Smyrna times., 1929-07-03
DEATH RECORD OF THE WEEK
Benjamin A. Groves, Former State
Senator and Member of the New
Castle Levy Court, Passes Away

Castle Levy Court, PaSSeS Away
Benjamin A. Groves, aged 20
years old, of Kiamensi, former
State Senator and Levy Court
Commissioner of New Castle Coun-
ty, and for many years Republi-
can party leader up State, died at
10 o'clock Friday morning at the
Homeopathic Hospital. He had
been i'll for several months with
heart disease and had been in the
hospital but a short time. The
funeral took place from the late
residence Sunday afternoon at 2.3O
o'clock with services in st. James
P. E. Church, Stanton, and inter
ment in ST. James cemetery Mr..
Groves was born in Christiana,
White Clay Creek Hundred, the
son of Mr.. and Mrs. Jonathan
Groves, and had been prominent
figure at Kiamensi for many years.
Early in life he taught in the pub
lie schools and for a time was prin-
cipal of the Old Academy at New
ark Mr.. Groves had been inter
ested in politics all his life and for
many years had been prominent in
the councils of the Republican par
ty. There were few Republican
State conventions in the past 40
years that Mr.. Groves did not at
tend. At many of them he was a
delegate from Christiana hundred
and in that way became known to
Republicans throughout Delaware.
He served four years as state SEN
ator from 1899 to 1903 and had
served two terms in the Levy Court
of New Castle County, the first
time being about Is years ago. He
had at various times served on
both the State and County Repub-
lican committees. Mr.. Groves was
connected with numerous lodges
for many years. He was a mem
ber of Hiram Lodge A. F. and AN.
of Newark, a member of st. Johns
Commandery and Knight Templers
He was also a member of Red
Men, Odd Fellows and Knights of
Pythias. He was a member of st.
James Episcopal Church at Stan
ton for many years and for prob
ably 20 years had been a member
of the vestry of that church. Mrs.
Groves died several years ago. He
is survived by three daughters and
two sons as follows: Mrs. Margaret
Bowen Groves, of Kiamensi, Mrs.
Helen Groves Stewart, of Whining
ton; Miss Anna Groves, of Kiamen-
81; Robert A. Groves, of Kiamensi,
and Norman A. Groves, of Will
mington, and also by one sister.
Miss Alice Groves, of Wilmington.
j. b. Clark, Native This Vicinity
James B. Clark, aged SO, Mayor
of Easton, Md, and at one time a
resident of the Kenton-Hartly dis
trict and a member of the lower
House of the Delaware Legislature
died Sunday of an heart attack. He
was married twice. His first wife
was a sister of Miss Lizzie Latter
ty, of this town, by which marriage
one daughter, Miss Margaret Clark
of Baltimore, survives. His second
wife was Miss Carrie Fish, of Eas-
ton, who also survives him as do
three brothers: N. E. Clark, OF
Easton, Md; Robert and Charles
Clark of New York City. When
a resident of Delaware he was a
staunch republican and was a
member of the Legislature in the
turbulent days when the late j
Edward Addicks sought the Sena-
torial togo at that time conferred
by the Legislature instead of by
popular vote. He stuck to Addicks
to the last. Mr. Clark moved tC
Easton, Md, about 26 years ago
entering the Merchantile business
and after taking active interest in
municipal affairs, was finally elect
ed a member of the council. He
was elected Mayor in 1926, and not
long after this his troubles began
The principal controversy which
made trouble for Mayor Clark was
the refusal of the council to sane
tion his plans purchasing Music
Hall for use as a fire engine house
and municipal offices. which his
committee recommended. This
fight which at times became bitter
and even found its way into the
courts, was finally settled on com
promise plan. Another cause fol
friction between the Mayor and his
council was the latter's refusal tc
confirm his appointment of CHIEF
Of police. The deceased will be
succeeded as Mayor by George l.
Walker, president of the Eastor
City Council, who will fill the office
until the expiration of the term ir
1880. A special election will be
called to fill the office of president
n D CI.-f1x, n;au Naar u anton