The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1895-03-13

Martin. Rev. Chas. Manly, D. D., Presi-
dent Of Furman University, Greenville,
s. c., who came over specially for the oc-
casion, delivered a very interesting eulo-
gy on the life and character of his decess-
ed friend. Hewas followed by Col. John
B. Patrick, who had known Gen. Aver
Intimately since he was young man,
and who spoke of his many noble virtues
of both heart and mind. The remains
were then carried to Silver Brock Gene
terry and laid to rest, the services being
concluded at the grave. The active pail
bearers were Messrs. J. A. Brock, 7. f.
Hill, J. M. Sullivan, j. NJ. Patrick, w.
A.. vandiver, E. L. Clark, r. IS. Ligon
and F. T. Wilhite. A long procession OF
leading citizens followed as an honorary
escort.
Thus has fallen another great and good
man, whose memory will long be cher
ished, and whose influence for good and
all that is high and honorable will be felt
for generation to come. To know
Gen. Aver was to love and esteem him,
for he was truly model man, and the
world is better for his having lived in 1t,
which can be said of but few men.
He was patriot and statesman, and,
above all, Christian gentleman, who
went about doing good and sowing seeds
of kindness. In every relation Of life he
discharged his duties most faithfully, and
he has gone to reap the rewards OF the
faithful Christian. We have known him
intimately since our boyhood, and we
feel that our feeble pen is not capable. OF
doing justice to his noble character.
The following sketch Of Gen. Ayers
life, from the pen of a friend and aemirer,
is taken from the Charleston Ne,os and
Courier, Of last Saturday:
aGen. Aver was born in Barnwell
County, in this State, November L, 1921.
He was the son Of Lewis Malone Aver,
who had figured as boy as an aide and
courier Of Francis Marion during the
Revolution, the son of a Scotch Irish
emigrant who came to America in the
middle Of the eighteenth century. He
filed in Marlborough district positions
Of honor under the Crown Of England in
Colonial days. The son afterwards serv-
ed his State in the State Senate for many
years from Barnwell County. Thegrand-
son began his public career early in life,
having completed his education at the
South Carolina College, the University OF
Virginia and Cambridge Law School.
seen. Aver won his military titles in
the Kansas war, where he acquitted him
self with honor and credit. He was for
many years member Of the State Legls-
lature, having won in every contest that
he entered upon for popular suffrage,
though more than once he championed
principles that were unpopular because
he thought them right, and he had the
courage Of his convictions and his honesty
of purpose was never questioned.
"One campaign of his is spoken Of to
this day among the, older people Of the
Congressional district that included Barn
we'll County. It was contest between
Aver and Owens for the seat made vacant
by the resignation of Col. Keitt, in which
Gen. Aver achieved brilliant success,
and made for himself the reputation OF
being one of the best stump speakers in
blackguardism was unknown and would
never have been permitted on the stump
In South Carolina. South Carolina Sc
ceded before the Congress-to which Gen.
Aver vas elected convened. Despite his
anxiety to enter the field in his country's g
service, he was persuaded to follow the
course upon which he had entered and
serve Carolina in the councils Of the new
nation, the nation that, like the majority
Of those who gave it birth. is dead.
"Gen, Aver was one of the Convention
that seeded. His heart and soul were
wrapped up in the freedom of his State.
He sacrificed everything for it. When
he returned TO his old home the angel of
desolation had spread her wings over the
place. This is familiar story to too
many Of the readers of this paper.
Seen. Aver was very near to Mr.. Davis
during the dark days Of the Confederacy.
They were warm personal friends, ,.and,
though they never met after the fortunes
of war separated them, each had memori-
ais Of the others esteem.
"Gen. Aver at one time during the
Confederaey earnestly tried to carry out
the plan so successful in the wars Of his
tory, to have Congress dissolve and give
to Mr.. Davis absolute dictatorship of the
Confederacy with the charge that he see
that the Republic suffer no harm. The
idea, however. was too unpopular and
was never brought in form before the
onfederacy.
"After the war, crushed and broken in
spirit and fortune, Gen. Aver opened q
cotton factorage business in this city with
Mr.. Webb, in which he continued until
1868, when he returned to his plantation.
I In 1872 he entered the Baptist ministry,
serving the churches in Anderson, s. c.,
Jefferson, Texas, and Murfreesboro,
Tenn.
SIN 1881 he returned to Anderson to
open seminary for young ladies, which
f1ourished for many years, until advanc-
ing age required him to cease from active
work. Teaching was his natural voca-
ton; he loved it, and he taught unoon-
sciously to himself and to his pupil. No
one, old or young, ever spent ten min
utes in his society without learning some-
thing new and something useful. He
was man of extensive and varied read
ing. His life had been spent largely
among books in spite of the fact that he
was always actively employed at some
thing all the time. He always found
leisure to read, and he always read to be
benefited by the reading. He Is the au-
th0r OF quite NUMBER OF pampnl6tS anu
letters on political subjects that in their
time attracted widespread attention, and
in later years of religious book, "Infant
Salvation According to the Bible.'
"He was twice married, the first time
to Miss Anna Patterson, Of Barnwell, in
1912. His second wife was the daughter
Of the Rev. T. V. Moore, of Richmond,
Va, who, with FIVE children, all grown,
survives him.
"The least that can be said of Gen.
Aver was that he spent his life in trying
to make young and old around him
happy. He was respected by the elders
and loved by the young. He was father
and grandfather to every child that knew
him. He belonged entirely to the old
school of South Carolina gentlemen, of
which school he was one CT the few left,
to whom honor and truth were more than
life."
During the last session Of Congress
there were sent to the Senate Committee
on Finance 17s measures and documents
80 L, oipr RI tho Gpou.