The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1901-04-03
HON. ISAAC d ~WITHERsPooN
IA Christian Gentleman and a
True Nobleman "-Sketch of His
Lite.

IA Christian Gentleman and a
True Nobleman "-Sketch of His
Lite.
Elk Judge Isaac d. Witherspoon. of
Yorkville, passed peacefully away on
Sunday morning, Gath inst, after an
Illness of twelve days with pleurisy.
The 1orkville correspondent Of The
State says that his death was as calm
as the slumbering of a babe upon the
breast Of its mother. HIS age was IS
years. JUG" Withcrspoon was an cl-
der of the First Presbyterian church at
this place, a Christian gentleman and
true, noble man. No worthy object o
charity or b~encvolencc was turned away
by him, and in his legal practice he
never refused to give advice on account
OF the poverty of the applicant. Dur
ing the dark days of '7G' he was the
leader OF his county in the redemption
of the State from Radical rule. He was
beloved by this community and his de-
cease falls heavy upon us. He leaves u
widow and two children, Miss Lcssie
and DIR. William |. Witherspoon, of
Sheffield, Ala, with u large circle of rel,
atiVes and many friends to mourn his
departure"
Isaac Donnom Witherspoon was born
IN YORK and was one of the sons of the
Hon. Isaac Donnom Witherspoon, who
was for many years Senator from York
district and one Of the leaders in State
politics. His mother was Miss Reid. of
North Caro- ina. He belonged to the
historic family of Witherspoons. of
which the Rev. John Withcrspoon. OF
Princeton college, signcr of the Dcclara-
ton of Independence, was one of the
mostS conspicuous members, and Robert
Witherspoon, Congressman from South
Carolina, another. The young Donnom
Withcrspoon entered the South Carolina
college and graduated in 1854 along
with James Lowndes, Benjamin r.
Stuart, j. H Brooks, Haync McMeckin,
Rev j. II. Riley, former Judge g p.
Townsend, j. IL. Whitncr aud others
Then he pursued the study Of law. and
on his admission to the bar entered into
partnership with the late VIM. b. Viii
son, and the firm praCticcd with great
success
At the beginning Of the war, Judge
Withcrspoon enlisted in the Twelfth
regiment and served until delicate
health caused a transfer to the branch of
the treasury department of the Confcd.
craCy stationed in Columbia
YORK County was spared by the Fed
cral armies, but suffered worse devasta.
ton, if possib c, in 1871 and 1872 because
Of the brutal Ku klux raids of tn,
Federal troops, when Major Merrill, al
officer IN the United States army, re
cclvcd $500 rcward for the arrest o.
every alleged ku Klux, innocent OF
guilty. Judge Withcrspoon had hi.
hands iull assisting his friends anc
t clients. Not for years did the count,
| recover from this dragoonadc.
In 1876 a determined effort was mad,
, to throw OIL the Radical yoke in York
, Judge WithcrspOon was nominated FOL
: Senator by the Democrats and after
, stirring canvass was elected with tn,
! legislative and county tickets He weu
. 10 Columbla and was OF great service a
| II Of the Democratic leaders in Tn,
t Senate in which the Republicans had Il
members and the Democrats II, an,
were trying to seat Senators Gary, Tod,
, and Maxwell, besides placing Lieutcn
ant Governor Simpson over the Senate
The struggle was long, but was attend
5 cd with success at last. After Senate
Jetcr became acting Governor, Judg,
Wltherspoon was chosen president pr,
+ ten OF the Senate and served as sucl
/, until he was e cctcd Judge Of the Sixtl
circuit in place of the unique Thomas j
Mackcy. He had previously formed
> partnership with Charles Il. Spencer
i which was now dissolved. After scrv
ins several terms, Judge Withcrspool
t voluntarily retired to private life an,
{ resumCd the practice of law. He wa
. actively engaged at the bar at the tim
: of his death.
Judge Withcrspoon married Mis-
Wright, daughter Of Col. William