The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1871-09-21
OBITUARY.

DIED, ut his residence, Mount Hope, on
Santco river, on the 24th of June, 1871, Mr..
JOHN a. HEELS, well known and highly
respected citizen of Williamsburg county, S. c.
lie had for some years been in delicate health,
but up to within few months of his death, was
able to attend to his customary duties. OF Mr..
Kcels it may be said, that while he was un-
pretending i'll manner, he was firm and earnest
in his convictions, striving always to maintain
right and justice. He served his county in the
Legislature, and in many ways his clear judg-a
mcnt and Conscientious nature enabled him to,
serve his fellow citizens acceptably, and, at the
same time, with credit to himself. A promi-
nent lawyer, formerly of his county, but now
residing in distant State, on hearing of his
death wrote as follows: "In all the relations
of life, he fully merited the confidence reposed
in him by his friends. have closely observed
his conduct Christian, and we'll might it
and behold the perfect He served his Master
faithfully, and feel well assured that he has
entered into the rest that 'rcmaineth for the
people of Cod" We need add no more to this
testimony, for kind words have no power 10
reach and soothe the dull ear of death. He
sleeps quietly now, and gradually sank to his
grave watched and comtorted, daily and hour
ly, by wife whose devotion moro than
noble-almost more than human. With self
sacrifice and love which forgot everything else,
she clung to him, and denied herself rest, or
concern for her own fast failing strength. After:
his death, she started with her children for her
old home, near Pendleton. The task was too
great and under brothers roof, and in spite
of his faithful and loving treatment, Mrs.
Martha p. Kecls lay down to die. On the 10th
of August, 1871, her weary spirit took its flight
to that bright 'land beyond the river" where
we confidently hope she has rejoined her hus-
band, and together they arc waiting for their
loved ones. This is not the place to enter into
any extended sketch OF her life beautiful and
Christian life as it was, and we must cOntine
ourselves to leading facts.
Mrs. Kcels was the fifth daughter of the late
Capt John Maxwell. Her youth was spent
under every advantage being surrounded by
lovely family, and thrown into constant associ-
alton with refined Society. No WONDER then,
that when she left her happy home as bride,
the tondest hopes and kindest wishes of wide
circle of trends and relatives followed her.
Some of these have already gone on before
her; many others have lived to see her, Wild
owed and almost broken-hcarted, return to the
scenes of her youth. as if only to evidence that
she was still beautiful and firm in faith and
then to die Both she and her husband wero
members of the Baptist Church, and rs we
cease to speak of this scene of sorrow and of
death, we do SO with the happy and reasonable
hope that both have exchanged the troubles and
inirmties of this earthly life, for the tadeless
joys which attend the spiritual life of "Chrsts
own."
OF Mrs. Keels, q stranger has said: "She was
lady of rare attractions; intelligent, cultiva-
ted and refined, and of great personal beauty
and loveIiness." Those who knew her best,
also best know the truth of this remark. Four
orphan children are left, deprived of fathers
guidance. and of Il mothers care. Kind hands
have laid the mother down to her last rest
amongst her kindred, and kind hearts ,Si,h re-
member and love her Children for her sake.