Colonel Andrew J. Polk, born August 10, 1824, son of Colonel William Polk, and Sarah (Hawkins) Polk, married Rebecca Van Leer, daughter of Anthony Wayne Van Leer. Three children lived to maturity—viz: 1, Antoinette Van Leer Polk; 2, Anthony Van Leer Polk (unmarried); 3, Rebecca K. Polk (unmarried). Antoinette Van Leer Polk, daughter of Colonel Andrew J ack son Polk and Rebecca (Van Leer) Polk, married Marquis de Cherette. One child: Anthony Van Leer Polk de Cherette. Mrs. Andrew J. - Polk and Miss Polk reside with Madame Cherette, at" Cannes, France. Anthony Van Leer Polk, United States Consul to Calcutta, recently resigned.
https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=fFs-AQAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&pg=GBS.PA60
April 2023 - received this update from FAG Contributor TracyL (47141011) with some added info:
" I found these articles and thought you might life to post them. Among other things, they show that Van Leer Polk was married at the time of his death. I suspect that the reference you have stating he was unmarried (the link posted to the American Historical Magazine) was published before his marriage, and that information was just copied and repeated. I would be interested in what you think about that.
from The Tennessean, Nashville, TN, Friday, Dec. 20, 1907, pg 1:
VAN LEER POLK STRICKEN DEAD
On a Street in Business District in Memphis.
OF DISTINGUISHED FAMILY.
Grand Nephew of Former President--Remains Reach Here This Morning and Funeral of Private Nature Occurs Saturday From Home of V.L. Kirkman
MEMPHIS, Tenn., Dec. 19.--(Special)--Hon. Van Leer Polk, formerly of Nashville, was stricken with heart failure at 4:45 o'clock this afternoon while crossing Main street near Court Square, in company with his wife. Before an ambulance could reach the scene Mr. Polk had expired. Mr. and Mrs. Polk were crossing Main street, when they were halted by a passing car. While waiting he swooned and fell to the ground. A large crowd gathered, thinking an accident had occurred. Dr. W.S.A. Castels and Dr. G.B. Thornton, among them, who administered to the stricken man, but he expired before the ambulance arrived.
W.J. Webster, of Columbia, attorney for the family, was notified and immediately left for Memphis in an automobile and will accompany the body to Nashville tomorrow. Walter Cain and Mrs. Polk will also accompany the remains.
Mr. Polk came to Memphis several weeks ago, and at the time of his death was editor of the Weekly News-Scimitar. His death came as a profound shock to the community as well as the entire State, as he was a man of national and international fame, having served the diplomatic service and spending many years of his life abroad.
(By Associated Press.)
(same page)
MEMPHIS, Tenn., Dec. 19.--Van Leer Polk, grandnephew of former President Polk, and a member of one of the most distinguished families of this State, died suddenly here late today, the result of an attack of heart disease. Mr. Polk became ill while crossing a thoroughfare in the business section of the city in company with his wife, and died in a few minutes.
At the time of his death, Mr. Polk was engaged in newspaper work, being attached to the News-Scimitar, of Memphis, in an editorial capacity. During the last Democratic National Administration he served as Consul General to Calcutta. His remains will be taken to his home near Nashville, Tenn., tomorrow to be interred.
++++++
The report has reached Nashville of the sudden death of Hon. Van Leer Polk, one of Tennessee's well-known journalists, which occurred in Memphis Thursday afternoon. Several weeks ago Mr. Polk assumed the editorship of the Weekly News-Scimitar, and was serving in that capacity at the time of his death.
During the day Thursday and previous to that time Mr. Polk was enjoying excellent health. He dropped dead of heart trouble while walking along the street in company with his wife.
The news of Mr. Polk's death was quite a shock to his many friends and acquaintances in Nashville. For a number of years he was associated with various newspapers in Nashville, at one time being the editor of the Nashville Daily News. Mr. Polk was born near Columbia, Tenn., about 52 years ago, and was the son onf Andrew J. and Rebecca Van Leer Polk. He served in the State Senate of Tennessee, and was one of the most prominent members and assiduous workers in that body. Later he was appointed Consul General to Calcutta by President Cleveland, and filled the position with honor. He led a rather ubiquitous life, and although he claimed Tennessee as his home, his work carried him to all parts of the world. Mr. Polk founded and conducted Polk's Weekly, and when the Nashville Daily News was founded he was called to the editorial chair. Mr. Polk accompanied Secretary Root to South America as a member of the United States delegation to the Pan American Congress.
