Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1898-08-13
Esteemed In Life and Revered In Death

, Few men in our community have ever
l exerted a better or more potent infiu
ence upon the circle in which they moved
r than the subject of this brief tribute.
. His life was marked by the highest and
most lofty principles of right and jus.
tice, which characterized him in every
sphere of action.
Died, at,his residence in this county,
on the evening of June SOth, 1898,
JOSEPH P. STOKES, aged 81 years, and
inferred in Soule Chapel cemetery July
/, 1898. Mr.. Stokes was a native of
G. lleton district, South Carolina. Born
jane Is, 1881, and moved with his pa
rents to Noxubee county in 1888. His
father died a few months after tn cir ar.
rival; his mother remained a year or
more with her father, Major Jos w.
Roger, then settled the place on which
Capt. Stokes was living, at the time of
his death. In lS49 his mother died and
he assumed the management of the es-
tate, which he successfully conducted
until it Was divided some years later.
In 1861 he was one of The first to an
swer his country's call ''to arms
He enlisted as a private in { apt. Ko-
ger company, was Severely wounded
and taken prisoner at the battle of Per
ryville, and after his exchange was
to the commissary depart.
ment, in which he served until the close
the war. As a soldier he met a sol
responsibilities and duties with
characteristic manhood, which &C
and controlled him in everything
he did Though a member of the great |
est and grandest army that ever shook +
any land with its martial tread, an +
army that challenged the admiration of
he world and frightened the pages of
with deeds the most heroic and
'ubllme, there was not one among those I
heroes that wore the gray who was L
more loyal to the cause for which he a
truggle9 or fought more bravely to up
lold his country's honor than Jos. P.
stokes, Nothing lay nearer his heart
han his country's veal and when the
'anner he had followed for four years Al
vas furled-though in glory, at Apo u
latox, he accepted the issue, returned u .!
D the hearth he had left at his country's W "
and became as loyal to the United
tates government as he had been a sol.
Ter OF the Confederacy, None labored
lore assiduously than he to rebuild the
1ins of the South and make her what q,
hat she has been and ever will be, the to
ride and glory of America. ca
Though a strong and uncompromising ar
arllzan he never sought political pre- 60
'rment, and yet no man in the county n
d more to shape her politics than Mr.. II
About ten years ago he consented to
'cept the responsible position of county
1pervisor, which position he filled
18th such marked ability and loyalty to
e people that his death was recognized
a public calamity, and mingled with
e universal expression of regret, we
ar the plaudits well done thou good
ID faithful servant;'' none can fill thy
The world has lost a good man, the
tie a good citizen, the county a good
icer and the needy a good friend; and
the time to be many hearts which he
with his charity and kindness -
IL recall his memory with gratitude
d with tears,
de leaves a wife, two sons, a brother.
ter, and a host of friends to mourn
loss. He was esteemed in life; he
revered in death.