Nathan R. Croom Dead — Aged Confederate Veteran Died on Memorial at His Home in Currie
On Memorial Day, when our southern cities were doing honor to the memory of our Confederate soldiers, Mr. Nathan Richard CROOM, and old Confederate veteran passed away at his home on Moore’s Creek. He had been in declining health for about ten months, only being confined to his bed for a period of three weeks. He served his county as a soldier in the war of the sixties; he served his country as a magistrate for many years and served his church – and Sunday school as a modest, faith abiding christian. He was a kind husband, an indulgent father and a helpful, thoughtful neighbor. On March 3, 1920 he passed the 76th milestone of life. On April 26th fifty years ago, he married Miss Mary HENRY, of Brunswick county, who with eleven children and twenty-five grandchildren survive him. In the fifty years of married life this is the first link of the chain of life to be broken. Mr. CROOM was fond of attending the annual reunions of the old soldiers, and always did so when in reach, and today he has entered the everlasting reunion with his old comrades gone before. We laid him away in his suit of gray, and his badge of honor beside him. May his lesson of life be a blessing and good influence to all who knew him. He never wavered in his duty, was jovial and happy at all times; he never complained, always replied to friends inquiring of his health in a most cheerful way, and during these last three of intense suffering he always looked to God for help and comfort. He died as he had lived, trusting his heavenly Father and a brave soldier of the cross. Peace to his ashes.
Source: Pender Chronicle [Burgaw, NC]; 13 May 1920.