Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1901-12-25
SeEksOa OuFrln.
asiass Oldest and Most High,
.spected Citizens Passes Away.

49, ~
Yesterday afternoon at about $3.50
O'CLOCK MIR. William Jefferson Duffie, one
of Columbia's oldest and most highly
esteemed citizens aud business men, died
at his home at the corner Of Richiand
and Bull streets In this city. Mr.. Duffie
had been stricken with paralysis at the
breakfast table the day before and had
never rallied to any extent, though for a
while, under stimulants, he was CON
scious and recognized those about his
bedside. He had been very feeble for q
year or more and such close to his life
was not unexpected. Ever since he was
stricken friends from all parts OF the CITY
have been calling at the residence max
ing inquiries as to his condition.
Mr.. Duffie was born in Chester county,
at Blackstock, 72 years ago on the 1st
day OF December last, and has always
been hale and hearty man, until about
a year ago when his health began to fail
him. Upon reaching young manhood he
left his home and came to Columbia,
entering the South Carolina College. He
left as a junior in 1854. He belonged to
the class of 1856 which graduated 60
members, the largest in tho history of
the college, @. w. Boyd being first and
w. l.. Trenholm second in the class.
Then Mr.. Duffie went to Laurens county,
where he taught school for a while, later
coming to Newberry, where he did the
same thing, publishing while there q
valuable almanac, his first experience in
the publication of any kind of document.
When the war broke out Mr.. Duffie went
into the service and did valuable work
in the quartermaster's 8 department of the
army under Major Roland Rhett. When
the Veterans organized in this city he
became q member of Camp Hampton.
While in Newberry, though still quite
young man, he became an elder of the
Presbyterian church.e
He came to Columbia in 1867 and set
tied here, opening the book and station-
cry business that he was conducting at
the time of his death. He was successful
as business man from the very first and
soon he was the publisher of Stephens
History of the United States, Davidson's
History of South Carolina, the Reynolds
readers and Lutheran hymn book.
Then he republished Ramsey's History
locations Mr.. Duffie made money and
established his business.
AS soon as he. came to Columbia he
was elected an elder in the First Presby-
terian chuch and was still an elder when
he died. For over 40 years he has been
member of the board of trustees of the
Presbyterian Theological seminary and
has during that period been the treasrrer
of the institution. He was member of
the original board of trustees of she
Columbia graded schools and served in
that capacity until about two years ago,
when he resigned on account of his age.
For number of years Mr.. Duffie was
one of the most valuable members of the
city council of Columbia.
Mr.. Duffie was also director in the
Carolina National bank of this city and
of the Presbyterian College for Women,
in both of which institutions he took a
great personal interest
Mr.. Duffie accumulated quite o fortune
and at the time of his death owned many
thousand acres of land in different parts
of the State, particularly in the noun
tain portion of the State.
Mr.. Duffie leaves four brothers, one of
whom is in Washington, another is a
Judge on the bench in Arkansas, and a
third is judge on the bench in Texas.
Mr.. Dnffie was twice married. His
first wife was Miss Mary I. Koon of
1876. To them nine children were born,
of which the survivors are VIM. K. Duffie,
of this city; Mrs. j. s. Lindsay, of Ches-
ter; Sam. j. Duffie, of Texas; DIR. Silas
J. Duffie, of New Orleans, and Mrs. d.
M. Fulton, of Darlington. The second
wife was Miss Mary E. Bellamy, of Will
mington, N: G., sister of Congressman
Bellamy, of North Carolina, who died
just two years ago, leaving two daugh-
tears, Misses Elise and Ellen.
After appropriate funeral services the
remains were laid to rest in the First
Presbyterian church yard.
Mr.. Duffie was a thoroughly good man,
one who was ever staunch as citizen
and friend, and he will be real loss to
the community in which he lived so
long.-Columbia State, December 18th.
Mr.. Duffie was we'll and favorably
known in Walhalla and throughout Oeo-
nee county, and his many friends here,
as we'll as elsewhere, will regret TO learn
of his death. Mr.. Duffie owned CON
siderable real estate in this county.
Rev. r. l.. Duffie, of Westminster, is a
brother of the deceased. To the be-
reaved ones is extended the sympathy
of the entire community.