Rocky Mount, Oct. 14—M.C. Braswell, pioneer tobacconist and prominent farmer, merchant and citizen, of Battleboro, died in a Richmond hospital, where he had been taken for treatment three weeks ago, early this morning. Mr. Braswell, noted for his constructive endeavors and his identification with many businesses and organizations of Eastern Carolina, probably numbered the largest host of acquaintances of any person in this section of the State, and news of his sudden death cast a gloom over the entire community.
While Mr. Braswell had not been in the best of health since suffering an attack of influenza last year, his condition was not regarded as serious and he had been actively engaged in his many business and farming interests up until three weeks ago when he went to a Richmond hospital for treatment. His brother, Dr. M.R. Braswell, of this city, spent yesterday with him in Richmond and returned last night, thinking that his condition was generally improved. From the information available here this morning Mr. Braswell got up about dawn to get a drink of water and collapsed to the floor, dying almost instantly. Mrs. Braswell was with him.
Advices received from Battleboro this afternoon stated that funeral services will be held from the home tomorrow afternoon at 4 o’clock and will be conducted by Rev. F.H. Craighill, rector of the Church of the Good Shepherd, of this city. Interment will take place in the Battleboro cemetery.
In the death of Mr. Braswell Eastern Carolina has lost one of its most constructive citizens. Especially was Mr. Braswell instrumental in building up the tobacco industry in this section. Shortly after returning form school at Carolina he became interested in tobacco as grown in the Danville section. Securing two ounces of seed from a friend in that section he planted the first tobacco in Northeastern Carolina at Battleboro and marked his crop at Danville. Within the next few hears the crop proved such a success and was so rapidly taken up that Mr. Braswell established the first Eastern Carolina market at Battleboro. This market was later moved to Rocky Mount, but never once did Mr. Braswell lose his interest as up until the time of his death he played a most prominent part in boosting tobacco and doing all in his power to aid in its marketing.
In addition to being probably the wealthiest citizen of Northeastern Carolina and having extensive property interests throughout the section, and particularly in this city, the deceased possessed large timber interests in Georgia and Florida, his holdings mounting into the thousands of acres. Besides being a planter on the largest scale he was a leading merchant of the section, operating a big supply store at Battleboro, and held many business interests here. These included vice-presidency of the Planters Bank of Battleboro and the Planters Bank of Battleboro, presidency of the Battleboro Oil Company, membership on the directorship of the North Carolina State Fire Insurance Company, the Underwriter Fire Insurance Company, the Rocky Mount Fair Association, the Rocky Mount Savings and Trust Co., and other business organizations and concerns here. He was also vice-president of the Co-operative Peanut Growers’ Association and chairman of the Battleboro school trustees, as well as part owner of Panacea Springs.
Mr. Braswell, who was 61 years of age, was the oldest son of the late T.P. Braswell of Battleboro. After attending the University of North Carolina, he became associated with his father at Battleboro under the firm name of T.P. Braswell and son. Upon his father’s death he succeeded him in this business, which is now one of the largest supply stores in the State. He married Miss Alice Bryan, member of the prominent Edgecombe county family, who survives him along with four daughters, Misses Mattie Mae, Vivian, Alice Bryan and Elizabeth Braswell, all of Battleboro. In addition two brothers Dr. M.R. Braswell and J.C. Braswell, both prominent citizens of this city, also survive.
With all his diversified interests Mr. Braswell always put his community first and worked unceasingly for its upbuilding. For this reason his loss will be all the more keenly felt by Eastern Carolina.
From the front page of the Raleigh News & Observer, Sunday, Oct. 15, 1922
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