Smyrna times., 1922-07-05
DEATH RECORD OF THE WEEK
Joseph H. Wright, Prominent Lumber
Merchant and Former Town COm-
Gilman Died Suddenly at Home

Merchant and Former Town COun-
Gilman Died Suddenly at Home
Joseph H. Wright, Smyrna's we'll
known lumber merchant and promi-
nent citizen died almost suddenly Sat
urday morning about 1.30 o'clock after
one of his heart attacks which develop
ed in the early evening. He was in
his 65th year of age. Several months
ago he suffered a physical breakdown
but seemed to be in brighter spirits
recently and had just welcomed his
brothers and sisters who had arrived
to spend the Fourth. Saturday eve
ming following dinner he suffered
heart attack and was moved to the
couch and later taken to his room. He
became more comfortable until an
other sinking spell came from which
he did not rally. The death of
Joseph Wright was a shock to his
friends and the whole community.
While it was known he had impaired
health, none felt the end was so near.
He was a good citizen, attended strict
ly to business and lived an exemplary
life. He was born and raised in
Smyrna, being a son of the late Joseph
and Elizabeth Carter Wright, who
came to this country from England.
Young Joe learned his trade at carpen-
tering which he followed until he went
into business for himself, having his
lumber yard on Benson street. Later
| he purchased the old John c. Bailey
yard on east Commerce street, which
he carried on successfully until his
! death. For ten years he was a MEM
/ ber of Smyrna Town Council, retiring
some five or six years ago. He made
a capable official. Aside from the
Town Board, he was never in public
life, preferring to give his time and
attention to his personal business in
/ developing one of the biggest and best
lumber yards of this part of the state.
Mr.. Wright is survived by his widow
! (whO, before her marriage, was Miss
Del Wright and one brother, S. Edgar
Wright of Philadelphia; and two sis
ters: Mrs. Elmer z. Taylor, of Newark
n. j., and Miss Susie Wright, of Phil
adelphia. Funeral services took place
from his late residence on Commerce
street Monday afternoon in charge of
Rev. Ransom P. Nichols of Asbury NJ
Z. Church, and interment was in the
family lot in St. Peters cemetery.
William B. Weldon Dies at MiddIetOwn
William Benedict Weldon died at his
home on North Broad Street, Middle
town, Monday morning, June 26, af-
ter an illness of several months. Mr.
Weldon had been a resident of Mid
dletOwn for the past IA years, and pre-
vious to that time was engaged IN
farming in different parts of the coun-
ty, where he was well and favorably
known. Deceased was born in New
Castle County, August 20, 1854, ant
is survived by a devoted wife and two
daughters, Mrs. William T. Pearce ,Jr.
of Middletown, and Mrs. Samuel L
Spicer, near MiddletOwn. Funera
services were held at his late home
Thursday afternoon, at one o'clock anC
interment was made in Union Gene
terry near Townsend. The service.
we're in charge of Rev. G. P. Jones
assisted by Rev. f. w. Mcdowell. Mr.
WeldOn's six nephews acted as pail
} bearers.
Prominent ElktOn Lawyer Dead
Hester Hess, 65 years old, a prom
inent lawyer of Cecil County, wa
found dead in bed at his country hom,
near Elkton, Md, Sunday. He die,
during the early hours of the day from
heart trouble. Mr.. Hess was a grad
uate of Princeton; while at college h
f won a scholarship to Edenburg Uni
versity, Germany. He read law unde
the late Albert Constable and has beei
> located in Elkton for the past 40 year
> He was a member of the Marylan
. General Assembly and quite active i
! Democratic politics. Deceased wa
t unmarried. Two brothers and a siste
survive him.