Smyrna times., 1926-07-28
DEATH RECORD OF THE WEEK
A. A. Christian of Greensboro, Nd,
Manager of Gimbel Brothers PhiIa-
delphia Store. Passes Away

| bePS store, Philadelphia, with which
he had been connected for 80 years,
died Saturday at his country home, in
Greensboro, Nd, following a protract-
ed illness superinduced by a nervous
breakdown. He was 81 years old
Mr.. Christian began his career with
Gimbel's store in 1894, when he en-
tered the employ of the firm as ad-
vertising manager. About 10 years
ago he was also appointed general
manager of the store. He was prom
inently known in advertising circles
throughout the East and was one of
the organizers of the Poor Richard
Club. He was also a member of the
Manufacturers Club of Philadelphia.
Mr.. Christians hobbies were poultry
raising and farming. He acquired the
Byzantine Farms, comprising about
1000 acres around Greensboro, and at
tracted nationwide attention among
poultry raisers several years ago with
Lady Byzantine, a White Leghorn hen
that won the worlds championship
egg-laying contest. Mr.. Christian
was also interested in horticulture, and
during the past few years he devoted
considerable attention to the cultiva-
tion Of dahlias. He was member of
the Protestant Episcopal Church, and
attended the Church Of the Saviour, at
Thirty-eighth and Chestnut streets,
Philadelphia. His Philadelphia home
was at the Buckingham Apartments,
No. 1906 Walnut street. Mr.. Chris
tian is survived by his widow, Mrs.
Minnie Christian, and four daughters,
Mrs. Temple Smith and Mrs. Irwin
Brumbaugh, of Greensboro, and the
Misses Elizabeth and Margaret Chris
tian. Funeral services were held at l
o'clock Monday from his Greensboro
home. Interment was in Greensboro.
Death Of Mrs. John L. Seemans
Mrs. Mary E. Seemans, aged rs,
wife Of John i. Seemans, a prominent
farmer west Of Clayton, died Monday
night after an illness of a fews days
Of paralysis. The announcement Of
her death was shock to those of her
friends who did not know of her ill
ness. She was the daughter of John
w. and Rebecca (Blackiston) Thomas,
born, raised and spent her whole life
in Blackbird Hundred where she was
loved and esteemed by large fam
lily and host of friends. She was a
member Of long standing Of Salem
Church. Besides her husband she is
survived by nine children, as follows:
Andrew G. Seemans, Baltimore, Md,
formerly Of Clayton; Mrs. Fora Nc
Lean, Philadelphia; John E. Seemans,
Newark. Mrs. w. I. Hobson, near
Smyrna; Mrs. Walter L. Marker, near
Clayton; Edgar P. Seemans, of Oak
land, Cal; Mrs. Robert Wright, Clay
ton; Harry Seemans, Middletown, and
Raymond G. Seemans, Goldsboro, Md.
Funeral will take place tomorrow,
Thursday, 29th, services at the resi-
dence of her daughter, Mrs. Walter L.
Marker, near Clayton, at p. m, in
charge Of Rev. w. G. Mumford, pastor
Clayton NJ. p Church, and interment
will be made at Odd Fellows Cemetery
Smyrna.
Mrs. John Heldmyer, Odessa, Dead
Mrs. Sarah Heldmyer, wife of John
Heldmyer, Sr., of Odessa, who died
last week was buried at Odessa Thurs
day, interment at Old Drawers Gem
etery near Odessa. The deceased was
6S years old and had been in failing
health for some time. Pneumonia
developed few days ago and result
ed in her death early Wednesday
morning. She was daughter Of
Joseph and Odelia Roemer and had
spent her entire life in Odessa, where
she had many friends and relatives.
Besides husband she leaves two
sons, John Heldmyer, Jr., Of Middle
town, and George Heldmyer, Odessa.
Geo. S. Collins, Formerly of Smyrna
Sergeant George S. Collins, famil-
iarly known as "Skeet", aged 45, Of
Hdqrs. Co., 4th Regt., U. S. Marines,
a native Smyrna boy, died at Pekin,
China, on July 22nd. He was the son
of John p. and Susan J. Collins, of
Smyrna. He is survived by a son
George, Jr., and two brothers, Frank
Collins, of Newark; John p. Collins,
Of Chester, Pa, and one sister, Fan
ME Hiorth, Of Chester, Pa. Word was
received by radiogram on last Thurs
day Of his serious illness which was
followed by another radiogram on
Saturday announcing his death. He
had the fue in December and develop
ed malaria which caused his death
He will be buried in Arlington at his
request.
Mrs. Harry Van Gasken, Wilmington
Mrs. Caroline Van Gasken, aged 65
years, wife Of Harry ]. Van Gasken,
Of Wilmington, died in the Delaware
Hospital from injuries received Thurs
day in fall from the second story
porch of her home at 212 East Sixth
street. The funeral took place from
the home Of her sister, Mrs. Anna
Publ, 806 Jackson street, at o'clock