The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1885-10-21
J.. Marion Latinler. Sr.

The town of L~owndesville and yicin-
ity were greatly shocked by the sudden
death of its most prominent and useful
citizen. Mr.. j. Marion Latimer, Sr., who
died suddenly Of heart disease about
. o'clock, Thursday morning, October
10th. Mr.. LatImer arose and breakfast
ed in the morning referred to, apparent
ly In usual health. Soon after eating
breakfast he walked out into his yard,
giving direction to some hands in his
employ about their work for the day :
and returning to the house sat down
and in a short time fell from his chair,
and died within a few moments.
MIR. Latimer has been identified with
this community for a long period of
tine. nearly half a century and has also
been known throughout the county and
State as a prominent citizen, energetic
and successful in business and Jealous
and useful in the church. Many who
have known him during his long and
successful career will be saddcned to
hear Of his sudden and unexpected
death and those who have been most
intimately associated with him and felt
the influence of his genial nature, al
ways expressing itself in polite and
and courteous manners, and listened to
his words of wise and prudent counsel,
will find it hard to realize that he is
dead.
Mr.. Latimer was born in this County
about two and half miles north Of the
present site Of Due West. His father
Or. james NJ. Latimcr moved to this
State from Maryland. with his mother
and settled first ON Broadmouth Creek
in this County. In the year 1901 he
was married to Miss Catherine Kay and
moved to the neighborhood Of the pres
cnt site Of Due West, where his son
j. NJ. Latimer, who was one Of q large
family most Of whom have diel before
him, was born December 9th 1914.
TN the 26th Of September.
1888, in the 10th year Of his age, he
was married to Miss Mahala Young.
daughter of Mr.. WIN. Young, who lived
a few miles east Of Shiloh Church in
this County. He settled in this neigh
borhood and remained four or five wears
until about the year 1888. when he and
his fa~ther-in-law, Mr.. Young bought
land in the Fork, between Hockey and
Savannah rivers, about three miles west
Of Lowndesvillc, and moved thithcr
with their families.
49, -. ulONcu 10
LowndeSville and has resided there and
at his plantation since that time. AS a
planter he was quite successful. His
excrtions in this direction were charac-
terized by energy, perseverance,, and
progresSiveness, and resulted in the &C.
emulation of property. His business
integrity and capacity were we'll known
This will be readily inferred from the
fact that when quite a young man he
was appointed trustee Of the large es-
tate OF Mr.. John Oliver. This estate
amounted to more than $1CO,;AO.CO and
was successfully managed by him for q
number Of years.
Mr. Latinner has always shown srcta
interest in public matters that looked to
the building up and improvement Of his
county. He was largely instrumental
IN procuring the charter for the s. V. r.
r., and was for six years President OF
the company. Those only who have
been we'll acquainted with the progress
OF this important enterprise, know of
the difficulties that he overcame and
the obstacles that he surrounded in his
efforts to afford rail road communication
to the Savannah side of Abbryille
County. When the prospects of the
Road were dark and gloomy, when its
enemies openly cxulted over it's appa-
rent downfall. and its friends in despair
were ready to give it up, he pe,scvered.
Oftnntimes it seemed that the enter
prise depended entirely OF. his will and
energy. and It's present favorable condi-
ton is looked upon by all as n monu-
mrnt to his business capacity and in
domitable will. The motive that in
spired, him to undergo such arduous la
boris for the advancement of this enter
prise, was the good Of the community.
He expressed himself rs not expecting
to derive financial benefit from the com
pletion Of the Road, and the sad event
OF his death has happened in accord.
ance with his expectations. His dis
lnterestedneSs is further shown by the
TACT, that he received no compensation
for his labor, while his private business
was suffering from lack Of his attention.
During the present year Mr.. Lati-
mcr had given much time and attention.
aud contributed literally to the build
ing OF the new Methodist Church at
LowndeSville. In this, rs in others
kindred enterprises in the community,
MS prudence, Judgment. and material
assistance, were considered necessary
to success ;. and were giv,n by him
without reason. 1t seems a strange CO.
Incidence that he should have died 80
soon after the completion Of these two
public enterprises, TO which he has civ.
Ell SO much time during the latter years
Of hisSlife.
As a friend and counsellor Mr.. Lati
mer had few equals. A large family
connection, and a large circle Of friends,