About one year ago Mr. Polk was married to Mrs. Dorothy Bodine, of New York, and she, together with his two sisters, Baroness de Charette, of France, and Miss Rebecca Polk, survive him.
The remains will arrive from Memphis tonight and will be conveyed to the home of his cousin, Van L. Kirkman, from whence the funeral will be conducted Saturday morning. Owing to the illness of Mr. Kirkman, the funeral exercises will be of a private nature.
The Tennessean, Nashville, TN, Saturday, Dec. 21, 1907, pg 5:
VAN LEER POLK BURIED TODAY
REMAINS REACH HERE THIS MORNING FROM MEMPHIS--REST AT MT. OLIVET.
The remains of Van Leer Polk, who died suddenly in Memphis Thursday afternoon, will reach here this morning from Memphis. The body was expected here Friday night, but the funeral party was unable to complete arrangements in time to leave Memphis earlier than the evening train. Mrs. Polk will accompany the body and also a cousin, Mrs. Lucius E. Burch, who was visiting in Memphis, and Walter Cain. Mrs. Van Leer Kirkman and other relatives will meet them at the train and they will go directly to Oak Hill, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Kirkman, where the funeral will take place privately, followed by burial at Mt. Olivet. Mr. Polk will be laid beside his grandfather, Anthony Wayne Van Leer, on the Van Leer lot, which is in one of the central locations in the cemetery. Some speculation was indulged in as to whether the body would be taken to the old Polk burial ground, in St. John's Church yard, Maury County, where sleep so many of the connection. But Mr. Polk's parents were both buried in Europe, and only his infant brothers and sisters rest in the old churchyard. Nearly all of the connection have removed from the section, and it was deemed best to lay him in a permanent cemetery, where an equally large number of his kindred are buried. The services will be very brief and simple, consisting merely of the Episcopal burial office. All of his kindred in this section will be present and Mrs. Campbell Brown, of Spring Hill, and Trezevant Yeatman and Miss Jennie Yeatman, of Ashwood, will come to attend.
No further particulars of his death have been learned. So far as his family here knew, he had not known of his heart being affected. He had a slight fainting attack last summer on the train en route to Mt. Pleasant, but it was attributed to the excessive heat, and he suffered no perceptible bad effects. He had been remarkably strong and active, and was of superb physique, giving no outward evidence of being the victim of incurable disease.
Mrs. Kitchens, the mother of Mrs. Polk, was in Chicago visiting another daughter when Mr. Polk died and was telegraphed at once. She arrived Friday night and will return with her daughter to Memphis. Mrs. Kitchen (sic) is with Mrs. Van Leer Kirkman.
Remains Leave Memphis.
MEMPHIS, Dec. 20--(Special.)--The body of Van Leer Polk, who died suddenly on Main street Thursday afternoon, was forwarded tonight at 9 o'clock over the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. Accompanying the remains were Mrs. Polk, wife of the deceased, Walter Cain, a friend of Mr. Polk; W.J. Webster, attorney for the Polk family, and Dr. and Mrs. Lucius Burch, of Nashville. Mrs. Burch is a cousin of the deceased and came to Memphis to meet her husband, who has been attending a National convention of surgeons at New Orleans. She was in the city when Mr. Polk died. The remains will be met at Nashville by Mr. and Mrs. Van Leer Kirkman and other relatives."
https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=fFs-AQAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&pg=GBS.PA60
April 2023 - received this update from FAG Contributor TracyL (47141011) with some added info:
" I found these articles and thought you might life to post them. Among other things, they show that Van Leer Polk was married at the time of his death. I suspect that the reference you have stating he was unmarried (the link posted to the American Historical Magazine) was published before his marriage, and that information was just copied and repeated. I would be interested in what you think about that.
from The Tennessean, Nashville, TN, Friday, Dec. 20, 1907, pg 1:
VAN LEER POLK STRICKEN DEAD
On a Street in Business District in Memphis.
OF DISTINGUISHED FAMILY.
