The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-07-22
WILLIAM ANDREW GILES.
BORN IN ABBEVILLE COUNTY JULY 10
1s29---DIED AT GRANITEvILLE JULY
II, 1891.
While His Work Was Not Finished,
and While HE Would Live for
Those Whom lie Loved, He went
DaocnfuI 'rS, rhaf neafh


William Andrew Giles was born in
Abbeville County then District) on the
18th July, 1929, and died at Graniteville
i'm Aiken county OH tho 18th July, 1891,
having Just completed his sixty second
year.
Ills father Andrew Giles, or as he was
almost universally known, Squire Giles,
was one of the remarkable men Of his
day and time; and his son William was
worthy scion of noble stock.
1t was the writer's privilege to know
them both and to enjoy, for thirty years
and more, intimate association with the
latter as well at his home in Lowndes-
vile where so many years OF his useful
life were spent as teacher and magis-
trate, as ut his hospitable homo in
Graniteville where he died.
In his early manhood January 81,
lS5l,) he was happily married to Miss
Jeanie Cunningham by the Rev. II. L.,
McBryde, then the pastor Of Rocky River
Presbyterian Church, whose memory,
fragant with the incense Of every Chris
tian virtue, is still cherished within the
bounds of that venerable place of wor-
ship. On its bench of elders for many
years and until his death, sat his pions
father adorning throughout long life,
by godly walk and conversation, the
doctrines which he profcssed. Jealous
in all good works, humble and meek,
fearing God and loving the Mastcr-a
Christian gentleman. What more need
say than as was the father in all these,
even so was the son.
Seventeen years ago, his elder brother,
the late James II. Giles, who had for
many years held the office of secretary of
the Graniteville Manufacturing Com
pany, admonished by age and increas-
ing intirmity, called to his assistance his
brother William and made him the book
keeper Of the company. His duties
were far more than the term imports.
Like those silent forces in nature which
noiselessly perform their great functions
and astound us only by their mighty re-
suits, SO did this intelligent, quiet, force
full man harmOniZe the diScordant cle-
ments Of his little com nunity, main
tanning peace and order, preventing by
his wise counSels, confusion and strikes,
when under similar conditions disorder
and chaos prevailed elsewhere.
"Blessed arc the peacemakers for
they shall he called the children OF
God"
Allusion has already been made to his
early happy marriage. This union,
broken several years ago by the death
OF his beloved wife, was blessed with Il
numerous offspring Of sons and daugh-
ters, some Of whom in turn had married
and left the natural roof tree, and, though
scattered abroad in different States, it was
a mercil'ul Providence that permitted all
of them to witness a fathers peaceful,
triumphant death, and receive in that
parting moment a fathers blessing.
Just before the dawn Of the morning OF
the 18th inst, during the silent watches
Of the night the final summons came,
when with uncloudod mind, and perfect
consciousness to the last with every fea-
ture illumined by Il vision of things by
the faithful watchers unseen--hearing, ,un-
speakable words which it is not lawful
for man to utter and with The word
home, home, home at last thrice repeated,
the spirit Of this great man, purified by
long and great bodily suffering, took its
flight to his eternal home beyond the
skies.
And so He giveth his beloved sleep.