Smyrna times., 1927-09-21
DEATH RECORD OF THE WEEK
Former Governor Charles r. Miller,
One of Delaware's Most Popular
Governors, Dies in New Jersey

One OF OeIdWdTeS N1OSC HOpuldT
Governors, Dies in New Jersey
Former Governor Charles R. Miller,
aged 20, of Wilmington, died sudden
ly while visiting his friend Col. Baker
near Clementon, N j., Sunday. He
was feeling in the best of health and
was taking a little exercise when
stricken, and it is thought he over did
it and acute dilation of the heart re-
suited. The announcement of his
death was a severe shock to his
friends not only in his home city of
Wilmington but all over the state. He
was one of Delaware's most popular
governors. Mr.. Miller was born on a
farm in Chester county, Pa, and at
tended the Westtown Friends School
and later Swarthmore College, where
he was graduated in 1879. He won
his LIB. degree at the University Of
Pennsylvania in 1881, and in 1917 the
degree of LID. was conferred on him
by the University Of Delaware. He
went to Wilmington in 1884 as a
member Of the board of the Whining
ton Malleable Iron Co., and in the
same year married Miss Abigail Nor
gan Woodruff, of Richmond, Va,
classmate at Swarthmore. In 1910 he
was elected State Senator from the
First Wilmington District by the Re
publican Party. He resigned in 1912
to accept the nomination on the Re
publican ticket for Governor and was
elected. He was the only Republican
on the State ticket to win, due to the
split in the party caused by Theodore
Roosevelt. AS Governor he advocat-
ed the erection Of woman's college
at the University Of Delaware, which
later became a reality. He also fav-
ored improved roads, revision of mar
riage and ballot laws, better schools
and greater interest in scientific farm
"A ing. Governor Miller served as the
Delaware member of the National Re
publican Congressional Committee,
was president Of the Delaware State
Board of Charities, a member Of the
American Bankers Association, a
member OF the Executive Committee
Of the Federal Legislative Commis-
sion, president of the Delaware Hos
pital, senior warden Of Emmanuel
Protestant Episcopal Church, and
president of the Farmers Bank Of
Wilmington. Mr.. Miller's wife died
January %, 1926, and his youngest
son. Clement w. Miller, died Decem-
Der "a, 1924. Colonel Miller is the
only surviving son. One daughter
Mrs. DeForest p. Willard, wife Of q
physician living at 1929 Spruce street,
also survives.
. Death of Mrs. Pauline Gray Rankin
: Mrs. Mather Rankin, of Hartford
Connecticut, died Tuesdy night at the
jefferson Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa
Mrs. Rankin was formerly Miss Paul
inc Gray, eldest daughter Of Mrs. Ell
: ma Gray, of Bridgeviile, and the late
Thomas J. Gray. She was well known
I in Smyrna. Mrs. Rankin came to Del
aware September 2 to spend two
weeks with her mother. She was tax.
: en- i'll and was removed to the Jeffer-
son Hospital, where she was found tc
: be critically i'll. Death followed Tues
day evening. The body was taken K
her home and funeral services were
{ held at Hartford on Thursday. Mrs
l Rankin is survived by her husband
two daughters, Betsy, ten years; julia
2 seven years; her mother, Mrs. Elms
? Gray; a brother, Jefferson Gray, o.
Bridgeville, and Mrs. Lee Dodson
Philadelphia.
I Mrs. Mary C.Collins Formerly Smyrna
Mrs. Mary C. Collins, formerly {
d resident of Smyrna for many years
died at the home of her daughter, Mrs
e John E.Rhodes, at Chestnut Hill, Phil
: adelphia, Pa, on Thursday. Mrs
: Rhodes was formerly Miss Helen Col
f Inns. Mrs. Mary C. Collins was als'
r the mother of Mrs. Florence Reed!
: Allen, wife of Charles ]. Allen OF Rlv
|. erview avenue and Willard streets
Il Wilmington. Mrs. Collins was th'
e daughter of the late William b. Col
: Inns, who passed away many year
e ago. She married first James Reed,
1t of Wilmington. Her second marriag
s was to William B. Collins, son of tn
/ late Peter S. Collins of Smyrna. Mrs
e Collins in her younger days was on
le of the most popular women in Smyrn
y with many fine qualities and goo
W graces. Funeral took place Saturda,
'e afternoon and the interment was mad
"a at Smyrna.
Death of Mrs. John C. Garner
Mrs. Wilhelmina H.Ganer, 81 year
j old, widow of John c. Garner and wei
- known G. A. r. veteran and carpente
: of Smyrna, died at her home O.
d Frazier street, on Saturday, after
= long illness. Funeral services wer
= held at the home of her daugter, Mr..
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