Grand Nephew of Former President--Remains Reach Here This Morning and Funeral of Private Nature Occurs Saturday From Home of V.L. Kirkman
MEMPHIS, Tenn., Dec. 19.--(Special)--Hon. Van Leer Polk, formerly of Nashville, was stricken with heart failure at 4:45 o'clock this afternoon while crossing Main street near Court Square, in company with his wife. Before an ambulance could reach the scene Mr. Polk had expired. Mr. and Mrs. Polk were crossing Main street, when they were halted by a passing car. While waiting he swooned and fell to the ground. A large crowd gathered, thinking an accident had occurred. Dr. W.S.A. Castels and Dr. G.B. Thornton, among them, who administered to the stricken man, but he expired before the ambulance arrived.
W.J. Webster, of Columbia, attorney for the family, was notified and immediately left for Memphis in an automobile and will accompany the body to Nashville tomorrow. Walter Cain and Mrs. Polk will also accompany the remains.
Mr. Polk came to Memphis several weeks ago, and at the time of his death was editor of the Weekly News-Scimitar. His death came as a profound shock to the community as well as the entire State, as he was a man of national and international fame, having served the diplomatic service and spending many years of his life abroad.
(By Associated Press.)
(same page)
MEMPHIS, Tenn., Dec. 19.--Van Leer Polk, grandnephew of former President Polk, and a member of one of the most distinguished families of this State, died suddenly here late today, the result of an attack of heart disease. Mr. Polk became ill while crossing a thoroughfare in the business section of the city in company with his wife, and died in a few minutes.
At the time of his death, Mr. Polk was engaged in newspaper work, being attached to the News-Scimitar, of Memphis, in an editorial capacity. During the last Democratic National Administration he served as Consul General to Calcutta. His remains will be taken to his home near Nashville, Tenn., tomorrow to be interred.
++++++
The report has reached Nashville of the sudden death of Hon. Van Leer Polk, one of Tennessee's well-known journalists, which occurred in Memphis Thursday afternoon. Several weeks ago Mr. Polk assumed the editorship of the Weekly News-Scimitar, and was serving in that capacity at the time of his death.
During the day Thursday and previous to that time Mr. Polk was enjoying excellent health. He dropped dead of heart trouble while walking along the street in company with his wife.
The news of Mr. Polk's death was quite a shock to his many friends and acquaintances in Nashville. For a number of years he was associated with various newspapers in Nashville, at one time being the editor of the Nashville Daily News. Mr. Polk was born near Columbia, Tenn., about 52 years ago, and was the son onf Andrew J. and Rebecca Van Leer Polk. He served in the State Senate of Tennessee, and was one of the most prominent members and assiduous workers in that body. Later he was appointed Consul General to Calcutta by President Cleveland, and filled the position with honor. He led a rather ubiquitous life, and although he claimed Tennessee as his home, his work carried him to all parts of the world. Mr. Polk founded and conducted Polk's Weekly, and when the Nashville Daily News was founded he was called to the editorial chair. Mr. Polk accompanied Secretary Root to South America as a member of the United States delegation to the Pan American Congress.
About one year ago Mr. Polk was married to Mrs. Dorothy Bodine, of New York, and she, together with his two sisters, Baroness de Charette, of France, and Miss Rebecca Polk, survive him.
The remains will arrive from Memphis tonight and will be conveyed to the home of his cousin, Van L. Kirkman, from whence the funeral will be conducted Saturday morning. Owing to the illness of Mr. Kirkman, the funeral exercises will be of a private nature.
The Tennessean, Nashville, TN, Saturday, Dec. 21, 1907, pg 5:
VAN LEER POLK BURIED TODAY
REMAINS REACH HERE THIS MORNING FROM MEMPHIS--REST AT MT. OLIVET.
