Nansemond-Isle of Wight-Southampton County Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Crocker, Benjamin D., 1931 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/vafiles.htm ************************************************ Benjamin Crocker, Active In Civic Affairs, Passes Prominent Business Man and Church Worker, and Long a Familiar Figure In Community's Life, Succumbs Early Today In Norfolk Hospital Benjamin David Crocker, a pioneer lumberman in Nansemond county, and for many years one of the city's most prominent business leaders, died in a Norfolk hospital this morning just after 2:30 o'clock. Death followed a prolonged illness from intestinal diseases. Mr. Crocker was in his sixty- sixth year. During his long business career Mr. Crocker saw and had a big part in the development of an extensive lumber industry in Suffolk. After several connections in the lumber field, Mr. Crocker organized and became the president of the Suffolk Lumber Company in 1921. He is the only executive this corporation has had since the first planing machine was installed. The company operates a large planing and woodworking plant. In civic affairs Mr. Crocker played a considerable role in the progress which has characterized this city during the past decade. For many years he served in official capacities in the Chamber of Commerce and held important committee assignments. He was also an active member and booster of the Rotary Club. He was a devout member of the Suffolk Christian Church. Mr. Crocker was born in Isle of Wight County, but spent the major part of his life as a citizen of Suffolk. His friendly personality and intense civic pride won for him the esteem and affection of a large circle of friends. Mr. Crocker is survived by his widow, Mrs. Iola Johnson Crocker; four daughters, Mrs. Charles Haynes, of Chicago, Ill.; Mrs. C.R. Wallace, Misses Margaret Crocker and Rachel Crocker, of Suffolk; two brothers, J.E. Crocker and W.J. Crocker, both of Suffolk. Funeral services will be held at the residence, 221 N. Saratoga street tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 o'clock, with the Rev. Dr. W.W. Staley and the Rev. H S. Hardcastle conducting the rites. Interment will be made In Cedar Hill Cemetery. ****************************************************************************** BENJAMIN DAVID CROCKER Death has removed from this community in the person of Benjamin David Crocker one of its most active and loyal members, an earnest and useful citizen who was fundamentally a constructive creator and builder. A pioneer in the great industry to which he belonged, by his strict adherence to its best traditions and the standards of good business and square dealing, he added prestige and dignity to it as he did to his city and community. Thus he became a community asset and a worthy example of younger men who go out in the world to fight their way through. His rugged honesty, his kindliness of heart, his thoughtfulness of and generosity to those less fortunate were striking traits of his clean and upright character. The News-Herald knew Mr. Crocker best as a member of the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce and of the Rotary Club to both of which he gave unstinted and devoted service, assuming his responsibilities in each with the same fervid characteristics that marked his career as a citizen and business man, meeting obstacles and going through rather than around them. In that respect he was of the pioneer type which does not choose the easy but the best way to meet difficulties and the problems of life. He was loyal to his church as he was to his community from both of which he will be sorely missed. Suffolk in his death has lost an exemplary citizen who played his part nobly, and his family a member whose love and devotion will leave with them the tenderest and fondest memories. His labors done, he sleeps well. Benjamin David CROCKER, lumberman - founder of Suffolk Lumber Co., b. 24 Sep 1865, Isle of Wight Co., d. 26 Mar 1931, Norfolk, interred in Cedar Hill Cemetery*, Suffolk, 27 Mar 1931, "Suffolk (VA) News-Herald," Vol. 9, No. 4, Thurs., Mar. 26, 1931, p. 1; "Suffolk (VA) News-Herald," Vol. 9, No. 5, Fri., Mar. 27, 1931, p. 4, text of both posted with Find a Grave Memorial #77564584 *Additional information: Cedar Hill list, an extension of the Southampton County Historical Society {SCHS} Cemetery Project: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/nansemond/cemeteries/cedar_a.txt A photo of his gravestone - added by Jake Dog - is also posted with Find a Grave Memorial #77564584. D.Cert. 7567 (Norfolk #482) gives his mother as Sarah (LEWIS) CROCKER. The obits ("Times-Dispatch" & "Virginian-Pilot," Dec. 18, 1908) of his first wife Adona Ella (BRINKLEY) CROCKER are posted at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/nansemond/obits/c626a3ob.txt His brother James Edward CROCKER m. Adona's sister Jane Lee BRINKLEY; they are also buried in Cedar Hill. James' D.Cert. & obit ("Suffolk News-Herald," Sep. 18, 1944, p. 8) give his mother as Sarah A. (EARLY) CROCKER posted at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/nansemond/obits/c626j2ob.txt Joshua CROCKER, son of George & Nancy CROCKER, & Sarah A. ELEY, daughter of David & Elizabeth LEWIS, 2m. 29 Nov 1864 in Chesterfield Co. (Petersburg #90) Sarah (1827 - 1900) is also buried in Cedar Hill. Her obits ("Virginian-Pilot," Jan. 9 & 10, 1900, p. 8) are posted at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/nansemond/obits/c626s3ob.txt Joshua was a Confederate veteran, having served as a private in Co. I, 3rd VA Infantry. When he remarried, he was a cotton-factory hand. Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by File Manager Matt Harris (zoobug64@aol.com). file at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/nansemond/obits/c626b1ob.txt