Obituaries of John Silas Pancake
(1846-1916)
Submitted by a descendant who wishes to remain anonymous.
From an obituary from a newspaper of unknown origin, probably a Staunton
Virginia paper.
Looks like two articles put together.
Staunton, February 23. John S. Pancake died very suddenly last night
about eleven o’clock from heart failure caused by an attack of
paralysis.
This news will be a great shock to the many friends of Mr. Pancake in
Staunton and elsewhere. Mr. Pancake was down town attending to his
business as usual all day yesterday and was apparently in his customary
health. He bade his family good night and retired shortly before eleven
o’clock; in a few minutes it was noticed that he was breathing very
heavily and a physician was hurriedly summoned. When Dr. Kenneth
Bradford reached his side, however, Mr. Pancake had already ceased to
breathe.
Mr. Pancake leaves his wife, who was Miss Margaret Gilkeson, and three
children, Mrs. Herbert Smith [born Emily Vance Pancake, Romney, West
Virginia], Miss Elizabeth Pancake [who became Mrs. Charles H. Watt of
Thomasville, GA], and William C. Pancake, all of Staunton.
John Silas Pancake was born near Romney, W. Va., sixty nine years ago on
November 5, last. He removed to Staunton about thirteen years ago, and
with the late Max. W. Mercereau, organized the Valley Tie and Lumber Co.
He retired from this concern some time ago, and began the limber
business of John S. Pancake & Company, which he was still conducting at
the time of his death. Mr. Pancake was also a director in the National
Valley Bank, Vice President of The Gardner Extract Co., President of the
Bellevue Orchards Co., and a director in the Larrimore Barge Company.
Mr. Pancake suffered a stroke of paralysis some time ago, and had been
in failing health for a year and a half. No funeral arrangements have
yet been made.
The funeral of John S. Pancake, who died Tuesday night at his home in
Staunton was held from his late residence on East Main Street yesterday
afternoon at 3:30 o’clock.
The service was conducted by Rev. A. M. Fraser of the first Presbyterian
Church of which Mr. Pancake was an elder.
[list of pallbearers given]
Interment was in Thornrose Cemetery.
Newspaper report from an unidentified newspaper in Staunton, Virginia.
Probably the week after John Silas Pancake’s death, which was Feb. 22,
1916.
Funeral of J.S. Pancake Thursday
John Silas Pancake, one of Staunton’s most substantial and highly
honored citizens, died at 11 o’clock Tuesday night at his home in this
city. His health had been failing for more than a year, but he was at
his office on Tuesday attending to business, and he seemed to be feeling
better than for several days. He had retired for the night, and his
death was very sudden, being caused by heart failure. The funeral will
be held at 3:30 Thursday afternoon from the house, conduced by Dr. A. M.
Fraser. Interment will be in Thornrose.
Native of West Virginia
Mr. Pancake was born on his father’s farm near Romney, West Virginia, on
November 5, 1846, the son of Joseph C. and Ellen D. Pancake, and made
his home there until about 25 years ago, when he moved into Romney and
entered the lumber business, meeting with marked success. On January 16,
1903 he moved to Staunton and with the late Max W. Mercereau, who came
with him from West Virginia, he organized the Valley Tie and Lumber Co.,
which had a prosperous career, and which a few years ago he left to
organize the firm of John S. Pancake & Co., which he conducted to the
time of his death, doing a large business. He was connected with several
other institutions, being a member of the board of the National Valley
Bank, vice president of the Gardner Extract Co., president of the
Bellevue Orchards Co., and a director of the Larrimore Barge Co.
In the civil war, Mr. Pancake served with distinction as a member of the
13th Va. Cavalry, Rossner’s Brigade. He was a member of Stonewall
Jackson Camp of this city, and served a term as commander of the camp.
Man of High Character
Early in life he united with the Presbyterian church of Romney, and when
only about 27 years of age he was elected a ruling elder of that church,
succeeding his father in that capacity, who in turn had succeeded his
father as elder. On moving to Staunton Mr. Pancake united with the First
Presbyterian church, of which he was elected an elder on Dec. 10, 1911,
serving acceptably in that office to his death. On coming to Staunton
Mr. Pancake was at once recognized as a man of force and of high
character, and his influence in financial and business circles, and in
religious circles as well, soon became marked. He was a liberal
contributor to every good cause, and a ready friend to every one in
distress or need. His sympathetic nature drew many friends to him, and
few persons will be more missed or mourned by all classes of citizens.
Surviving Mr. Pancake of his immediate family are Mrs. Pancake, and two
daughters, Mrs. Herbert McKelden Smith and Miss Elizabeth Gilkeson
Pancake, and one son, William C. Pancake, all of Staunton. He leaves
here also a nephew, Campbell Pancake, and in Romney , a brother, Joseph
F., and a sister, Miss Sidney M. Pancake.
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