LENOIR COUNTY, NC - Obit. - W. F. Stanley, 1911

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Obituary from "the Kinston Free Press", Kinston, N.C., Saturday
May 20, 1911, ( Vol. XXX1, No. 6, Price FiveCents. Published Twice a
week, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.)

Mr. W. F. Stanley Passes

Well-Known and Prominent Citzen of the City Died Wednesday Evening of
Chronic LaGrippe

Mr. W. F. Stanley, a well-known citizen and former mayor of this city,
died at his home on Bright street Wednesday evening at 6:30 o'clock
after a lingering illness of chronic lagrippe. The funeral took place
Thursday afternoon at 5 o'clock and internment will be made in Maplewood
cemetery. Rev. J.H. Griffith will conduct the service. Mr. Stanley is
survived by his wife and one son, Mr. Harold D. Stanley. The following
tribute to his memory is from the pen of his lifelong friend Dr. John A.
Pollock:

In Memoriam
After an illness of several weeks of chronic lagrippe, ex-Mayor Wm. F.
Stanley has been called away and is now at rest.
Born in Jones County, September 1844, came to Kinston soon after the
death of his parents; made Kinston his home, was educated at the old
academy, and later attended the schools at Hillsboro.
He was of a historic family, and as a citizen and soldier, he met the
inevitable events of life, calmly and creditably.
At the call for volunteers for the defense of the south, Stanley, but a
stripling, promptly responded. When the fight was on at New Bern,
Stanley, in Fort Anderson, was among the last to leave the guns.
In the battles against Sherman in Georgia, and at Fort Fisher, Stanley
displayed courage and judgement. When the federals landed near the fort,
Stanley led the charge and drove them back under the protection of their
ironclads. During the murderous bombardment he fought his guns and
surrendered after the fort was rent and torn by shot and shell, and when
wounded and bleeding, Sergt. Nick Hunter said, "Stanley objected to
giving up the fort, and begged to not lower the flag.---"Boys, don't
lower the flag!"" When the surrender was made, he broke his sword and
threw it into the sea. Coming back from prison, he soon married Miss
Nannie Coward, and after her death married Mrs. Elizabeth Aldridge
Tilghman.
In manner he was modest, and deferential; in disposition constant,
aspiring and given to hospitality; in the way of fairness and truth one
might say of him, "Dare make a sounder man than Surry can be." He became
an extensive merchant, was elected mayor several terms, and the town
clock will always be in a (can't read next few words) and interest for
the convenience of the public in general. In politics a Democrat, in
religion a Baptist. The good of Kinston and the community at large was
ever dear to his innermost nature.
The charm of the man was his innate fearlessness and an earnest
sympathy.
In the hours of danger and peril in sickness and in death, he was like
unto the brave, the chivalrous Frank Cox, ever ready to take time, to
give timely advice and stand steadily by his friend in need.
No man that is a man, can repress the cry of the soul, at the loss of a
life-long friend.
Good-bye great heart, dear old comrade, we will meet again, where the
morning stars are shining, dear old schoolmate of the long ago--all
hail--farewell; until that time cometh when the shadows shall flee away,
yea, when the everlasting day - dawn of foreverness appeareth.
Lead gently, Father God, as he passes over the bar. Now in the saddened
fullness of time, now at the natural ending of eracibled friendship,
unbroken seven and fifty years.
I feel inspelled to stand and say----
"This cold earth, that bears the dead body of Stanley,
Bears not alive a stouter gentlemen."
JOHN A. POLLOCK

[Note: Information on Wm Franklin Stanley's death certificate lists his
parents as Wright Stanley of Jones Co. N.C. and Sarah Becton. His age is
listed as 67, born in 1844. Certificate No. is 291 (stamped in upper
right corner of certificate).]