The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-06-03
sss- THE FRIENDS AND AGouAINT-
Obltunrn.
In NIcmoriam.

TOWNSEND-Dle ut Jacksonville. Florida,
MAY 90 1910, SAMUEL ]. TOWNSEND, Esq, uf Ben-
nettsville South Carolina
The deceased was born il! Marlboro District,
South Carolina in SepteEi,,er. A. p. 1926, being
Ihe fourth son of Jablsh ami Elizabeth Townsend.
He came Of excellent parcn;aSc. His father anu
mothe: were both noted for superior ntelli2ence.
good sense and virtue. ana were connected w!th
tba best families OF Marlboro. Their children.
without an execution, have given evidence OF the
same endowmcnts, and. with greater educational
advantages, have made themselves iSelui ana
prominent citizens Of Marlboro and elsewhere.
The subject OF this sketch. in early life, erlnced
n thirst for knowledge, and suffered no obstacle
to deter MIN from its pursuit.. By perseverance
he fitted himself for college. and. IN 1877, entered
South Carolina College, then In It's hacyon days
under the brilliant administration Of Its able
president, the Hon. William c. Preston. After
,diligent application, he graduated honoraDly IN IN
training he acqulreda love aud habit OF study
Which conduced much to his subsequent disiinc-
ton. For a year or two after graduating he devo'
ted his time TO the instruction OF youtn anu 10
general study, believing reasonable time spent
In the acquisition OF knowledge to be highly desi-
rable and essential before entering upon Ills
chosen profession. -
Having finished this preparatory STEP lie re-
sorted 70 the study of the law, and became an in
cessaut and indefatigaDle student OF that probes
sion. In 1864 he received his license as lawyer
10 practice In the Courts OF South Carolina, and
in the same year was married 70 Maria Louisa,
daughter of the late D. G.. Joye, OF Charleston. In
A. u. 1857. he was chosen Commissioner In Equl-
Nv for Marlboro, and filed that important and
responsible Office with great ability. giving gene.
raj satisfaction to the public. until 1866, when lie
voluntarily left the same to devote himself eX-
cuslyey to the practice OF law, his business hav-
ing greatly accumulated upon his hands. or his
senior contemporaries a. the Bar, some had died.
others had retired TO agrcu.intal pursuits anu o
that he found himself left 10 bear the burden OF
the business OF the county. as the senior member
of the local Bar His position made him guide
and IN example to his junior associates, WHO haa
no occasion to regret his leadership.
In 1866 he was chosen by the citizens OF Mari.
boro' TO represent them In the popular branch OF
tile General Assembly TO Ill the uneXpired term
OF the Hon. ]. e. Weatherly, who was promoted 70
the State Senate as successor to the Hon. W. d.
Johnson. then called TO the chanCery Dencn. IN thl5
responsible position lie displayed the same untir-
ing Industry and zeal which characterized him IN
every previous station In life. He was an able,
useful and faithful servant 10 his constituents,
aud gave a good account OF his stewardship. But
public life he did not court. the business Oh law
yer being greatly more congen!al TO MS mind;
And though afterwards excluded from political
preferment by the disabling acts OF Congress,
vet IL Is fact well known to his immediate aSso-
ciates that had the way been left open to him, lie
would not have sought office again at the llanos
OF his people, because Of his fondness LOT Ills pro-
fession.
Gladly would we, did our own limits permit
give an extended view OF his life anu character.
snu oUa sna sep 5ant Sy but sace 10 his
noble qualities OF head and heart cannot De done
in the brief space Of n: obituary notice. lie WAS
a ldtrper. which IS enough to say o! man In our
country, where the word means more tlian ln
England For here, IL implies knowledge OF the
common, the civil. natural. admiralty ann stat
ute laws; it means al advocate. q counsellor, at,
torney, solicitor and scriyener. The orcautn anu
leptli OF knowledge, the extent OF reading ana
diversity OF requirements requisite TO make sue
cessful lawyer In this country have always Deen
greater than In England, where. separated INTO
classes. each with Its sphere vel! defined he pro
lession enjoy the benefit OF division OF labor,
which brings great relief and makes success, IN
any one branch. so much easier. IN the CHOICE
OF q profession. lie was fortunate. POSSESS.
ing a mind strictly legal. he was devoteu 90
his calling, and aspired to become MoFo,t9h
Jaeger. when overtaken By disease he was
rapidly realizing the acme OF his hopes anu am.
billion. lie was strong advocate wleiilne great
influence with jury; but his great strength was
in his inlomitable zeal, courage tact Nln sk!iI
I'm The management of q cause from It's origin 10
its termination. No client ever haa oCcaslon W
reproach him with neglect, lack o! zea!. OF @aiit
OF skill In the management OF ms cause. ne gaIc
full satisfaction TO the su:Or. HIS reputation as
a LAWYER was established on firm foundation.
and ordinarily his cnunsel and ADVICE Was nrsl
sought In all difficult and intricate causes
arising in this county His Industry anu toh
became contagious and forced his c0mpeers 10
labor when otherwise they may have been idle.
Ills activity Of mind was too great for his deli.
cate Frame and disease, aggravated 10y severe
application, cut him down 10 tue prime Oh .,5, NE
While In the full tide Of success. He was anable
and polite. kind. generous and benevolent, gllted
with a genuine, uupretending hospitality, ana
genial, social disposition. Few men had SO strong
hold upon the affections Of ie psop ne
uucS. Sagaclous, practical and public.spirited.
But short time ago, yielding with reluctance
O the adrIce of physicians and friends, nc sougnt
relief in the mild climate and balmY atmosphere
of Florida, but unfortunately too late.
The sad intelligence of Ls death ~ has spseaa
ful man has gone; and the rich, the poor high
unite in OF sympathy T tn
him In his Inst suffering, and We invoke Heaven g
blessings upon her and her little ones in their be-
reayement His remains were buried IN Magno'
la Cemetery, in Charleston, s. C., May ., 1870:
Before death he professed faith In Christ and
hecame member Of the Presbyterian Church:
May he rest In peace. reposlng on the oosom oi
his Saviour :,
Bennettsville, S. c., May %, 1870. II.