Elizabeth Langstroth Drexel (abt. 1855 - 1890)

Born about 1855 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Ancestors

Wife of Walter George Smith — married [date unknown] in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Died 26 Sep 1890 at about age 35 in Torresdale, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

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Biography

Elizabeth Langstroth Drexel was born about 1855 in Philadelphia, PA, daughter of Francis Anthony Drexel (1824–1885) and Hannah Jane Langstroth (1826–1858).

In the 1880 census Elezabeth (age 24), At Home, was the single daughter of Francis Drexel in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.^[1]

Elizabeth married Walter George Smith (born in 1855) in Philadelphia in approximately early 1890. Her 1889 wedding announcement read as follows: " Miss Elizabeth Langstroth Drexel, one of the three daughters of Francis A. Drexel, is to be married in the coming year to Walter George Smith, son of the late Gen. Thomas Kirby Smith, who was distinguished in the late war. Mr. Smith is about 33 years of age, and a lawyer of good reputation. He has been a companion of Miss Drexel since childhood, their homes in Torresdale adjoining. Both are members of the Roman Catholic Church in Eddington. All of Mr. Drexel's daughters will be settled for life when Miss Drexel marries. Her sister Katharine entered the Sisters of Mercy at Pittsburgh, and her half sister Louise married Edward Morrell last January. "^[2]

Elizabeth died of complications of pregnancy on September 26, 1890, aged 34. Her obituary read as follows: "Mrs. Elizabeth Drexel, wife of George W. Smith, who's death was announced yesterday, was the oldest daughter of the late Francis A. Drexel. She died Friday evening of puerperal convulsions, at "St. Michael's", the family homestead, at Torresdale. The funeral is strictly private, the interment taking place in the burying ground of Eden Hall Convent, Torresdale, where both parents of the deceased are buried. Mrs. Smith, to whom with her sisters, Miss Kate Drexel and Mrs. E. DeV. Morrell, was left a fortune of 15 million dollars, was married last January, and after a wedding tour through the south, went abroad with her husband. They returned and established themselves in their beautiful home in Torresdale." ^[3]

"Last Thursday evening Mrs. Smith was taken very ill. Dr. Wymer, a physician residing in the neighborhood, was called in, and remained in the house all that night. In the morning Dr. Jacob M. DaCosta and Dr. Theophillus Parvin were called in consultation. The Caesarian operation was performed in the hope of at least saving the life of the baby, but, unhappily without success. Archbishop Ryan was present at the lady's death bed, and Anthony J. Drexel, A.J. Drexel Jr., George W. Childs, Father Vandegrift and the Messrs. Bouvier, of New York, hastened to Torresdale as soon as they learned the melancholy news by Telegraph. The benefactions of Mrs. Smith and her sisters are too well known to require further comment." ^[4]

Sources

1. ↑ 1880 Census: "1880 United States Federal Census"
   Year: 1880; Census Place: Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Roll: 1182; Page: 3B; Enumeration District: 460
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 6742 #420298
   Elezabeth Drexel (24), single daughter, At Home, in household of Francis Drexel (56) in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Born in Pennsylvania.
2. ↑ Evening Star (Washington DC), November 12 1889
3. ↑ Philadelphia Inquirer, September 28, 1890
4. ↑ Philadelphia Inquirer, September 28, 1890

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Anthony_Drexel