Smyrna times., 1926-12-22
DEATH RECORD OF THE WEEK
Rev. Robert Watt, d. d., Ten Years
Resident Of Smyrna While Pastor
and District Superintendent

I'D anu Oil6 OI Cil6 nlOSC prominent re-
tired ministers of Wilmington Meth
odist Episcopal Conference, died Mon
day morning at the home of his
daughter Mrs. John w. Kirn (nee Miss
Rebecca Waltz at Worcester, Mass.
His wife and one daughter survive
him. The announcement Of his death
was received with sorrow by his old
friends of Smyrna and throughout the
conference district. DR.. Watt was a
resident Of Smyrna for about ten
years, serving as pastor of Asbury M.
E. Church from 1904 to 1910 and as
District Superintendent of this dis
trict with residence in Smyrna from
1910 to 1916. DR.. Watt had been one
Of the outstanding pastors Of the
Wilmington Conference for many
years, and had held more positions of
honor in the Conference than any 9th
er member of it. He had served as
district superintendent of Wilmington
district twice and Of Easton district
once. DR.. Watt had been elected del
egate to the General Conference of
the church several times, and enjoyed
the closest relations with the bishops
Of the church. He was a member Of
several boards of the General Confer
ence, and it had been reported at var
ious times that Dr. Watt rejected of
fers of important secretaryships Of
church boards or commissions. DR..
Watt was a native Of Ireland, where
he was born about SO years ago. He
spent his early boyhood near Cohoes,
n. Y. He graduated at Drew Theo-
logical Seminary, in the class Of 1885,
being a classmate Of Rev. James Nv.
Easley Of Wilmington. He was adj
mitted to the Wilmington Conference
in March, 1885, and was first assigned
to Princess Anne, Md, Church, where
he served two years, his succeeding
charge being as follows: 1889, Snow
Hill, Md; 1908, Milford; 1894-5,
Scott Church, Wilmington; 1867,
Laurel; 1898-O3, superintendent Of
Wilmington district; 19O4-1O, Smyrna
charge; 1910-15, superintendent Eas-
ton district with residence in Smyrna;
1916 until his retirement, three years
ago, superintendent of Wilmington
district.
Mrs. ]. Edwin HOffecker Passes Away
Mrs. Annie Scott Hoffecker, aged
65, wife of J. Edwin Hoffecker, secre-
tary and treasurer of the J. H. Hof-
fecker Canning Company of this town,
passed peacefully away at two o'clock
this morning. Practically bed-ridden
for fifteen years, she suffered another
stroke Monday morning from which
she never regained consciousness. It
was on December %, 1911, she suffer
er her first breakdown. She and Mr..
Hoffecker were then preparing to go
to Baltimore to spend Christmas. Fol
Lowing this attack of aphasia she be-
came paralysed and for fifteen years
has been a patient sufferer. Mrs. Hof-
fecker was born in Washington, March
%, 1861 She was a daughter of the
late William A. and Annie (Deady)
Scott Her girlhood however, was
spent in Baltimore, Nd, where she
met Mr.. Hoffecker who at that time
was a resident of Baltimore be-
ing cashier of the Liverpool Steam
ship Line They were married Novem-
Der 19, 1884. In 1886 they moved to
Smyrna. OF cheerful, bright and
happy disposition she made friends
readily and was active in the social
life Of Smyrna When the Twentieth
Century Club Of Smyrna was organ
lied in 1897, she became a charter
,.,ox,oI,o,. -. 4 r.,o- oJoo+ad ;+s g Er-4 Y,,.ac
ident. Her untiring efforts had much
to do with the building of the pretty
Century Club House which stands on
west Commerce stret. She, With her
husband, were among the members of
the early organization of the Tuesday
Club and until her affliction fifteen
years ago she was ever popular in the
social circles. She was a member Of
the old st. Polycarp r. C. Church be-
fore it was discontinued in Smyrna.
Funeral services will take place from
her late residence on north Main
street at two o'clock Friday afternoon
in charge Of Rev. Father DeNey, pas
tor Of st. Joseph's R. G. Church, Clay
ton, and interment will be in Glen
wood cemetery.
Miss Sallie Ransom Dies on Frazier st
Miss Sallie Ransom, who for years
has been making her home with her
sister, Miss Bertha Ransom, and her
aunt Miss Patterson, died early Satur- !
day morning at her home on Frazier |
street after a lingering illness. She
was a daughter of the late w. Ma
.haniel Ransom and was born, raised |
and spent her whole life in this vicin-
ty. Her life was centered in her
nome to which she was devoted. After
moving in from the farm she and her |
sister have been residing in the bung- |
allow on Frazier street. She was a
member Of the Presbyterian Church. /
She is survived by two sisters and |
.hree brothers as follows: Miss Bertha