The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1871-08-31
OBITUARY..

Departed this life at his residence in Kirk
wood, on Sunday, 9th August inst, WILLIAM
E. JOHNSON, in the scvcnly-tith year ul his
age.
A long life of active andbenefGent usefulness
has ended, the more than "thrce score years
and ten have gone to swell the countless cycles
of the past, and we of this old community, who
yet for brief space remain, pause in the rest
less whirl of life, busy and full of care, to pay
a tribute to full-orbed life, 10 recall associa
tions sacred to. many hearts and tecming with
subjects of interest and pride to all who love
tide noble past Of old Camden; to drape in sable
the halls Of the present but to place another
Jewel in memory's bright casket and add anoth-
cr halo to hopes of future association.
Mr.. JOHNSON was a native Of Lancaster dis
trict, that fruitful soil which has given TO Ker-
shaw not only this highest type of its
production but also its Blair and Miller.
Removing to Camden in early life, just ut the
close of the war of 1912, he then became and
ever remained thoroughly identified with its
people and interests The constant companion
and intimate friend of Blanding, Melville,
Withers and all that long list of noble men who
constituted the community of Camden, when its
society was unequulled in the interior of this
State, he moved the peer of all these mobiles,
survived them all, and is the last one to " fall
Il
OF highly nervous organization, of exceed
inply astutc intellect of close habit of thought
and analysis, of irdomitabfc will and energy,
of gifted tongue and easy bearing and address,
success attended his every effort, and although
an invalid for half a century, he was active und
busy while life lasted.
His carly life was devoted strictly to mercan-
tile pursuits but for twenty-five years he was
President of the Bank of Camden, and his ad-
mirable management Of that institution furnishes
high evidence of his great ability, but the
private qualities Of the man are those by which
he will be longest and best remembered
His charity was striking feature of hrs life
and characterize gave freely to the last, and
often even without the knowledge Of those near
est to him.
His hospitality was free, generous and grace,
full, his powers Of entertaining easy and adapta'
| bic. ......!.. ..... ........... 3. ......r..t
His conversational powers were unsurpassed
his nervous and pointed force Of expression only
equallcd by his unerring choice of language.
He read few books, but these were always o
high standard, and he never failed TO master
every thought and trace to their conclusion
every suggestion of the author. Few men have
so closely studied and 80 much admired TIM
greatest of Books-the Bible. .
His rare intellectually and his highly nerv
| GUS temperament comDlheo 10 form an exquisite
and sensitive taste, and he lived n worshippe
of the beautiful. His extensive and beautiful
grounds at Kirkwoedwere not only "joy" It
him, but ga thing of beauty which he gladl,
and generously shared with all.
The large concourse of people who ATTENDED
his funeral, the closed stores and hushed soic
of busines as the certege passed through tn
streets of Camden, on Monday, testified th
worth of the dead and the appreciation of th
living. :,
We would not with rude hand touch the cur
tanned privacy of the 'shouse of mourning, " bu
would ask the aged widow, beloved by all, an
his sons to accept the tender and !appreciativ
sympathy Of FRIEND.