Jesse Smull Family: John Francis Smull, DDS

JESSE SMULL > CHARLES GEORGE SMULL m Lydia Rebecca Francis > JOHN FRANCIS SMULL, DDS

2544 W Lehigh Ave where the laundromat is currently
was the Smull family home for two generations
Imagine it what it might have looked like 100 years ago

Jesse Smull was one of the Brothers Smull of Bush Valley, Centre County, Pennsylvania. He and his wife Mary Bergey had several children. Their oldest boy was Charles B Smull who was born 20 Oct 1840. He married Lydia Rebecca Francis, who was born 06 Apr 1849 in Chester, Pennsylvania, the daughter of John and Elizabeth DeFrain Francis.

They had two boys. John Francis, born 19 Apr 1874 in Philadelphia and Harry, who died at seven months old in 1873, who was born in Spring City, Chester County. In 1880, Charles was listed as a "provisions dealer," Charles was a "provisions dealer" and partner with Levi Shengle (and possibly with brother Jesse Jr., who in 1880 was also a "provisions dealer." He also boarded with the Shengle's in 1900) in Shengle & Smull, located at 255 N 12th St in Philadelphia at the corner of Vine and N. 12th. That business appears to have operated from the mid 1880s-before 1910. In 1910, Charles as listed as a "solicitor" in the publishing industry.I would surmise that means an advertising solicitor rather than an attorney. The family lived at 2544 W Lehigh Ave.

John Francis was educated at the Philadelphia Central High School and Penn College of Dental Surgery, graduating in 1895.He married Ruth Esther Bankes, daughter of Peter and Mary Whetstone Bankes. They had one child, Ethel Frances, born 24 May 1909.

John was active in the national Dental Association of Dental Surgeons, 32nd degree Mason, Old Guard, City of Philadelphia; Sons of Veterans, Patriotic Order of the Sons of America, IOOF, Knights of Pythias, Fraternal Order of the Eagles, Independent Order of America, Brotherhood of America, He was a retired Major in the National Guard of Pennsylvania, attached to the 3rd Infantry Regiment.

He died, "suddenly," at his home on 23 Nov 1922 at the family's home on Lehigh Ave. His death certificate said he died of a stab wound to his heart, self-inflicted.This is supported by the news item published after his death that states he committed "hari-kari."  The funeral was held the following Monday morning at the David H. Schuyler Building at Broad and Diamond Sts. His widow Ruth survived until 19 Mar 1957.