Smyrna times., 1922-02-01
DEATH RECORD OF THE WEEK
Captain Eben E. Truax, Dies Suddenly
While on a Visit to His Son, John
L. Truax in Philadelphia-O


L. Truax in Philadelphia-Others
Captain Eben E. Truax, aged 80,
one of Smyrna's best known and high
ly esteemed citizens, who for sixty
four years was a pilot and skipper
along the Atlantic Coast and Della
ware River and Bay, died almost sud-
denly at 1.45 Thursday morning at the
home of his son, John L. Truax, 6O45
Christian street, Philadelphia. Captain
TruaX, who made his home most of |
the time with his son, Norris Truax,
of this town, left four weeks ago 70
make an extended visit to his son,
John and his daughter, Eva, (Mrs. Ell
mer Hoffecker) in Philadelphia. De-
spite the fact that he had never been |
i'll day in his life, for ten days pre-
vious to his death his heart was not
acting properly and he seemed much
depressed at times but his condition
OccasiOned no serious alarm. The at
tack which resulted in his death came
almost suddenly. The sad intelligence
was received in Smyrna with sorrow,
especially among his old friends. Cap
tain TruaX was a son of the late
Abraham and Sara (Manlove) Truax
and was born and raised at Leipsic.
He began following the sea at the
early age of 16, trading from Phila-
delphit to Atlantic Coats Ports. Later
he was captain of boats on the Leip7
sic Philadelphia line; Salem -Philadel-
phia line; Odessa-Philadelphia line and
the Smyrna-Philadelphia line. Besides
this he ran pleasure boats from Wash
ingtOn Park, N. j., to Philadelphia and
later was in command of boats from
the Delaware river thru the canal to
Baltimore. He was one of the oldest
/ captains on the Delaware River and in
point of service was active over a
period of 81 years. 1t was not until
two years ago he retired from the life
on the water, having captained the
steamer L. NJ. Price until it was sold
to Baltimore parties. In his sea-far-
ing life he made many friends and as
an adviser to young men possessed of
the idea of taking up seafaring life,
his influence was helpful. Captain
TruaX was married in March 1863 70
Miss Anna Barcus, daughter of John
Barcus, of Leipsic. She died nearly
thirty years ago. Three children sur
vive as follows: Norris Truax, a prom
inent meat merchant of Smyrna; Mrs.
Elmer Hoffecker and Mr.. John L.
Truax, of Philadelphia; the latter a
successful insurance man. He is also
survived by two brothers: Morgan
Truax, of Akron, Ohio, and George
Truax, of Chester, Pa, and one sister:
Mrs. Elizabeth Quinn, of Philadelphia
Funeral services were held at the resi-.
dence of John L. Truax at 6O45 Chris
tian street, Friday evening. The re-
mains were brought to Smyrna Satur.
day on the noon train and in the driv.
! ing snow storm and blizzard, was in.
TERED in the family plot in Odd Eel.
lows cemetery. The Rev. Ransom P
Nichols, of Asbury NJ. E. Church, the
church of which the deceased was {
long and consistent member, haC
Z charge.
Mrs. Timothy Slaughter Dead
a Mrs. Annie Collins Slaughter, agec
e 81 years, widow of Timothy Slaugh
e ter, well known farmer near Smyr
/. ma, died Sunday at the home of son
: in-law, Willard Shorts, on State roa,
South of Smyrna after an illness o
about a week. Mrs. Slaughter wa
i one of those estimable women VIII
y gave her life to her home. She spen
) her whole life in this vicinity and il
e early life married Timothy Slaughter
|. who died about three years ago. Fou
It children survive her as follows: Mr.:
: Willard Shorts, Mrs. Charles Davi
e and Mr.. Edward Slaughter, all of thi
e vicinity, and Miss Ida Slaughter, VIII
: resides at home. Funeral took plac
n this afternoon with interment at Cd
d Fellows cemetery, the Rev. R.
d Nichols, officiating.
Mrs. Walter S. Leatherbury Dies
r. Mrs. Elizabeth Nowland Leather
m bury, aged Sc, wife of Walter
-e Leatherbury, a well-known merchaT
10 of Middletown, who died suddenly {
sc chronic nephritis on the 21st inst wa
laid to rest in Forest Cemetery, Nit
dletown, Tuesday Of last week. d.
ceased was the only daughter of Il
late DIR. Edward F. and Alice Nowlan
Is and spent her entire life in Middl
town. She leaves to mourn her III
ne timely death a devoted husband ar
of one son, Nowland E. Leatherbury, te
ay Ter of the Peoples National Bank,
ly Middletown.
aor