Smyrna times., 1930-03-26
DEATH RECORD OF WEEK
Louis Topkis, Head of Topl<is
Brothers Company, With Branch
in SMYRNA, Dies in Wilmington


Louis Topkis, of the firm of Top
kis Brothers Company, who oper-
ate the underwear factory in
Snyrna, died at his home, 1902
Baynard Boulevard, Sunday night,
after an illness due to complica-
tion of diseases. He had return
ed from Florida less than week
ago and became worse on his re-
turn. The funeral took place from
his home Monday afternoon at $50
o'clock with services at the house
ard interment in Lombardy ceme-
tery. News of the death of Mr..
Topkis came as a shock to his
numerous friends and many mes
sages Of coincidence were sent in
as soon as it became known that
he was dead. The factory in
SMYRNA of which Charles P.Thorn-
lev is manager, as did all other
factories in the chain, closed out of
respect to their deceased president.
The story of the life of the de-
ceased reads like romance. Be
ginning business as a peddler he
became a successful merchant, a
manufacturer and head of con-
cern with seventeen branches in
Delaware and Maryland and was
interested in a number of other
projects. Mr.. Topkis was born in
Odessa, Russia, 81 years ago.
When he was nine years old the
parents of Mr.. Topkis, Mr.. and
Mrs. Jacob Henry Topkis came to
this country being refugees follow
ing a massacre of Jews in Russia.
Coming to Wilmington when Mr..
Topkis was still young. With a
pack on his back he peddled goods
in Wilmington and the surround
ing country. Later he became
leading merchant. In 1900 Mr..
Topkis formed the Delmarvia
Manufacturing Company, which
was later merged with another
company under the name Of the
Topkis Brothers Company, with
the main office and large factory
at PIT French street, Wilmington.
He was president of this company
from its formation until his death.
MIR Topkis was interested in vari-
GUS charitable and other organiza-
tIons, and did much good and not
able work in Jewish organizations.
Much interested in the Zionist
movement, and made a trip to
Jerusalem in order to become pers-
onally acquainted. Mr.. Topkis
r'arried Miss Esther M. Krigstone,
who with six children survive him.
He is also survived by three broth
ers and a sister. They are David
L. Topkis and Mrs. James N.
Ginns.
Death of Mrs. Emma Rawley Jones
Mrs. Emma Rawley Jones, widow
of William w. Jones, retired
farmer of Kenton Hundred, and
the daughter of the late John and
Sarah j. (Wrench) Rawley of
Smyrna, died at the home of her
son, Mr. Ord u. Jones and Mrs.
Jones at Overlook, Pa, on Sun
day. Mrs. Jones recently sustain
ed a severe fall, the shock of which
she never fully recovered. Pneu-
monia set in and her impaired
system could not withstand the at
tack. The news of her death was
a severe shock to her relatives and
friends. She spent her whole life
in and about Smyrna and in her
younger days was considered one
of Smyrna's most lovely young
women. She was member of
Asbury M. E. Church and highly
esteemed by all who knew her.
She was 65 years of age. She is
survived by one son, Mr.. Ord U.
Jones of Overbrook, Pa. one daugh-
ter, Mrs. Roland Ford of this town,
two brothers, Mr.. Harry Rawley of
Atlantic City, N. j., and Mr.. Allen
Rawley of Smyrna, and one sister,
Mrs. Sarah E. Van Voorhees, of
Atlantic City, N j. Funeral serv-
ives were held this afternoon, We'd
nesday, at 2 o'clock at her home
on South street and interment
made in Odd Fellows Cemetery.
Rev. z. P. Thomas offlciated and
the Asbury Quartette rendered
favorite hymns.
J. III. Staats, Taylors' Bridge
James H. Stats. aged 81, for
many years a prominent farmer of
the Smyrna-Taylors Bridge vicin-
ity, died at his home near Taylors'
Bridge, Thursday, after a linger-
ing illness. He was the son of the
late Isaac and Ann Van Pelt
stats and was born ard spent his
life in the neighborhood of Tay-
lors Bridge where he was esteem
ed by all who knew him. He is
survived by his wife, and two
daughters, Mrs. Carey Severson, of
Taylor's Bridge, and Mrs. William
L. Elliott of Christiana. He is also
survived by one sister, Mrs. Emily
Jdrrall form arIty of -rnurpo rouy