Smyrna times., 1930-07-16
nE.TH RECORD OF WEEK
ceoree III. Hall of Milford, Former
Secretary of State, and Promin-
ont Merchant, Dies Suddenly

General George H. Hall, former
Secretary of State of Delaware,
died at his home in Milford, Sun
dav. He was stricken with par
alvsis a few days ago from which
he never recovered. His almost
sudden death was shock to Mil
ford and his friends all over the
state. General Hall was born in
Milton 76 years ago, and married
Miss Ella Hazard of that place.
He came to Milford when he was
a Young man and worked in the
store of his uncle, John P. Hall.
Later he started a grocery store
with Henry Laws, under the name
of Laws and Hall, but they later
dissolved partnership and Mr.. Hall
started a general store, which he
later enlarged into a department
store, which he conducted for a
number of years. 1t was the
largest department store south of
Wilmington. Later he sold this
store. Mr.. Hall was appointed on
the staff of Governor Preston Lea
with the rank of brigadier-general
and was also on the staff of Gov
ernor Simeon S. Pennewill with
the same rank. He was appointed
Secretary of State by Governor
Charles r. Miller to succeed his
son, Thomas w. Miller, who re-
signed to become a candidate for
Congress. He was also the first
comptroller of Sussex county. I'm
til a year ago, Mr.. Hall was presi-
dent of the Milford Trust Com
pany. He was also secretary of
the Sussex Building and Loan AS
sociation and a trustee of Avenue
NJ E. Church. After he sold his
general store Mr.. Hall formed a
real estate partnership with the
late Stanley Short. On the death
Of Mr.. Short he took over the busi-
ness and developed a number of
sections about Milford and repre-
sented number of fire insurance
companies. He lived on Clark av-
enue in a handsome home which
he recently erected and which was
located in one of the new sections
that he developed. Mr.. Hall is
survived by his wife and three
daughters, Mrs. G. Couper Kerr, of
Pitman, ~ j.; Mrs. Allen Colds
borough, Of Denton, Md, and Mrs.
Della Deakyne, of Milford. Fun
eral took place at Milford this af-
ternoon
Death of Rev. X. Irving Watkins
Rev. r. Irving Watkins, retired
minister and a former member of
the Wilmington M. E. Conference,
died at his home in Meriden, Conn.
on Saturday. He was well known
throughout Delaware and Eastern
Maryland as a very forceful
preacher. Funeral services were
held at Meriden and the body TAX
en- to Baltimore for interment in
Louden Park cemetery. The Rev.
r. 4. Thawler, pastor of the Cecil
ton, Md, M. E. Church. conducted
the services at the grave. DR..
Watkins served some of the fore
most charges in the Wilmington
Conference. His last charge in the
Wilmington Conference was New
Castle, which he gave up in 1900
to accept call to a large church
in Covington, Ky. From Coving-
ton he was transferred to the
Newark, n. j., Conference and lat
er to the New York East Confer
ence. He was a member of that
conference when he retired and
took up his residence in Meriden.
A sister Of DR.. Watkins lives in
Cecilton, Md.
Mrs. Samuel j. Thomas of Leipsic
Mrs. Mary j. Thomas. of Leipsic
one of Leipsic's most estimable
women, passed away at her home
Sunday of last week after a ling
ering illness. She was the wife of
Samuel j. Thomas and had resided
In this vicinity all her life. She
was born February 26, 1851, and
was 79 years old February past.
Mrs. Thomas was held in high es-
TEEN by all who had the pleasure
OF her acquaintance and her pass
ing was distinct loss to her loved
ones and friends. Mrs. Thomas is
survived by her husband, Samuel
J. Thomas, and daughter, Mrs.
Emeline Cole, Postmaster at Leip-
sic, wife of William E. Cole, Dep
uty State Tax Commissioner for
hent county. Funeral services
were held Tuesday Afternoon at two
o'clock at the home of her hus-
nand and interment followed at
Lakeside cemetery, Dover.
fhilip Simpler, Near Blackiston's
Philip Simpler, aged IS, died at
the home of his son, Mr.. John
simpler, near Blackiston's Cross
roads on Monday. Mr.. Conwell
Simpler of Woodland Beach is a
son. Funeral services were held
terment was made at Odd Fellows
terment was made at id Fellows
cemetery, Rev. Essell p. Thomas,