Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1901-07-10
Congressman Stokes Dies in Orangeburg.

Orangeburg, July G.-Tho death of
Congressman j. William Stokes, which
occurred at his home near this city this
morning at o'clock, was q great shock
to tho whole community, though not
unexpected; for it was known several
days ago that littlo if any hopo was
entertained of his final recovery. He
had been in declining health for months,
yet his desire to serve his constituency
caused him to forget self and continue
at his official work until short time
since when he was forced by weakness
to give mp all of his labors. His private
secretary was brought hore, however,
and attended to all matters of pressing
importance.
In the death of DR.. Stokes tho State
and county have lost good citizen. He
was cntcrprising and pushing, and in
church and matters of State, ho had
drawn to himself thousands of faithful
friends who will sorrow at his untimcly
taking off. He was transformations and
faithful to evcry duty; and while it may
be said with truth that at one time in
his political career ho had many oppo-
nents of his advancement in this his
native county, it can be as truthfully
asserted now, that at tho time Of his
death ti,cro were few who opposed him,
so closely lad he identified himself with
tho people Ly his faithful service as a
Congressman.
Congressman Stokes leaves surviving
him wifo and mother, and ono brother,
Rev. Edwin Stokes, Of tho South Caro-
lima conference, N. f. Church, South,
and two sisters, Misses Anna and Lula.
TO all of these 60 out tho unfoigncd
sympathics of a sOrrOwing people.
The time for the funeral has been fixed
for Monday, at II o'clock q. M, at tho
Methodist church. Tho deputy sergeant
alarms will arrive hero tomorrow and
tue Congressional Committee arc OK
pcctcd Monday morning.
SKETCH or HIS LIFE.
Congressman J. William Stokes was
born in Orangoburg county in 1853.
After attending tho public schools ho
was graduated from tho Washington and
Lee University with high honors. After
graduation ho taught school as principal
of tho Lincoln county, Tennessee, school
for two years. Then at tho ago of 81 he
decided to study medicine and entered
Vanderbilt University for that purpose,
dcrbilt he taught school near Nash
willie. At his graduation he won high
honors and won from among 38 contest
ants medal offered for tho best on n
medical subject. Though offered the
snpcrintcndcncy Of fine school in Mis-
SiSSippi he came home and practiccd
medicine for a year. Finally, tho offor
being bcttorcd, ho did 90 to Mississippi
and took charge of the school at Corinth,
remaining there six years. Then Lin
coin county's schools needed him again
and he accepted tho supcrintcndcncy for
a period of five years. At the end of tho
first year, however, he was called homo
to take charge of his fathers estate, tho
lattcr's health having failed DR.. Stokes
soon became greatly interested in agri-
! cultural matters and foil into tho Farm
crs' Alliance with his whole soul, first
| organizing sub-Allanco, thon tho
county Alliance, and later on purchasing
and running The Cotton Plant in Juno
1900. lIo ran tho paper for somo time.
Still later he became State organizer for
tho Alliance in it's palmy days and was
president of the organization for somo
time. In the general election in 1890 ho
was sent by his county to tho State
Senate. From tho Senate ho went to
Congress. His career there, particularly
his porsistcncy in tho matter of tho rural
free delivery system, is known to all.
In 1888! Dr.. Stokes married Miss Il. l..
l.anders, of Fayetteville, Tenn. AS
teacher, doctor, farmer, editor and
official DR.. Stokcs was successful.