The remains of Van Leer Polk, who died suddenly in Memphis Thursday afternoon, will reach here this morning from Memphis. The body was expected here Friday night, but the funeral party was unable to complete arrangements in time to leave Memphis earlier than the evening train. Mrs. Polk will accompany the body and also a cousin, Mrs. Lucius E. Burch, who was visiting in Memphis, and Walter Cain. Mrs. Van Leer Kirkman and other relatives will meet them at the train and they will go directly to Oak Hill, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Kirkman, where the funeral will take place privately, followed by burial at Mt. Olivet. Mr. Polk will be laid beside his grandfather, Anthony Wayne Van Leer, on the Van Leer lot, which is in one of the central locations in the cemetery. Some speculation was indulged in as to whether the body would be taken to the old Polk burial ground, in St. John's Church yard, Maury County, where sleep so many of the connection. But Mr. Polk's parents were both buried in Europe, and only his infant brothers and sisters rest in the old churchyard. Nearly all of the connection have removed from the section, and it was deemed best to lay him in a permanent cemetery, where an equally large number of his kindred are buried. The services will be very brief and simple, consisting merely of the Episcopal burial office. All of his kindred in this section will be present and Mrs. Campbell Brown, of Spring Hill, and Trezevant Yeatman and Miss Jennie Yeatman, of Ashwood, will come to attend.
No further particulars of his death have been learned. So far as his family here knew, he had not known of his heart being affected. He had a slight fainting attack last summer on the train en route to Mt. Pleasant, but it was attributed to the excessive heat, and he suffered no perceptible bad effects. He had been remarkably strong and active, and was of superb physique, giving no outward evidence of being the victim of incurable disease.
Mrs. Kitchens, the mother of Mrs. Polk, was in Chicago visiting another daughter when Mr. Polk died and was telegraphed at once. She arrived Friday night and will return with her daughter to Memphis. Mrs. Kitchen (sic) is with Mrs. Van Leer Kirkman.
Remains Leave Memphis.
MEMPHIS, Dec. 20--(Special.)--The body of Van Leer Polk, who died suddenly on Main street Thursday afternoon, was forwarded tonight at 9 o'clock over the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. Accompanying the remains were Mrs. Polk, wife of the deceased, Walter Cain, a friend of Mr. Polk; W.J. Webster, attorney for the Polk family, and Dr. and Mrs. Lucius Burch, of Nashville. Mrs. Burch is a cousin of the deceased and came to Memphis to meet her husband, who has been attending a National convention of surgeons at New Orleans. She was in the city when Mr. Polk died. The remains will be met at Nashville by Mr. and Mrs. Van Leer Kirkman and other relatives."
Colonel Andrew J. Polk, born August 10, 1824, son of Colonel William Polk, and Sarah (Hawkins) Polk, married Rebecca Van Leer, daughter of Anthony Wayne Van Leer. Three children lived to maturity—viz: 1, Antoinette Van Leer Polk; 2, Anthony Van Leer Polk (unmarried); 3, Rebecca K. Polk (unmarried). Antoinette Van Leer Polk, daughter of Colonel Andrew J ack son Polk and Rebecca (Van Leer) Polk, married Marquis de Cherette. One child: Anthony Van Leer Polk de Cherette. Mrs. Andrew J. - Polk and Miss Polk reside with Madame Cherette, at" Cannes, France. Anthony Van Leer Polk, United States Consul to Calcutta, recently resigned.
https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=fFs-AQAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&pg=GBS.PA60
April 2023 - received this update from FAG Contributor TracyL (47141011) with some added info:
" I found these articles and thought you might life to post them. Among other things, they show that Van Leer Polk was married at the time of his death. I suspect that the reference you have stating he was unmarried (the link posted to the American Historical Magazine) was published before his marriage, and that information was just copied and repeated. I would be interested in what you think about that.
from The Tennessean, Nashville, TN, Friday, Dec. 20, 1907, pg 1:
VAN LEER POLK STRICKEN DEAD
On a Street in Business District in Memphis.
OF DISTINGUISHED FAMILY.
Grand Nephew of Former President--Remains Reach Here This Morning and Funeral of Private Nature Occurs Saturday From Home of V.L. Kirkman
MEMPHIS, Tenn., Dec. 19.--(Special)--Hon. Van Leer Polk, formerly of Nashville, was stricken with heart failure at 4:45 o'clock this afternoon while crossing Main street near Court Square, in company with his wife. Before an ambulance could reach the scene Mr. Polk had expired. Mr. and Mrs. Polk were crossing Main street, when they were halted by a passing car. While waiting he swooned and fell to the ground. A large crowd gathered, thinking an accident had occurred. Dr. W.S.A. Castels and Dr. G.B. Thornton, among them, who administered to the stricken man, but he expired before the ambulance arrived.
