The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1917-01-23
Elton A. Smith.


Captain Elton A. Smith died at his
home in Smithville, Tuesday evening.
He was taken with severe cold just
prior to Christmas and complication
of diseases ensued which resulted
fatally.
Captain Smith was born in Wood
stock, Vermont, and was in the Goth
year of his age. He was the president
and principal stakeholder in the HI. B.
Smith Machine Company, founded
by his father, the late Hezekiah B.
Smith. Captain Smith had been liv-
ing at Savannah, Georgia, for some
time, being president and principal
owner in the Smith-Kelly Freight
Handling Company and the Savannah
Lighterage and Transfer Company,
which did an enormous business in
loading and unloading the steamers
that went to that port.
Without any capital but with the
energy that characterized his entire
life, Captain Smith went to the latter
city and began his life there as men,
Der of the crew on board one of the
boats that piled around the harbor. He
soon became captain Of the boat and
later was the owner. Then he rapidly
advanced until he became the head OF
one of the most prosperous industries
of that section.
The death Of his father caused con-
siderable litigation, which fually end
ed in favor of the children of the de-
ceased. This was about 1S years ago,
and Captain Smith at once took charge
of the works at Smithville and pushed
the business forward. From that date
he became one of Burlington countys
well known, energetic residents. He
took possession OF the mansion at
Smithville and removed his family
from Woodstock, in order that he
might be close to his business.
At Woodstock he had a fine farm
but he disposed of that, keeping the
family residence, which is still in the
possession of the family. He was great
ly interested in farming, and took
charge of the farms that were in the
Smith estate, improving them to a
great degree. One of his hobbies was
blooded cattle, and he probably had
the finest herd of cows in this vicinity.
He was director in the Burlington
County Fair Association and took
much interest in the affairs of that
institution. He was a member OF
Mount Holly Lodge of Elks.
He leaves a widow and five children,
Mrs. Theodore Hetzber, of New York,
whose husband is president of the Fifth
avenue bank in that city; Mrs. Leo st.
Clair Pie, of Harrisburg, Pa; the
Misses Elizabeth, Hilda and Lois, OF
Smithville; E. Allen Smith, connected
with the works, and Earl j., of the
Chicago branch of the business.
His funeral services were held at
Smithville Friday. Rev. J. H. Dun
ham was the minister in charge. He
had, while pastor of the Presbyterian
church here, become intimately ae-
quainted with Captain Smith, and
there was close friendship between
the two men. The choir of the Mount
Holly Baptist church rendered three
selections. The remains were inferred
in the Mount Holly cemetery. The
active pallbearerx were employees of the
Smithyille works. They were Harry
Hampton, Joseph Engle, Jr., s. p
Comegys, Owen Southgate, George E
Butler, William Zepperlein, Fred Gsel
and Joseph Willitts. The honorary
pallbearers were John L. Kuser, Viii
liam S. Kelley, George A. Lippincott
Thomas r. Finley, Edward B. Jones
John r. Howell, John B. Davis, Georg,
Cousins.