The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-08-31
DEATH OF GEN. WAGNER.

Inc announcement VI Gue Ocatit VI
Gen. John A: Wagener, of Charleston,
will be received with great surprise
throughout the State. Onlya fortnight
since he was honored with the distinction
of being placed at the head of the Demo-
cratic Electoral ticket, and his friends
confidently anticipated that he would
enter with his accustomed vigor and
energy upon the campaign, in a cause
which was dear to his heart, and in be-
half of a people with whom he has been
SO prominently and honorably identified
for the greater part of his life. But, in
the inscrutable Providence of an ALL
Wise God, these hopes and expectations
are not to be realized. Gen. Wagner
departed this life at Walhalla on Sunday
morning last, at half:past nine o'clock,
from inflammation of the stomach and
bowels, after short and painful illness.
1t has been his custom for many years to
spend a portion of the summer in Wal
halla, which owes its existence mainly to
his efforts in organizing the colony of
German settlers who first peopled that
town, and in accordance with this GUS
tom, he has been residing for some weeks
at Biemann's Hotel, where he was domi-
ciled at the time of his death.
Gen. Wagener was native of Ger
many, and with his parents removed to
this country in the year 1882, since
which time he has been conspicuously
connected with the material, social and
religious interests of Charleston, in which
community he was deservedly popular
among all classes. In early life he was
engaged in mercantile pursuits, and at
once assumed leading position in the
commercial operations of that city. In
every department of human industry and
activity, Gen. Wagner was always fore
most to promote the welfare of his fellow
citizens, and was especially prominent in
whatever concerned the advancement of
the German element in Charleston.
Hence, we find that his labors and per-
sonal exertions wee largely devoted to
the organization and development Of
German institutions in his adopted city,
among which may be mentioned the
foundation of the German Lutheran
Church, the German newspaper now
known as the Zeitung, the German Fire
Company, the German Fire Insurance
Conipany, and the German Schutzenplatz,
all of which he was largely instrumental
in founding upon basis of enduring
prosperity, usefulness and honor. These
institutions and other praiseworthy OBJ
jects will stand as an enduring monu-
ment to his iberality, activity and un-
selfish conduct as a citizen. We have
already alluded to the fact that he was
the pioneer in the foundation of the
colony which settled Walhalla, and for
many years he was the President of the
colony. In that community he was
greatly beloved, not only for his energetic
devotion to its interests for the last
quarter of century, but for the manly
qualities of head and heart which distin-
guished him in every relation of life.
Gen. Wagner was the commanding
officer of an artillery company in Charles
ton at the beginning of the war, and
when this company was thrown into a
battalion, he rose to the rank of Lieu
tenant Colonel, in which capacity he
commanded the troops during the battles
of Hilton Head and Fort Walker. He
was elected to the State Legislature soon
after the war, and by reason of being the
recipient of the largest popular vote, he
was made the chairman of the Charleston
delegation, which position he filled with
dignity and honor. Upon the recon-
mendation of Gov. Orr, the Office of Com
missioner of immigration was created,
and Gen. Wagner was chosen to fill that
position for two years, and was actively
engaged in his duties during that time.
In 1871, after heated and animated
contest, Gen. Wagner was elected Mayor
of Charleston upon the citizens ticket,
and served in that capacity for two years
with marked industry and capability.
His administration was distinguished for
fairness towards all classes, and rigid
economy in the disbursement of public
funds. Besides the relations in public
life sustained by him, which we have al
ready mentioned, Gen. Wagner was an
earnest, devoted and jealous member OF
the Masonic fraternity. His prominence
as a Mason was not due so much to Off
cial station as to the fervency and zeal
which characterized his intelligent appre-
citation of the noble tenets of the institu-
tion, exemplihed in Brotherly Love, Re-
lief and Truth.
The selection of Gen. Wagner on the
Democratic ticket as one Of the Electors
for the State-at-large was a fit recognition
of his great services as an earnest and
practical reformer, in full afiliation with
the movement to bring peace, prosperity
and happiness to the entire country,
which was dear to his heart as an Ameri-
can citizen. The writer of this brief
tribute to his memory had the honor to
propose the name of Gen. WAGNER to
head the electoral ticket, and the una
nimity with which the proposition was
received is gratifying recollection Of
the event, and a strong attestation of the
great esteem in which our lamented
friend wa' held throughout the State.