(Obituary from the "Robesonian" of Lumberton, North Carolina, dated September 12th, 1912.)
Presbyterian Minister Ends Life.
This town and community were greatly shocked Tuesday afternoon when it was announced that Rev. R.E. Steele, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, was dead. He died at 2:35 o'clock at the Presbyterian manse, Tenth and Chestnut streets, as the result of taking poisonous drugs with suicidal intent. He had been slightly ill for several days and seemed much distressed mentally, but the tragic ending of his life came as a great surprise.
The funeral was conducted yesterday morning at 11 o'clock from the manse by Rev. Byron C. Clark of Salisbury, an intimate friend of the deceased, assisted by Rev. C.H. Durham, pastor of the First Baptist church of Lumberton, Revs. R.N. Cashwell and I.P. Hedgpeth, both of Lumberton, and interment was made in Meadow Brook cemetery. The music at both the home and cemetery was by a quartette consisting of Messrs. C.B. Skipper, Frank Gough. E.B. Freeman and Pope Stephens. The pail bearers active were Messrs. A.W. McLean, J.P. Russell, H.M. McAllister, John S. McNeill, T.A. McNeill, Jr., and W.K. Bethune; honorary Messrs. J.A. McAllister, M.G. McKenzie, A. Nash and ex-Judge T.A. McNeill. The floral tributes were numerous and beautiful. Among the most attractive designs were those given by the elders and deacons of the church, the Christian Endeavor Society, Ladies Aid Society, Sunday school and the local troop of Boy Scouts of America, which Mr Steele organized shortly after coming to Lumberton. He also organized the Christian Endeavor Society.
Deceased is survived by his wife, four daughters – Misses Cornelia, Louise, Marjorie, and Dorothy, – one son, Mr. Robert E., Jr. At the time of Mr. Steele's death all the members of the family were present except the son. He arrived this morning from Millard, Va., where since the first of July he had been with a civil engineering force. He was unable to reach here in time for the funeral.
Robert Edward Steele was born December 5th, 1863, near Harrison, Va. [Note - Utica, New York], and therefore would have been 49 years old next December. His father was a Methodist minister, Rev W.C. Steele, who for several years was pastor of a prominent church in New York City. He was united in marriage November 2nd, 1887, to Miss Cornelia Fitzgerald of Brunswick, Ga., who survives. At the time of his marriage he was a professor of music, but shortly afterwards entered the ministry. For a year he did evangelistic work, then for about two years he was pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Mt. Vernon, Ga. From Mt. Vernon the family went to New Orleans, La., where for about seven years, or until the Spanish American War, he was chaplain of the American Seamen's Friend Society. At the outbreak of the war he went to Key West, Fla., where he organized a sailors home. For three years immediately after the war he was a Chaplain in the United States Navy, the first year being spent in Brooklyn, New York, where he organized the Naval Y.M.C.A., the last two years being pent on board the U.S.S. Hartford, during which time he visited many parts of the world. He spent three years at Newport News, where he organized a Merchant sailors rest society which is still in existence. A year was spent in Boston, Mass., as chaplain of the Seamen's friend society, thence he went to Sutten, Va., and served as pastor of a group of Presbyterian Churches for four years; thence to Lexington, Va., where for two years he served as pastor of Momouth Presbyterian Church. He also preached at a mission church there. For about two years he was pastor of a group of churches at Spencer, coming from there to Lumberton. He served here one year this month.
Mr. Steel was president of the State Christian Endeavor Society and presided at a State meeting of the society held recently in Wilmington. He was also State president of the same organization while in Virginia.
Besides the immediate members of the family Mr. Steele is survived by one brother, who lives in Chicago, a step mother, a half brother and a half sister, who live in New York.
Presbyterian Minister Ends Life.
This town and community were greatly shocked Tuesday afternoon when it was announced that Rev. R.E. Steele, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, was dead. He died at 2:35 o'clock at the Presbyterian manse, Tenth and Chestnut streets, as the result of taking poisonous drugs with suicidal intent. He had been slightly ill for several days and seemed much distressed mentally, but the tragic ending of his life came as a great surprise.
The funeral was conducted yesterday morning at 11 o'clock from the manse by Rev. Byron C. Clark of Salisbury, an intimate friend of the deceased, assisted by Rev. C.H. Durham, pastor of the First Baptist church of Lumberton, Revs. R.N. Cashwell and I.P. Hedgpeth, both of Lumberton, and interment was made in Meadow Brook cemetery. The music at both the home and cemetery was by a quartette consisting of Messrs. C.B. Skipper, Frank Gough. E.B. Freeman and Pope Stephens. The pail bearers active were Messrs. A.W. McLean, J.P. Russell, H.M. McAllister, John S. McNeill, T.A. McNeill, Jr., and W.K. Bethune; honorary Messrs. J.A. McAllister, M.G. McKenzie, A. Nash and ex-Judge T.A. McNeill. The floral tributes were numerous and beautiful. Among the most attractive designs were those given by the elders and deacons of the church, the Christian Endeavor Society, Ladies Aid Society, Sunday school and the local troop of Boy Scouts of America, which Mr Steele organized shortly after coming to Lumberton. He also organized the Christian Endeavor Society.