W.J. Webster, of Columbia, attorney for the family, was notified and immediately left for Memphis in an automobile and will accompany the body to Nashville tomorrow. Walter Cain and Mrs. Polk will also accompany the remains.
Mr. Polk came to Memphis several weeks ago, and at the time of his death was editor of the Weekly News-Scimitar. His death came as a profound shock to the community as well as the entire State, as he was a man of national and international fame, having served the diplomatic service and spending many years of his life abroad.
(By Associated Press.)
(same page)
MEMPHIS, Tenn., Dec. 19.--Van Leer Polk, grandnephew of former President Polk, and a member of one of the most distinguished families of this State, died suddenly here late today, the result of an attack of heart disease. Mr. Polk became ill while crossing a thoroughfare in the business section of the city in company with his wife, and died in a few minutes.
At the time of his death, Mr. Polk was engaged in newspaper work, being attached to the News-Scimitar, of Memphis, in an editorial capacity. During the last Democratic National Administration he served as Consul General to Calcutta. His remains will be taken to his home near Nashville, Tenn., tomorrow to be interred.
++++++
The report has reached Nashville of the sudden death of Hon. Van Leer Polk, one of Tennessee's well-known journalists, which occurred in Memphis Thursday afternoon. Several weeks ago Mr. Polk assumed the editorship of the Weekly News-Scimitar, and was serving in that capacity at the time of his death.
During the day Thursday and previous to that time Mr. Polk was enjoying excellent health. He dropped dead of heart trouble while walking along the street in company with his wife.
The news of Mr. Polk's death was quite a shock to his many friends and acquaintances in Nashville. For a number of years he was associated with various newspapers in Nashville, at one time being the editor of the Nashville Daily News. Mr. Polk was born near Columbia, Tenn., about 52 years ago, and was the son onf Andrew J. and Rebecca Van Leer Polk. He served in the State Senate of Tennessee, and was one of the most prominent members and assiduous workers in that body. Later he was appointed Consul General to Calcutta by President Cleveland, and filled the position with honor. He led a rather ubiquitous life, and although he claimed Tennessee as his home, his work carried him to all parts of the world. Mr. Polk founded and conducted Polk's Weekly, and when the Nashville Daily News was founded he was called to the editorial chair. Mr. Polk accompanied Secretary Root to South America as a member of the United States delegation to the Pan American Congress.
About one year ago Mr. Polk was married to Mrs. Dorothy Bodine, of New York, and she, together with his two sisters, Baroness de Charette, of France, and Miss Rebecca Polk, survive him.
The remains will arrive from Memphis tonight and will be conveyed to the home of his cousin, Van L. Kirkman, from whence the funeral will be conducted Saturday morning. Owing to the illness of Mr. Kirkman, the funeral exercises will be of a private nature.
The Tennessean, Nashville, TN, Saturday, Dec. 21, 1907, pg 5:
VAN LEER POLK BURIED TODAY
REMAINS REACH HERE THIS MORNING FROM MEMPHIS--REST AT MT. OLIVET.
The remains of Van Leer Polk, who died suddenly in Memphis Thursday afternoon, will reach here this morning from Memphis. The body was expected here Friday night, but the funeral party was unable to complete arrangements in time to leave Memphis earlier than the evening train. Mrs. Polk will accompany the body and also a cousin, Mrs. Lucius E. Burch, who was visiting in Memphis, and Walter Cain. Mrs. Van Leer Kirkman and other relatives will meet them at the train and they will go directly to Oak Hill, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Kirkman, where the funeral will take place privately, followed by burial at Mt. Olivet. Mr. Polk will be laid beside his grandfather, Anthony Wayne Van Leer, on the Van Leer lot, which is in one of the central locations in the cemetery. Some speculation was indulged in as to whether the body would be taken to the old Polk burial ground, in St. John's Church yard, Maury County, where sleep so many of the connection. But Mr. Polk's parents were both buried in Europe, and only his infant brothers and sisters rest in the old churchyard. Nearly all of the connection have removed from the section, and it was deemed best to lay him in a permanent cemetery, where an equally large number of his kindred are buried. The services will be very brief and simple, consisting merely of the Episcopal burial office. All of his kindred in this section will be present and Mrs. Campbell Brown, of Spring Hill, and Trezevant Yeatman and Miss Jennie Yeatman, of Ashwood, will come to attend.
