Smyrna times., 1931-02-18
DEATH RECORD OF WEEK
Richard Nj. Johnson of Milford,
a Shoe Manufacturer in Smyrna,
Dies After a Lingering Illness

a Shoe NIdnuldcturer III Shhy iHas
Dies After a Lingering Illness
Richard M. Johnson, aged "a, of
Milford, who forty and fifty years
ago. was a prominent shoe manu-
facturer in Smyrna, died Sunday
after a lingering illness of general
debility. Mr.. Johnson is known to
a number of Smyrnians who regret
to learn of his passing away. Fifty
wears ago Mr.. Johnson was the
senior member of Johnson and
Brother Shoe manufacturers of
an industry that thrived
for number of years and employ
ed a considerable amount of labor.
The industry was located in what
is now part of the store property
of John w. Tucker. They had a
on the second and
third floors and retail store on
the first floor. Mr.. Richard M.
Johnson had associated with him
his brother William T. Johnson
and their brand of shoes were ex-
tensiveIy known over a wide ter
ritory. The business thrived for a
of years. Mr.. Richard
Johnson lived on South street in
what is now known as the Wilds S
property once the old No. 4 school
house. After the firm went into
bankruptcy and discontinued bust
ness Mr.. Johnson moved to Sails
bury, Md, and started an electric
light plant. Subsequently he sold
it to the city and moved back to
his old home in Milford where he
has resided ever since. He was the
son of the late Nathaniel Johnson
of Milford and was born, raised
and spent most of his life in his
old home town. He is survived by
his only daughter, Miss Elizabeth
Johnson of Milford, and his niece,
Mrs. William Cooper, whom he
raised and who before her mar
riage was Miss Daisy Dorman.
He is also survived by half-sister
Mrs. Laura Young of Milford. Dur
ing the late war he lost his only
son, Harry Johnson. The late Will
liam t. Johnson was an own broth
er and the late Thomas Johnson,
and the late Theodore Johnson,
both formerly Of Smyrna and vi
cinity, were half brothers. His
wife died many years ago. Mr..
Johnson was a prominent member
of the Methodist Protestant Church
and a strong Republican. He new
er held office. Funeral services
were held yesterday, Tuesday, al
Milford.
Death of Walter I'll. Davis, Milford
Walter H. Davis, aged 50, re
tired butcher of Milford, at one
time in the meat business in Clay
ton, died suddenly at his home on
East Front street, South Milford at
two o'clock Wednesday morning
from an attack of heart trouble
while sitting in a chair. Mr.. Davis
was a member of the Wilmington
Lodge of Elks, which organization
had charge of the funeral services
at his late home at two o'clock
Friday afternoon. Mr.. Davis i
survived by his mother, Mrs. Har-
rison Davis; his wife, one daughter
Mrs. John Mertz, of Wilmington, q
sister, Mrs. Oscar d. Ackerman, OF
Milford, and one brother, Edward
NJ Davis, Of Wilmington.
Mrs.H. r. @. Hansen Near Smyrna
Mrs. Hattie NJ. Hansen, wife OF
II. P. Q. Hansen Of near Bay View
School in Severson's Neck, died al
her home on Sunday after ling
ering illness. She was the daugh-
ter Of the late Mr.. and Mrs. Sam.
uel Bagley of Vermont and was sc
years of age. Besides her husband
she is survived by one half broth
er, Harry Bagley Of White River
Junction, Vermont Funeral ser.
vices will be held at her late home
near Smyrna on Thursday after
noon at 1 o'clock and interment
ment made at Odd Fellows Gem.
etery.
Mrs. George William Grier, Milford
Mrs. George William Grier, who
left some time ago to make hel
home in Europe, died at her home
IA Stanhope Road, South Shields
England. Mrs. Grier is survived
by her husband and also by son
Walter Theodore Grier, who live;
at $50 Ovington ave-, Brooklyn, N
Y. Mrs. Grier's husband is
nephew of the late George S. Griel
of Milford.
William A.Cosden Dies Near Dover
William A. Cosden, 81, one Of
Kent -County's highly respected re
tired farmers who has been in IL
health for many months died il
Dover Wednesday. The funera
was held Friday afternoon will
interment at Odd Fellows cemetery
Camden. He is survived by two
sons and a daughter.