Smyrna times., 1927-03-16
DEATH RECORD OF THE WEEK
General A. B. Benson, Former Secre-
tary of State and Well-KnOwn Re-
publican Politician, Dies near Dover

publican Politician, Dies near Dover
General Alden r. Benson, secretary
Of state during the term of Governor
W. D. Denney, died at his home on a
farm about three miles west of Do
yer, Saturday morning at $50. Mr..
Benson, better known as General Ben
son, had been in poor health for the
past two years, but had been confined
to his bed since the latter part of last
November. For the past three weeks
however, he had been in such a criti-
cal condition that his death was ex-
pected at any time. Mr.. Benson was
born on May 8, 1860, near Wyoming,
Kent county, on a farm owned by Al
den B. Richardson, father of former
United States Senator Harry A. Rich
ardson, of Dover. He was named af-
ter the older Mr.. Richardson, who has
been dead for many years. While a
boy, he worked on the farm, picking
peaches and doing other chores. He
attended the country school in his
neighborhood, being privileged to go
there only during the winter months.
In 1873, he went to Dover, where he
secured position as a printer in the
office of the State Sentinel, then own
ed and edited by Henry F. Cannon of
Chicago. He married Miss Mary
Louderbough Of Dover in 1884, who
survives him. He is also survived by
two brothers, William j. and Elmer
r. Benson, both Of Dover. He worked
at the printing trade for six or eight
years. After leaving the printing
trade Mr.. Benson entered the grocery
business and later left this for the
candy and ice cream bushes on Lock
erman street, in Dover, in the building
now occupied by ]. B. Bice & Co. He
h built this stOrehouse, which is one of
the largest in Dover. He later sold
\ out this business. Mr.. Benson was a
member of the Kent County Levy
! Court for four years and a member of
City Council for term. He was ap-
/ pointed secretary Of state by Cover
nor William d. Denney and was state
chairman of the Republican State
Central Committee for several years.
At one time he was political manager
/ for the late Colonel Henry A. DUPONT
and recently had been appointed by
United States Senator Coleman du-
Pont as his social and political adj
visor. Mr.. Benson was a past master
of Union Lodge, No. z, A. F. & A. M.
He also belonged to Waneta Tribe No.
33, |. o. r. NJ, and Dover Council,
No. 27, Jr. o. U. A. NJ. Funeral took
place yesterday afternoon.
Death of Mrs. Rebecca Smith RawIey
Mrs. Rebecca Smith Rawley, aged
85, widow of John Rawley of this
town, died at the home Of her daugh-
ter, Mrs. Charles Harrington, in Ches-
ter, Pa, Thursday morning, where she
had been spending the winter. She
had been in failing health some time
The announcement of her death was
received with sorrow by her old
| friends in Smyrna A good woman,
devoted to her children, her church
and the best and most ennobling things
Of life, she lived in the quietness of
her home and family circle, endeared
by all who knew her. She was born
and raised in the Brenford- Cheswold
district and was a sister Of the late
DR.. j. M. Smith, prominent medical
practitioner of Cheswold. She was
married twice. Her first husband was
John Williams of this vicinity. He
died many years ago. Of this union
five children survive: John Williams,
prominent manufacturer of Provi-
dence, R. l.; Foster Williams of the
B. & 0. Railroad, located at Boston,
Mass; McKendree Williamson Chica-
go, ILL.,; Mrs. Charles Harrington, of
| Chester, Pa, and Mrs. S. Brady Coop
er, of Smyrna. She is also survived
by eleven grand children and two
great grandchildren. Her second hus-
band was John Rawley,a widower and
retired farmer, who died in 1922.
Her remains were brought to Smyrna
and after short services at $50 o'clock
Saturday afternoon, interment was
made at Old Bethel Cemetery near
Cheswold.
DIR. Harris B. Mcdowell, Middletown
DR.. Harris B. Mcdowell, a resident
Of Middletown, died at the Presbyter-
ian Hospital in New York City Fri
day afternoon at a o'clock, following
an operation. He had been in the
hospital for two weeks suffering from
an attack Of gall stones. DR.. Mellow
ell was born in New London, Pa, and
went to Middletown at the age of
eleven years. He had resided there
ever since. He attended New York
University from which he was grad
uated with the degree of Doctor of
Veterinary Surgery. At one time dur
ing the session of 1923-1925 DR.. Nc
DoweII was a State Senator in the
Delaware Legislature. He was prom
inent as aDemocratic politician. He
was well known in the lower part Of
New Castle county and his death
a.,... -. n .LonI- a lii m M fr-inr,Is.