No further particulars of his death have been learned. So far as his family here knew, he had not known of his heart being affected. He had a slight fainting attack last summer on the train en route to Mt. Pleasant, but it was attributed to the excessive heat, and he suffered no perceptible bad effects. He had been remarkably strong and active, and was of superb physique, giving no outward evidence of being the victim of incurable disease.
Mrs. Kitchens, the mother of Mrs. Polk, was in Chicago visiting another daughter when Mr. Polk died and was telegraphed at once. She arrived Friday night and will return with her daughter to Memphis. Mrs. Kitchen (sic) is with Mrs. Van Leer Kirkman.
Remains Leave Memphis.
MEMPHIS, Dec. 20--(Special.)--The body of Van Leer Polk, who died suddenly on Main street Thursday afternoon, was forwarded tonight at 9 o'clock over the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. Accompanying the remains were Mrs. Polk, wife of the deceased, Walter Cain, a friend of Mr. Polk; W.J. Webster, attorney for the Polk family, and Dr. and Mrs. Lucius Burch, of Nashville. Mrs. Burch is a cousin of the deceased and came to Memphis to meet her husband, who has been attending a National convention of surgeons at New Orleans. She was in the city when Mr. Polk died. The remains will be met at Nashville by Mr. and Mrs. Van Leer Kirkman and other relatives."
https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=fFs-AQAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&pg=GBS.PA60
April 2023 - received this update from FAG Contributor TracyL (47141011) with some added info:
" I found these articles and thought you might life to post them. Among other things, they show that Van Leer Polk was married at the time of his death. I suspect that the reference you have stating he was unmarried (the link posted to the American Historical Magazine) was published before his marriage, and that information was just copied and repeated. I would be interested in what you think about that.
from The Tennessean, Nashville, TN, Friday, Dec. 20, 1907, pg 1:
VAN LEER POLK STRICKEN DEAD
On a Street in Business District in Memphis.
OF DISTINGUISHED FAMILY.
Grand Nephew of Former President--Remains Reach Here This Morning and Funeral of Private Nature Occurs Saturday From Home of V.L. Kirkman
MEMPHIS, Tenn., Dec. 19.--(Special)--Hon. Van Leer Polk, formerly of Nashville, was stricken with heart failure at 4:45 o'clock this afternoon while crossing Main street near Court Square, in company with his wife. Before an ambulance could reach the scene Mr. Polk had expired. Mr. and Mrs. Polk were crossing Main street, when they were halted by a passing car. While waiting he swooned and fell to the ground. A large crowd gathered, thinking an accident had occurred. Dr. W.S.A. Castels and Dr. G.B. Thornton, among them, who administered to the stricken man, but he expired before the ambulance arrived.
W.J. Webster, of Columbia, attorney for the family, was notified and immediately left for Memphis in an automobile and will accompany the body to Nashville tomorrow. Walter Cain and Mrs. Polk will also accompany the remains.
Mr. Polk came to Memphis several weeks ago, and at the time of his death was editor of the Weekly News-Scimitar. His death came as a profound shock to the community as well as the entire State, as he was a man of national and international fame, having served the diplomatic service and spending many years of his life abroad.
(By Associated Press.)
(same page)
MEMPHIS, Tenn., Dec. 19.--Van Leer Polk, grandnephew of former President Polk, and a member of one of the most distinguished families of this State, died suddenly here late today, the result of an attack of heart disease. Mr. Polk became ill while crossing a thoroughfare in the business section of the city in company with his wife, and died in a few minutes.
At the time of his death, Mr. Polk was engaged in newspaper work, being attached to the News-Scimitar, of Memphis, in an editorial capacity. During the last Democratic National Administration he served as Consul General to Calcutta. His remains will be taken to his home near Nashville, Tenn., tomorrow to be interred.
++++++
The report has reached Nashville of the sudden death of Hon. Van Leer Polk, one of Tennessee's well-known journalists, which occurred in Memphis Thursday afternoon. Several weeks ago Mr. Polk assumed the editorship of the Weekly News-Scimitar, and was serving in that capacity at the time of his death.