Deceased is survived by his wife, four daughters – Misses Cornelia, Louise, Marjorie, and Dorothy, – one son, Mr. Robert E., Jr. At the time of Mr. Steele's death all the members of the family were present except the son. He arrived this morning from Millard, Va., where since the first of July he had been with a civil engineering force. He was unable to reach here in time for the funeral.
Robert Edward Steele was born December 5th, 1863, near Harrison, Va. [Note - Utica, New York], and therefore would have been 49 years old next December. His father was a Methodist minister, Rev W.C. Steele, who for several years was pastor of a prominent church in New York City. He was united in marriage November 2nd, 1887, to Miss Cornelia Fitzgerald of Brunswick, Ga., who survives. At the time of his marriage he was a professor of music, but shortly afterwards entered the ministry. For a year he did evangelistic work, then for about two years he was pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Mt. Vernon, Ga. From Mt. Vernon the family went to New Orleans, La., where for about seven years, or until the Spanish American War, he was chaplain of the American Seamen's Friend Society. At the outbreak of the war he went to Key West, Fla., where he organized a sailors home. For three years immediately after the war he was a Chaplain in the United States Navy, the first year being spent in Brooklyn, New York, where he organized the Naval Y.M.C.A., the last two years being pent on board the U.S.S. Hartford, during which time he visited many parts of the world. He spent three years at Newport News, where he organized a Merchant sailors rest society which is still in existence. A year was spent in Boston, Mass., as chaplain of the Seamen's friend society, thence he went to Sutten, Va., and served as pastor of a group of Presbyterian Churches for four years; thence to Lexington, Va., where for two years he served as pastor of Momouth Presbyterian Church. He also preached at a mission church there. For about two years he was pastor of a group of churches at Spencer, coming from there to Lumberton. He served here one year this month.
Mr. Steel was president of the State Christian Endeavor Society and presided at a State meeting of the society held recently in Wilmington. He was also State president of the same organization while in Virginia.
Besides the immediate members of the family Mr. Steele is survived by one brother, who lives in Chicago, a step mother, a half brother and a half sister, who live in New York.
(Obituary from the "Robesonian" of Lumberton, North Carolina, dated September 12th, 1912.)
Presbyterian Minister Ends Life.
This town and community were greatly shocked Tuesday afternoon when it was announced that Rev. R.E. Steele, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, was dead. He died at 2:35 o'clock at the Presbyterian manse, Tenth and Chestnut streets, as the result of taking poisonous drugs with suicidal intent. He had been slightly ill for several days and seemed much distressed mentally, but the tragic ending of his life came as a great surprise.
The funeral was conducted yesterday morning at 11 o'clock from the manse by Rev. Byron C. Clark of Salisbury, an intimate friend of the deceased, assisted by Rev. C.H. Durham, pastor of the First Baptist church of Lumberton, Revs. R.N. Cashwell and I.P. Hedgpeth, both of Lumberton, and interment was made in Meadow Brook cemetery. The music at both the home and cemetery was by a quartette consisting of Messrs. C.B. Skipper, Frank Gough. E.B. Freeman and Pope Stephens. The pail bearers active were Messrs. A.W. McLean, J.P. Russell, H.M. McAllister, John S. McNeill, T.A. McNeill, Jr., and W.K. Bethune; honorary Messrs. J.A. McAllister, M.G. McKenzie, A. Nash and ex-Judge T.A. McNeill. The floral tributes were numerous and beautiful. Among the most attractive designs were those given by the elders and deacons of the church, the Christian Endeavor Society, Ladies Aid Society, Sunday school and the local troop of Boy Scouts of America, which Mr Steele organized shortly after coming to Lumberton. He also organized the Christian Endeavor Society.
Deceased is survived by his wife, four daughters – Misses Cornelia, Louise, Marjorie, and Dorothy, – one son, Mr. Robert E., Jr. At the time of Mr. Steele's death all the members of the family were present except the son. He arrived this morning from Millard, Va., where since the first of July he had been with a civil engineering force. He was unable to reach here in time for the funeral.
