The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1891-11-19

IN MElIORIAM.
Dn. JAMEs ~. GRArrON.


of Thomas Grafton aud Mary Forman,
both of Irish descent. He was born IN
Jefferson county, Miss, near the county
seat of Fayette, January %, 1S2. He
attended Oakland College. for many
years the pride of the Presbyterian
church of this State. After leaving Col
! lege, ne pursued the study of medicine,
and practiced medicine until the COM
mencement of the civil war; one year III
/ Louisiana, two years Mt Union Church,
jefferson county, three years in Madison,
aud finally in Lincoln county. He was
| soldier in the Confederate army, where
| he rendered faithful and efficient service,
until the close of this sangnlnary and um-
fortunate struggle. December 10, 1545,
he was united in marriage with MISS Mary
Mann, Il lady of noble Christian charac-
ter, lovely disposition, and helpmeet
indeed during union extending nearly
period of forty-three years. She and
five children survive their beloved and
lamented husband and father one of the
sons filling in the most efficient manner
the Office of Deacon in the Presby terrain
church of Brookbaven.
When DIR. Grafton settled near Brook
haven in the year of 1855. the Presbyte-
rians had no organization or church
building i'll the community. In the year
1856 he with the few Presbyterians III the
neighborhood initiated steps for the pur
pose of erecting "a house of worship.
This enterprise was soon begun, and on
the 9th Of August, 1857, the building
was dedicated to the worship of Almighty
Cod On the same day the church was
organized, consisting of seven members,
all of whom, except one, consisting of the
Grafton family aud its near connections.
Rev. A. McCallum and w. II. Roane were
the officiating ministers on this occasion.
DR.. Strobe, DR.. Grafton and d. n. Nc
Laurin were elected and installed Ruling
Elders in the new church. DR.. Strobe
died in 1865, ID. n. McLaurin 1s56, and
the recent death of DR.. Grafton leaves his
widow as the only survivor of the origi-
nal membership.
For some years past DIR. Grafton was
engaged in educational pursuits as teach
er and Superintendent of Education, for
which he was well qualified intellectually
and morally.
DIR. Grafton's life, though passed in COM
parative quietness, was full of useful Ia
Dor for the community and charch IN
which he lived. He was u man of excel
lent moral character; diligent in the dis
charge of all private aud public duties;
eminently sociable and hospitable re-
spected and honored as II citizen eXem
plary aud pure in his Christian walk and
conversaton-"An Israeite in whom was
no guile"
Born and bred i'll the Presbyterian
church, aud well indoctrinated in its
polity ard faith, DR.. Grafton was sim
cere lover of the church of his fathers,
and ever studied and labored for its veal
and advancement. He was the lifelong
Superintendent of the Sabbath School
ofIimes leading its music as well as that
of the public worship of Gods house, for
which he was cminently fitted by an in
innate acquaintance with the principles
of this very important accomplishment
For several years past DR.. Graiton's
health had been gradually failing; and
last Spring lie had an attack of la grippe,
from the effects of which he never recOv
cred He was looking forward with great
pleasure to the meeting of the Synod
but his feeble condition prevented him
from attending its sessions. During the
sitting of this body, and in the sanctty
of his own home, he calmly fell asleep i'll
Jesus on the 18th of November, at 3 =. III.
He often spoke of his approaching de-
cease, and always III the language of hope
and faith. His last words were, "Yea,
though l walk through the valley of the
shadow of death, l will fear no evil
Fitting words for one, who in early life
gave his heart and life to Christ, and who
always sought to initiate the example of
his adorable Lord and Redeemer.
The writer tenders his sincere sympathy
to the bereaved companion and children,
and prays that our covenant God may
richly vouchsafe to them the consultations
of the blessed Gospel in this their time of
affiiction and sorrow. ''He being dead
yet speaketh."
His funeral on the 18th inst. was con-
Quoted in the PTesby terian church by DR..
Markham of New Orleans and the writer,
and was attended by the members of
Synod and a large assembly of sympa-
thizing and loving friends. w. b. b.