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- WILLIAM R. BOX
DIES IN WATERTOWN
Native of Pulaski Where He Spent His Early Life
Watertown Times, Feb 10.:
William Richard Box, a prominent resident of this city for more than 30 years and the proprietor of one of the best known undertaldng establishments in the city for that length of time, died at his home, 231 Paddock street, at 3:30 this morning after a long illness from heart trouble.
Although Mr. Box had been seriously ill with heart disease since last September his condition had improved to the extent that members of his family had held hopes for his recovery and his death came suddenly and unexpected. He was up and around his house Monday and the day before was down stairs for his dinner. His condition remained in an encouraging state until Monday afternoon when he suffered a severe heart attack and from that time he gradually grew weaker until death came at 3:30 this morning.
He had been the victim of serious heart trouble for several years and his last illness, began on. Sept, 22 when he suffered a severe heart attack and his condition became critical and it was thought for some time, he could not recover. He was admitted to the House of the, Good Samaritan on Oct. 25 where he remained as a patient until Dec, 14. During the time that he was at the hospital his condition became so critical that a blood transfusion was performed on Nov. 15 in an attempt to improve his condition.
He became strong enough to leave the hospital on Dec. 14 and was then removed to his home on Paddock street, where he gradually improved but during that time he suffered some severe heart attacks. He was taken back to the House of the Good Samaritan on Jan. 7 and was again discharged on Jan. 12. Since that time he had steadily improved and had been able to be about the house and on at least one occasion had been out riding in his car. He remained about the same until he suffered the severe attack Monday afternoon.
William R. Box was born in Pulaski, July 18, 1871, a son of Ricbard and' the late Jeanette Bennett Box. His father survives him and is now a resident of Pulaski. His mother's death occured last November.
He started in the undertaking business with his father who for many years operated an undertaking and furnishing establishment in Pulaski. He spent his early life there and was graduated from the Pulaski High School.
He was married June 26, 1894 to Miss Nina Dodge. The wedding which was the culmination of a school day romance took place in Pulaski. About the year 1894, he came to Watertown and went in the undertaking business with J. W. Empy.
The firm was known as Empy and Box and the place of business was conducted on Court street at the present location of the Lince furniture company. Mr. Box later purchased Mr. Empy's share of the business and operated the business alone for several years. He later took a man named Donaldson in business with him and the firm became known as Box and Donaldson until Mr. Box retired. He retired from active business for a period of about two or three years and then started in the business for himself and opened his rooms at their present location at 161 Stone street where he had since maintained his business.
In August, 1919, Mr. Box purchased the Lebovsky residence at 231 Paddock street and moyed from his former residence ijn Stone street to his new residence on Paddock streetwhere he had since lived. After his removal to his Paddock street, home he still kept the Stone street residence as a business place.
Mr. Box was a member of Pulaski Lodge, No. 415, F. & A.M. and of Pulaski chapter, No. 579, R. A, 3VT. and of Watertown Commandery, No. 11, Knight Templars and Media Temple, A.A, O.N.M.S., and of Watertown City lodge No. 91, I.O.O.F. He was also a member of the Black River Valley club, the Watertown chamber of commerce, the Crescent Yacht club the Jefferson County Golf club and, several other Tntinieipal- and social organisations.
He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Nina Dodge Box of this city, a daughter, Mrs. Frederick W. McKown, of Englewood, N.J., and a granddaughter, Alice Campbell McKown. He also "ifayes his father, Richard W. Box of Pulaski, and two brothers, Frederick F. Box of Skaneateles and Albert K. Box of Pulaski.
The funeral service was held privately from the home on Paddock street, Friday morning at 11 Rev. Darwin F. Pickard, pastor of the First Presbyterian church of which Mr. Box was a member and a trustee, officiated.
The bearers at the services were Albert Otis, William Alien, Frederick F Bugbee and Frederick MacKown, a son-in-law of Mr Box. The body was taken to Pulaski on the 2:05 train Friday afternoon for interment in the Pulaski cemetery
Source: The Pulaski Democrat, Feb 18, 1925
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