Aged Watchmaker Dies Leaving Fortune with Guardian; Lived Alone. . . John C. Loeffler Found Dead in His Room Over Durham Sport Shop. . . 95 Years Old. . . He came to America from Germany More than 40 Years Ago. . . Willis are Missing. . . Local Attorney Says That He Drew Up Two Wills for Deceased—Estate May Go to University of North Carolina
Leaving the savings of a lifetime, an estate estimated by his guardian at $10,000, John G. Loeffler, Durham’s eccentric watchmaker, died suddenly Wednesday morning. The exact hour of Mr. Loeffler’s death is unknown. He was dead when Mrs. L.D. Huckabee, his nurse for the past several months, entered his room on the second floor of the building occupied by the Durham Sport shop. His body was warm, and Dr. J.M. Manning, the attending physician, said that he could not have been long dead.
Mr. Loeffler’s death, sudden as it was, came as no surprise. For the past two years infirmities caused by his 95 years, and a failing heart, caused physicians to predict that he had but a few years at best. During this two years of illness, Mr. Loeffler, known personally by a comparatively few citizens, but recognized at sight by thousands of people in the city, has needed almost constant medical attention. Several times he has suffered sudden illness, and on such occasions was taken to the Watts hospital. Each time physicians expected the end, but on previous occasions he fought off the attacks, and insisted upon returning to his downtown room. At times his condition was such that he would feel strong enough to work at his trade and on such occasions Sheriff John F. Harward would carry him large trays filled with watches; many of the watches being relics of bygone days. He would keep his curious and impressive array of watches until again stricken and the sheriff would find it necessary to take custody of the property, for safekeeping purposes.
About two years ago, Mr. Loeffler became too feeble in mind and body to constantly protect his property interests. Being acquainted with the situation, Judge W.H. Young, clerk of the superior court, named the Fidelity bank as his guardian. Since that time I.W. Bingham, trust officer of the bank, provided the deceased with every necessity of life, and employed Mrs. Huckabee to stay with him each day. At night, however, Mr. Loeffler remained alone. It was as he wished. Mr. Bingham has also made numerous efforts to communicate with possible relatives, but to date no one has been found who claims kindship.
Personal Property
The Loeffler estate is made up principally of personal property. Cash money, U.S. treasury bonds, small articles of jewelry, a few small stones and a large number of gold and silver watches. The deceased owned real estate. Some years ago when his health started failing, he talked with friends about buying a home, but illness prevented the investment.
If Mr. Loeffler had kinsmen, they are uncommunicative. So far as anyone knows he never had a visitor from out of town during the 38 or 40 years that he lived in Durham. Several acquaintances of the eccentric watchmaker recall having heard him mention his mother and a sister. He was reticent, however, in talking about his early life, and his most intimate acquaintances recall nothing that might give a clue in seeking out relatives. Some acquaintances say that Mr. Loeffler told them he was without relatives.
The Loeffler estate, it is said, will be settled by the guardian in the same manner as other estates. The personal property, not already in money, will be converted into cash. According to law, the money is to remain the custody of the clerk of the superior court for a period of at least seven years. Afterwards, if no demand has been made by legitimate heirs, the money will be turned over to the use of the University of North Carolina.
Lived in Albany
Acquaintances of the deceased watchmaker do not know when he landed in America. W.G. Frazier, a local jeweler, is confident that he first located in Albany, N.Y. He afterwards went to Panama to work, and came to Durham from Panama. Mr. Loeffler, originally worked with a jewelry store operated by a Mr. Postley. Afterwards he worked for S.M. Snider, and concluded his career as an employe by working for the late M.H. Jones. After leaving employment at Mr. Jones’ store, Mr. Loeffler opened a watch repair shop. He operated his modest business in an eccentric manner. Many people carried repair work to him, and according to local jewelers and watchmakers, he was a good workman.
Apart and Alone
The aged watchmaker lived apart and alone. He usually had sleeping quarters connected with his watch repair shop. Sometimes he ate at the cafes, but usually prepared his meals in his room. B.W. Hobgood, who formerly operated a shoe store in Durham, and rented a small portion of the front of his building to Mr. Loeffler, claims to have been fairly intimate with the watchmaker. Mr. Loeffler often spoke of his mother and a sister. Mr. Hobgood also remembers that the aged man tried to communicate with his relatives several times, but never heard from them. Sheriff John F. Harward, who did a great deal during recent years to help make the aged man comfortable, had some knowledge of his life. Sheriff Harward says that Mr. Loeffler often spoke of a girl in Germany to whom he was engaged, but who for some reason never married the deceased.
Made Two Wills
Alton Hobgood, local attorney, recalls having written two wills for Mr. Loeffler. The first will, Mr. Hobgood says, was recorded. Afterwards Mr. Loeffler desired to change this will, and another one was written. Mr. Hobgood doesn’t know whether the will was recorded or what became of it. So far neither will has been found. Mr. Hobgood says that in the first will the aged man left a sum of money to a Durham girl, whom he had assisted with an education. He also willed $5,000 to his sister, whose name was given as Josephine S. Waldvogel of Guertenbach, Baden, Germany. The will continued a bequest for a woman in Scotland. The Durham girl, the attorney states, was a Miss Brock. Miss Brock married after the first will was written, and in the second will written during the past years Mr. Loeffler either reduced the bequest made to her, or eliminated it entirely. Mr. Hobgood does not recall exact details of bequests in the document.
Purchased Bonds
When the United States entered the world war, Mr. Loeffler took very little apparent interest. He read the papers thoroughly, however, and often expressed the view that Germany would win. Committeemen engaged in selling Liberty bonds called on the watchmaker and asked him to buy. He sent the committeemen to Mr. Hobgood, who in turn called upon the watchmaker. Mr. Hobgood, stated Wednesday night that while the deceased was not enthusiastic about buying the bonds, he took them on his advice. Before the war ended Mr. Loeffler had $5,000 worth of Liberty bonds and $1,000 worth of War Savings stamps. He later converted these into United States bonds. Mr. Loeffler was not a naturalized citizen. He once took out initial papers, but the act was not completed.
Funeral Services
Funeral services for the aged man will be held Thursday afternoon at 3:30 o’clock. The funeral party will leave the Hall-Wynne undertaking establishment at 3:30 o’clock, and the services will be conducted at the grave in Maplewood cemetery. Dr. D.H. Scanlon, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, will be in charge. The pallbearers will be: J.F. Harward, L.G. Cole, C.W. Chesnutt, Fred Roll, M.G. Markham, and S.B. Burch.
From page 6 of the Durham Morning Herald, Thursday, Dec. 18, 1924
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