The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1900-12-12
Death Of Col. j. l.. NJ. Irby.

Ex-senator John l.. M. Irby died a
his home in this city Il few minutes be
fore eight on Sunday morning after ar
acute illness of three weeks. Bright's
disease vas the trouble, his friends
being apprehensive from the first. He
was aware Of his situation and with
great tortitude met the fate which
awaits all mortality. He was the son OF
James II. lrby, IL distinguished lawyer
OF the State, of whig ancestry, two of
ms great uncles having been maSsacred
at Hays station as boys by Ri | Gun
nlngham, and a party of tories, during
the revolution. His father was lieuten-
ant governor in the administration of
Governor Jonn l.. Manning, after whom
the deceased was called. His mother
was Henrietta Earle Of the well known
Greenville family of that name.
After a primary education at the
academy in this city he was a student
at Princeton and at the University Of
Virginia. He was called to the bar in
1876 and practicing his profession for a
short time retired to his farm.
He was elected to the Legislature in
1886 and in 1888 In 1890, he was
reelected and chosen speaker of the
house. from which position he was
made United States Senator to succeed
General Wade Hampton, serving in
that body for six years, from March
1891. At the end of the term he vOlun-
tarily retired, being succeeded by
Judge Joseph II. Earle, of Greenville.
He was also a member Of the con
stitutional convention of 1895, taking
an active part in the proceedings of
that body. For the last three years he
has assiduously practiced his profession
in this city with success.
In 1890 he active y championed what
is known as the reform movement in
this state, going into power with Till
man and his confederates.
In early life he married Miss Mamie
McFarlan, of Cheraw, the daughter of
Colonel McFarlan, Il prominent citizen
of the Pedee section of the State. His
widow survives him with seven chill
dren, two daughters and FIVE sons. He
also leaves three sisters anI one broth
er, Mrs. j. j. Wilson, Mrs. f.. M.
CAME, Mrs. J. w. Jones and DR.. Will
liam c. lrby, all of this city.
While never student Colonel lrby
was distinguished for quickness of APP
prchenSion and readiness of applica-
ton. He mad strong convictions and,
unlike the proverbial politician, never
hesitated to express them. lrby was
anything but Il time server. He at
tracted many friends, attached to him
~ NUNS VI SlcCl.
The funcra. services were he'd at
noon AT the city cemetery IN Monday,
conducted b. Palmetto Lodge \ T.. NJ.
of which the deceased was an officer.
Campbell Lodge of Clinton, wv. Nj.
Cromer) attended and joined the large
procession: with visiting brethren
from other lodges. The local lodge of
knights of Pythias also attended and
with the large ]concourse Of citizens
made the cortcge one of the most i'm
posing seen in this city. The beauti-
full masonic burial service was read by
Worshipful Master j. a. Barksdale, as
sisted by Rev. Robert Adams, of Pal
metto Lodge. The active pall-bearers
we're Col. Fl. Y. Simpson, Col. j. w.
Ferguson, II. A. Cooper, DR.. w. d.
Ferguson, w. a. McClintock. Of Wal
lace Lodge, F.. II. Shell, Schroeder
Lodge, DR.. p. b. Common, j. d. Adams,
j. A. Copeland, r. j. Copeland, j.. f.
Bolt, DR., w. II. Washington, r. F.
Jones.
On a fresh made mound lie the ever
greens and beautiful flowers placed by
loving hands, which covers the re-
mains Of this gifted son Of Laurens,
among the ashes OF an honored ances-
try.