The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1894-09-11

An Eminent Jurist and Noble GcntIe-
man Has Gone to His Reward-A
Sketch of His Long and Useful Ca.
reer.
Hon. Benjamin c. Presley, the emi-
mont juriSt and ACCOMPLISHED gentle
man, died at his residence III Summer
Vile on the 9th inst, in the S0th year
of his age. The News and Courier gives
the following sketch of his life, always
pure and upright:
Judge PRESLEY was born nearly
eighty years ago at the old Long Cane
settlement, in Abbeville County of
good parentage, family Of sturdy
farmers and husbandmen, who had
been noted always for their unusual
individuality His legal education was
acquired under the supervision of the
late Attorney General Bailey, one of
the most distinguished legal lights of
the day. In an almost incredibly short
time after being called to the Bar he
had achieved an enviable position,
which year by year became higher and
YET, more high. His first partner was
MIR. Lee, with whom he was asso-
ciatcd until the year 1852, from which
date until 1867 he practiced alone.
In 1867 he organized the well-known
firm of Prcssley, Lord 81 Inglesby, Mr..
Samuel Lord and Mr.. Charles Inglcsby
being his associates This firm existed
as one of the most eminent in Broad
street until its dissolution in 1877, when
Judge PRESLEY was elected Judge of
the lst circuit. For fifteen years he
sat upon the Bench as one of its bright
est ornaments, being exactly what @
Judge should be. His character was
unimpeachablc. his mind brilliant and
logical and his learning profound. His
resignation OF his high office, caused
by i'll health, was greatly regretted,
and at that time most eloquent and
glowing tribute was paid him in behalf
Of the Bar by the mouth of one of its
most eloquent members.
In antc-bellum days Judge Prcssley
for years held the Office of sub-treas-
urcr of the United States for South
Carolina. His discharge of the duties
OF this Office were SO faithful and SC
satisfactory that at the end of the war,
without any solicitation whatever and
to his own intense amaZcment, he was
rc-appolntcd to the same office, which
he held until he resigned it on account
of the exactions of his practice.
AS quito ayoung man Judge Pressley
distinguished himself by reducing an
| immense mass of crude matter into that
concise and valuable work, Pressley's
Laws OF Magistrates, ever since in
| valuable to both Bench and Bar.
His accomplishment as write,
were not confined, however, to works
on law, but extended to the lighter and
more congenial field of journalism, and
many old Charlestonians will remem
| Der his brilliant contributions to the
Charleston newspapers before the war
| 1t was on account Of failing health
that Judge Presley, after residence
of nearly forty years in Charleston, re-
moved. to health-giving Summerville
In his religious faith Judge PRESLEY
was Baptist, and was warmly attach
ed to the First Baptist church of thi:
city, whore he used often to lecture
Simplicity, modesty and purity were
his chief characteristics, and when the
summons came, in the consciousness O
u well spent and noble life and firm il
tho faith of his fathers, he entered
gladly the life eternal, leaving Caro-
lima to morn the loss of his genius ant
| worth