During the day Thursday and previous to that time Mr. Polk was enjoying excellent health. He dropped dead of heart trouble while walking along the street in company with his wife.
The news of Mr. Polk's death was quite a shock to his many friends and acquaintances in Nashville. For a number of years he was associated with various newspapers in Nashville, at one time being the editor of the Nashville Daily News. Mr. Polk was born near Columbia, Tenn., about 52 years ago, and was the son onf Andrew J. and Rebecca Van Leer Polk. He served in the State Senate of Tennessee, and was one of the most prominent members and assiduous workers in that body. Later he was appointed Consul General to Calcutta by President Cleveland, and filled the position with honor. He led a rather ubiquitous life, and although he claimed Tennessee as his home, his work carried him to all parts of the world. Mr. Polk founded and conducted Polk's Weekly, and when the Nashville Daily News was founded he was called to the editorial chair. Mr. Polk accompanied Secretary Root to South America as a member of the United States delegation to the Pan American Congress.
About one year ago Mr. Polk was married to Mrs. Dorothy Bodine, of New York, and she, together with his two sisters, Baroness de Charette, of France, and Miss Rebecca Polk, survive him.
The remains will arrive from Memphis tonight and will be conveyed to the home of his cousin, Van L. Kirkman, from whence the funeral will be conducted Saturday morning. Owing to the illness of Mr. Kirkman, the funeral exercises will be of a private nature.
The Tennessean, Nashville, TN, Saturday, Dec. 21, 1907, pg 5:
VAN LEER POLK BURIED TODAY
REMAINS REACH HERE THIS MORNING FROM MEMPHIS--REST AT MT. OLIVET.
The remains of Van Leer Polk, who died suddenly in Memphis Thursday afternoon, will reach here this morning from Memphis. The body was expected here Friday night, but the funeral party was unable to complete arrangements in time to leave Memphis earlier than the evening train. Mrs. Polk will accompany the body and also a cousin, Mrs. Lucius E. Burch, who was visiting in Memphis, and Walter Cain. Mrs. Van Leer Kirkman and other relatives will meet them at the train and they will go directly to Oak Hill, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Kirkman, where the funeral will take place privately, followed by burial at Mt. Olivet. Mr. Polk will be laid beside his grandfather, Anthony Wayne Van Leer, on the Van Leer lot, which is in one of the central locations in the cemetery. Some speculation was indulged in as to whether the body would be taken to the old Polk burial ground, in St. John's Church yard, Maury County, where sleep so many of the connection. But Mr. Polk's parents were both buried in Europe, and only his infant brothers and sisters rest in the old churchyard. Nearly all of the connection have removed from the section, and it was deemed best to lay him in a permanent cemetery, where an equally large number of his kindred are buried. The services will be very brief and simple, consisting merely of the Episcopal burial office. All of his kindred in this section will be present and Mrs. Campbell Brown, of Spring Hill, and Trezevant Yeatman and Miss Jennie Yeatman, of Ashwood, will come to attend.
No further particulars of his death have been learned. So far as his family here knew, he had not known of his heart being affected. He had a slight fainting attack last summer on the train en route to Mt. Pleasant, but it was attributed to the excessive heat, and he suffered no perceptible bad effects. He had been remarkably strong and active, and was of superb physique, giving no outward evidence of being the victim of incurable disease.
Mrs. Kitchens, the mother of Mrs. Polk, was in Chicago visiting another daughter when Mr. Polk died and was telegraphed at once. She arrived Friday night and will return with her daughter to Memphis. Mrs. Kitchen (sic) is with Mrs. Van Leer Kirkman.
Remains Leave Memphis.
MEMPHIS, Dec. 20--(Special.)--The body of Van Leer Polk, who died suddenly on Main street Thursday afternoon, was forwarded tonight at 9 o'clock over the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. Accompanying the remains were Mrs. Polk, wife of the deceased, Walter Cain, a friend of Mr. Polk; W.J. Webster, attorney for the Polk family, and Dr. and Mrs. Lucius Burch, of Nashville. Mrs. Burch is a cousin of the deceased and came to Memphis to meet her husband, who has been attending a National convention of surgeons at New Orleans. She was in the city when Mr. Polk died. The remains will be met at Nashville by Mr. and Mrs. Van Leer Kirkman and other relatives."
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