The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1882-07-04

Departed this lfe at the residence OF his son. Dr. j.
Il 1852 In the 7sd Of his age Colonel John C. Pelo
The subject of this tribute was widely and ex-
tensively known all over the State, having for
period OF nearly fifty years occupied conspic-
uous position in matters both of church and
STATE de was identified in very prominent
manner in the political affairs of Florida, and
mad the honor of being one of the original pro-
Ject0s OF the Internal improvement System
and did much, as legislator, in originating
ana organizing the details for that grand plan,
which has done so much for the internal devel-
opment OF the State In the shaping of our
carly State polity he had much to do, his ripe
experience and sound judgment making him en-
inently qualified as developer and organizer of
great political matters, and in those DAYS partic-
ularly. when party lines were drawn on princi
pies. From our carly Territorial davs until the
close OF the late Confederate struggle, he took
distinguished part in political affairs, and there
were few names on The roll of the Florida De-
mocracy that shOne With more lustre than that
OF COlonel PelOt His zeal for his party and his
innexlole devotion to the Constitution and the
Jaws constituted him party leader, and his
earnest lndefatigable nature admirably fitted him
as a thorough, successful worker. He espoused
with singular fidelity the old time" Democ
racy, and while he in common with all other
0outherners accepted the results of the war he
never could adapt himself to the new depart
ures of the Young Democracy" as il is now
called. He was the very best authority on mat
ters OF a political character, having stored his
mind with the great and leading events of his
State lie was, perhaps, one of the best ParIia
mentarians in the State, having been thoroughly
yerSed verse;: IN all me rules governing political and
deliberative bodies, and but few, if any, appeals
were ever taken from his decisions on any of the
many occasions on which he presided as chairman.
AT various periods OF his varied and useful
career he was hOnored by his party in being
called to fill important positions of honor and
trust, and at no time did he Iail in any of The diff
cult and delicate duties which necessarily de-
voved on him.
Colonel PelOt was born in Mcintosh county.
Georgia, May 9th, 1909, and removed to Amelia
Island, Florida, i'll 1923, where most of his early
manhood was spent In 1929 he was married 10
Miss Sara Ann Crews, of ST. Mary's. Georo,a
and in 1892 he removed with his young family
to Hamilton county, Florida where he resided
As a prominent citizen for about six wears Most
of his after life was spent in Columbia and
Alachua counties While residing in Columbia
county the Seminole war broke out and he soon
became an active participant in the struggle with
the savages His first military duty was as vol
unteer aid 10 General - His active ma
ture, however, soon desired different partici-
paiion and wider range of duty, and he raised
manded with conspicuous galIantry His COM
pany dd noble service, and many Il savage was
made to bite the dust under the unerring aim of
veteran volunteers Colonel Pelot was a splendid
commander, being bold and daring, at the same
time cautious and prudent and on more than
one occasion he had hand TO hand t,lts with the
brawny chiefs and braves of the Seminoes
Alter peace was declared Col. Peot returned
TO his legitimate avocaton as planter in which
he had had great success; but his usefulness
nI01rr r,<Nel,.s
from the plow handles 10 the legislative councils
where he served as a member of the territorial
Senate with great prominence and ability for
several Terms AT this time, if we recollect
Alright, there were but iour Senatorial Districts
Another distinguished Floridian, who died but
lew years since, and who was an uncle to Col
Pelot, Gen james q. Cooper, was also Senator
at this time, and for many years and on many
occasions afterwards, Col. Pelot had the singl-
lar honor OF being the chairman of the first Dem
ocralc State Convention and of the last one un-
der the old regime which met at Quincy in 1860.
and which nominated Gen. Milton for Governor
and OF which it was said that it was composed
OF the best brains of Florida. He was also a
conspicuous and useful member of the Secession
convention, and acted as temporary chairman
In the organization of The same He was del
egate to nearly every Democratic Convention
that assembled previous to the war, and was
chosen 10 many other political positions.
AIler removing to Newnansvile he was an
pointed by President Buchanan. Live Oak Tim
Der Agent, at that time very important and
honorable position, which place he filled with
great ability for a number OF years He was af-
terwards appointed Register and Receiver of
Public Lands under the State Government,
which he held until the close of the war. when
with other Offices of Confederate tenure, his place
was made vacant. This was the last public DO
sitlon Col. PclOt ever filled
Col Pelot lost his first wife at Lake CITY. in
1888, lady OF remarkable virtues and excellen-
cles OF character He had by his first marriage
fifteen children, eleven of whom survived their
mother.
In 1854 he married Mrs. Jane Pyles, of
Aiachua county, by whom he had six children
Thirteen children survive their father, all save
one being residents of Florida
ne deceased was not only prominent in sec
ular affairs, but from early manhood until the
day OF his death. or at least stricken by disease
nc was leading member and official of the
Methodist Episcopal Church He was for
number OF years local preacher of that church.
ana IN the pulpit, as in the legislative halls or
political bustings, his zeal and influence had
great scope, and effected much good in the re-
lIgious circles with which he was connected
HIS purse, his house, and his heart, were ever
| open 10 The cause and to disciples of religion,
ana scores oi ltinerant ministers now living will
bear testimony to his generous and lavish as
sstaDce to the cause of religion
The name of Col. John G. Pelot will long be
heid IN lively remembrance as having been
| prominently associated with the social religious
| political and military history of East Florida es
pecialy.
He could never reconcile his views and feel
lngs To the new order of things brought about
| by the results of the war, and his hopes in the
ultimate triumph of the South had been so firmly
! grounded, that he failed To realize the great
changes which had been wrought, and his
thoughts would ever wander back u the days of
the ODD South E. NJ. GRAHAM