Robert Edward Steele was born December 5th, 1863, near Harrison, Va. [Note - Utica, New York], and therefore would have been 49 years old next December. His father was a Methodist minister, Rev W.C. Steele, who for several years was pastor of a prominent church in New York City. He was united in marriage November 2nd, 1887, to Miss Cornelia Fitzgerald of Brunswick, Ga., who survives. At the time of his marriage he was a professor of music, but shortly afterwards entered the ministry. For a year he did evangelistic work, then for about two years he was pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Mt. Vernon, Ga. From Mt. Vernon the family went to New Orleans, La., where for about seven years, or until the Spanish American War, he was chaplain of the American Seamen's Friend Society. At the outbreak of the war he went to Key West, Fla., where he organized a sailors home. For three years immediately after the war he was a Chaplain in the United States Navy, the first year being spent in Brooklyn, New York, where he organized the Naval Y.M.C.A., the last two years being pent on board the U.S.S. Hartford, during which time he visited many parts of the world. He spent three years at Newport News, where he organized a Merchant sailors rest society which is still in existence. A year was spent in Boston, Mass., as chaplain of the Seamen's friend society, thence he went to Sutten, Va., and served as pastor of a group of Presbyterian Churches for four years; thence to Lexington, Va., where for two years he served as pastor of Momouth Presbyterian Church. He also preached at a mission church there. For about two years he was pastor of a group of churches at Spencer, coming from there to Lumberton. He served here one year this month.
Mr. Steel was president of the State Christian Endeavor Society and presided at a State meeting of the society held recently in Wilmington. He was also State president of the same organization while in Virginia.
Besides the immediate members of the family Mr. Steele is survived by one brother, who lives in Chicago, a step mother, a half brother and a half sister, who live in New York.
Presbyterian Minister Ends Life.
This town and community were greatly shocked Tuesday afternoon when it was announced that Rev. R.E. Steele, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, was dead. He died at 2:35 o'clock at the Presbyterian manse, Tenth and Chestnut streets, as the result of taking poisonous drugs with suicidal intent. He had been slightly ill for several days and seemed much distressed mentally, but the tragic ending of his life came as a great surprise.
The funeral was conducted yesterday morning at 11 o'clock from the manse by Rev. Byron C. Clark of Salisbury, an intimate friend of the deceased, assisted by Rev. C.H. Durham, pastor of the First Baptist church of Lumberton, Revs. R.N. Cashwell and I.P. Hedgpeth, both of Lumberton, and interment was made in Meadow Brook cemetery. The music at both the home and cemetery was by a quartette consisting of Messrs. C.B. Skipper, Frank Gough. E.B. Freeman and Pope Stephens. The pail bearers active were Messrs. A.W. McLean, J.P. Russell, H.M. McAllister, John S. McNeill, T.A. McNeill, Jr., and W.K. Bethune; honorary Messrs. J.A. McAllister, M.G. McKenzie, A. Nash and ex-Judge T.A. McNeill. The floral tributes were numerous and beautiful. Among the most attractive designs were those given by the elders and deacons of the church, the Christian Endeavor Society, Ladies Aid Society, Sunday school and the local troop of Boy Scouts of America, which Mr Steele organized shortly after coming to Lumberton. He also organized the Christian Endeavor Society.
Deceased is survived by his wife, four daughters – Misses Cornelia, Louise, Marjorie, and Dorothy, – one son, Mr. Robert E., Jr. At the time of Mr. Steele's death all the members of the family were present except the son. He arrived this morning from Millard, Va., where since the first of July he had been with a civil engineering force. He was unable to reach here in time for the funeral.
Robert Edward Steele was born December 5th, 1863, near Harrison, Va. [Note - Utica, New York], and therefore would have been 49 years old next December. His father was a Methodist minister, Rev W.C. Steele, who for several years was pastor of a prominent church in New York City. He was united in marriage November 2nd, 1887, to Miss Cornelia Fitzgerald of Brunswick, Ga., who survives. At the time of his marriage he was a professor of music, but shortly afterwards entered the ministry. For a year he did evangelistic work, then for about two years he was pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Mt. Vernon, Ga. From Mt. Vernon the family went to New Orleans, La., where for about seven years, or until the Spanish American War, he was chaplain of the American Seamen's Friend Society. At the outbreak of the war he went to Key West, Fla., where he organized a sailors home. For three years immediately after the war he was a Chaplain in the United States Navy, the first year being spent in Brooklyn, New York, where he organized the Naval Y.M.C.A., the last two years being pent on board the U.S.S. Hartford, during which time he visited many parts of the world. He spent three years at Newport News, where he organized a Merchant sailors rest society which is still in existence. A year was spent in Boston, Mass., as chaplain of the Seamen's friend society, thence he went to Sutten, Va., and served as pastor of a group of Presbyterian Churches for four years; thence to Lexington, Va., where for two years he served as pastor of Momouth Presbyterian Church. He also preached at a mission church there. For about two years he was pastor of a group of churches at Spencer, coming from there to Lumberton. He served here one year this month.
Mr. Steel was president of the State Christian Endeavor Society and presided at a State meeting of the society held recently in Wilmington. He was also State president of the same organization while in Virginia.
Besides the immediate members of the family Mr. Steele is survived by one brother, who lives in Chicago, a step mother, a half brother and a half sister, who live in New York.
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