ever actively engaged ir
any enterprise or project which had
: to 90 with the civic betterment.
Was a Member of Legislature in 1895
He was coroner's physician for some
time, treasurer of the Board of Health
e under Mayor Jeffers, from 1891 t.
D 1898; member of the Legislature dur
n ing the 1893 session of that body;
j member of the Board of Education
d from the Third ward about twelv'
o wears ago while he resided at Secont
d and Monroe streets; for twelve year
= a member of the Delaware Stat
!, Board of Pharmacy, and finally mayo
It of Wilmington from 1909 to 1911
e EIe was a candidate for re-electio
II in 1911, but WIS defeated by DR.
r Harrison w. Howell. During nj
v term as mayor he gave the impetus t
i the water front development projeC
which so recently found its fruitio
IN in the appointment of harbor com
? mission. He was at all times a be
=, liever in a maritime and commercis
- Wilmington and ever an advocate c
y harbor and port development. ID
n was also the father of the idea OF e'
tsblishing a municipal hospital
!. Wilmington, and although he devote
:. rnuch of his time and labor to tn
y nraiseworthy cause. he did not SUI
coed. He was a member of EureE
of Lodge of Masons. a member OF one
- the Masonic Chapters. of Washingtt
Lodge. K. of P, Lenape Tribe, {
Ia R. M. and of several other fratern
organizations.
,s Married Twice, Leaves Two Childr'
il. Deceased was twice married. ID
q. | frat wife WAS MISE GAiAJ
lv died in 1893. His second wife W
- Miss Emma Aydon of Wilmington
nd who survives him with two childre
C. Marion Aydon Spruance, 16 years
=. ooe a student atSwarthmore Colleg
"a and ]. Harvey Spruance, Jr.,
al vasra old. Two brothers, William a
be Gilbert Spruance, and sister. MI
or Annie Jones, live in Philadelphl
in Ar~ther brother, Harry D. Spruanc
lin resides In New York city. Funei
a services will be held from his ia
1i- residence, 721 Adams street. on d
no urtay afternoon at o'clock.
e. Herbert F. Randolph of Grace M.
AZ. Church. of which DR.. Spruance wa'
no member, will officiate. lnterme
will take place in the Wilmington q
Brandywine cemetery.