Smyrna times., 1926-09-22
DEATH RECORD OF THE WEEK
James d. Pratt, Prominent Farmer of
KentOn Hundred, Dies in PhiIadel-
phia Hospital Following Operation

phia Hospital Following Operation
James D. Pratt, aged 55, prominent
farmer of Kenton Hundred, died in
the Oncologic Hospital in Philadelphia
at 9.45 Monday night following an op-
Grafton for removal of gall stones.
He had been in poor health for some
time but was able to be about and few
knew of his indesposition. Friday he
went to the Oncologic Hospital in
West Philadelphia and underwent an
operation with the hope it would re-
store him to better health. His death
was a severe shock to his family and
friends, many not even knowing he
was in the hospital. Mr.. Pratt was
born, raised and spent practically his
whole life in Kenton Hundred where
he become a prosperous farmer. In
recent years he has spent the winter
months in Smyrna moving back to the
farm in the spring. He was a son of
the late Thomas Pratt and of Mrs.
Susan Wright Pratt of Clayton. Be-
sides his mother he is survived by his
wife who was Miss Sallie B. Jones,
daughter of Mrs. S. E. Jones of this
town, and son and two daughters as
follows Homer Pratt of Kenton,
who conducts the farm; Mrs. Irving
Hart of Townsend, and Miss Louise
Pratt at home. He is also survived
by several brothers and sisters as fol-
lows: Horace Pratt Of Clayton; Mrs.
Philip Carey of near Kenton; Fletcher
Pratt, of near Millington, Md; Mrs.
John Thomas and Mrs. Charles Cow
erdale of Clayton. Funeral services
will take place from his late residence
near Kenton at two o'clock Friday af
ternoon and interment will be in Odd
Fellows cemetery, Smyrna.
Samuel J. Wright, Newark. Dead
Samuel ]. Wright, aged IA years,
president Of the Continental Fibre
Company and one Of the best known
men of Newark, died late Saturday
night at his home on East Main street,
Newark after lingering illness. Mr..
Wright went into the fibre business
in 1895 when he became associated
with the Newark plant of the Ameri-
can Hard Fibre Company. This COM
pany was later bought by the Ameri-
can Vulcanized Fibre Company Of
which company Mr.. Wright became
the vice-president. In 1905 he left
the above company and was instru-
mental in organizing the Continental
Fibre Company which now operates
one of the most progressive and mod
ern plants in the State. The incorpo-
rators of the Continental Fibre Com
pany with Mr. Wright were his old
est son, J. Pilling Wright, and Harry
L. Boham, both Of whom are still with
company. Mr. Wright was one Of
the incorporators Of the Newark Trust
and Safe Deposit Company and served
as its president from the time it was
organized until a few years ago. He
was also a director Of the Whining
ton Trust Company and member of
the Board of Managers Of the Home
opathlc Hospital, Wilmington. Since
1910 the deceased had been a member
of the Board Of Trustees Of the Uni
versity Of Delaware. He was a MEM
Der of the commission that erected the
two first buildings Of the Women's
College in 1914. In politics Mr..
Wright was Republican and while
he served on the Republican State
Committee for a number of years he
never held or sought political office.
He was a member Of the Manufactur-
er's Club of Philadelphia and the New
ark Country Club. He is survived by
his wife and three sons and two
daughters as follows: J.Pilling Wright
Norris N. Wright, Ernest B. Wright,
Miss NJ. Elsie Wright and Mrs. B. F.
Proud. All three sons were associat-
ed with him in the Continental Fibre
Company.
Robert III. Williams Dies at Milford
Colonel Robert H. Williams, aged
80 years, for many years president of
the First National Bank of Milford,
died last Monday night at his home on
South Walnut street, Milford, from
general debility. He had been presi-
dent of the bank for more than 20
years. He also owned many farms.
Colonel Williams began his business
life as clerk in a local store when a
young man at S75 a year and his
board. Later he started a store of
his own and also made considerable
money buying and selling black oak
bark for tanning purposes. He was
elected director of the First Nation
al Bank many years ago, later he be-
came vice-president and on the death
of the late James NJ. Hall, was elected
president. He is survived by two chill
dren, Mrs. Elizabeth Vale, wife of
Ruby r. Vale, we'll known attorney
and P. Causey Williams, both of Mil
ford. He was a member of the Av-
enue NJ. E. Church.
Mrs. Matilda Dickerson, Near Smyrna
Mrs. Matilda J. Dickerson, aged Sc,
widow of Caleb r. Dickerson, died at