The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1900-12-14
JOHN l.. NJ. lRBY
PASSES AWAY
a RENIAKKABLE CAREER ENDED IN
THE VERY FRIHIE OF MANHOOD.
Was On IIampton's Staff and Succeeded
HamptOn-He Was tb'' Organiz r Who
Gave Brain ahd I'M iLtus to tho Ko.
form Movement and He Had
Many Strong Traits.
(The State. }

1rDy, former Y. >. Senator, prom
inent lawyer and distinguished citi-
zen of this county and State, is dead
at his home in this city, aged 4G
years and 8 months.
The end came this morning at 8
o'clock after an attack of Bright's
disease. 1t was known several days
ago that his condition was extremely
critical and recovery very doubtful,
and still the announcement of his
death was a shock to a majority in
this section and is the occasion of
manifold expressions of sympathy
and regret. Col. lrby was man of
remarkable fine physical develop
ment and battled against the deadly
inroads with all the tenacity of his
being but he had to yield to the
grim monster.
The funeral arrangements have
been made. The interment will take
place tomorrow morning at 4 o'clock
at the city cemetery. The exercises
will be conducted by the Masons
with which fraternity he was promi-
nently identified locally, having been
but recently elected Worshipful Mas.
Ger of Palmetto Lodge, No. 10, and
at the reorganization this year of
Rising Sun Chapter, No. 6, Royal
Arcanum, he WAS made High Priest,
an honor worthily bestowed. In re-
ligion Col. Irby was Baptist, his
membership being with Holly Grove
Baptist church this county.
John Laurens Manning Irby was
but 46 years old, having been born
in Laurens, Sept. 10, 1854. His
father was Col. James H. Irby, a
distinguished South Carolinian, who
for years represented Laurens county
in the State Senate and was later
lieutenant Governor, at the time
John l.. Manning WAS Governor.
On account Of the friendship of these
TWO, the Lieutenant Governor named
his son for Gov. Manning. The
younger 1rby's mother WIS Miss
Henrietta Earle, daughter of an
other distinguished South Carolina
family. Senator Irby was thus a
near relative Of his successor in the
United States Senate, the late Judge
Joseph H. Earle. Both of these
who Immediately succeeded Wade
Hampton have passed away, while
the grand old Confederate chieftain
survives them.
Senator Irby spent his boyhood at
the old Irby homestead in Laurens.
This is picturesque spot-a grove
OF ton acres surrounding a mansion
of colonial design, built in the early
part Of the century. The dimensions
of he,Irby home are identical with
those of Solomon's temple Irby
hill orerlooks the city of Laurens,
and the hospitality of it's board has
been enjoyed by many. Senator
lrby and his father before him we're
lavish entertainers.
The deceased was a man of su-
perior education as we'll as CT keen
judgment and st:ong intellect. He
was prepared for college at the local
schools and afterwards attended the
University of Virginia and Prince
ton. In 1876, memorable year in
State history, he was admitted to the
bar after reading law under Henry
y, McIver of Cheraw, the present Chief
Justice of tho Supreme Court of
South Carelina, and Joshua H. Hud-
son, ex.Judge:
His first venture in the practice of
law was in the city of Laurens with
w. L. Gray, Esq, as his partner.
Later he was associated with Joseph
T. johnson, congressman. elect.
Young Irby entered with enthusiasm
into the great campaign which broke
down the rule of the robber barons
. OF the radical party and placed Wade
Hampton at the head of the State
government. He was a L;.utenant
Colonel on Gov. Hampton's staff.
Ip 1878 he practically gave up the
law to look after his extensive farm
ing interests.
1rby took no active part in State