The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-07-10
MAJOR M'PHEtTERS
HAS PASSED AWAY
One of RaIeigh's Oldest and
Best Known Citizens.
A LIFE OF GOOD DEEDS
End Came Peacefully After Months of Patient
Sickness to One Who is Most Sincerely
Mourned by Host of
Friends.

Full of years, with life of usefulness
and great good behind him, Major Alex
ander M McPheeters passed to his reward
yesterday afternoon.
1t was as the eyentide came that his
spirit left his body. The heat of the day
had passed. the cool of the evening had
come, and thus ended his last day, en-
blematic of his life work. He had made
hosts Of friends, for he was truly good
man, and many grieye because of his
death.
that the end came. During the day he
had been slowly sinking and it was known
that he could not live much longer. When
this was seen kilograms were at once sent
to absent members OF the family, telling
them of the impending sad event.
Major McPheeters had passed his
sewenty-fifth year, but up to some two
years ago had been active in business
life. At that time his age began to tell
on him. and he gradually lost the use Of
his lower limbs, the attack having the
dppNdi dHCS VI PAL dlyCiS. II VI OYCA q ySdA
he has been compelled to use roller
chair with an attendant in going from
place to place, and where ever he was
seen there was a kindly smile from him
with warm greeting, for he loved his fell
low men. Two weeks ago he was on the
street, but he grew weaker and since
last Friday, has not spoken. He be
came unconscious yesterday morning and
this lasted till death claimed him.
Major McPheeters was married on the
thirteenth OF March, 1861, his BRIDE being
Miss Fannie LeItwIeh, of Liberty, Va,
who survives him, with their children,
Mrs. Samuel M. Inman, formerly OF At
lanta, now of New York; A. M. McPhee-
tiers, Jr., Samuel B. McPheeters, attorney
at law, st. Louis, Mo-. Wilnam L. Nc
Pheeters, insurance business, Atlanta, Ca.
Miss Susan McPheeters and Miss Margaret
The absent members of the
family are now on their way mere, Mrs
Inman and Miss Margaret McPheeters
coming from Poland, Maine, where they
had gone for the summer. The home life
OF Major McPheeters was a most happy
one.
Major McPheeters was born in Raleigh
on the twenty ninth OF March. 1928, his
father being Rev. William McPheeters, D.
D., who IN 1918 came to Raleigh from
Virginia to take charge OF the Raleigh
Male Academy ana as pastor OF the city.
serving in the Presbyterian church. He
died while his son was a lad, and young
McPheeters, after his early education was
a student in the school OF Prof. Gray in
this city finishing his course there. While
still a youth he went to Norfolk where he
was a clerk for some time and after
wards successfully engaged in the commits
sion business. While in business there a
burglar entered his store and in graphing
with him Mr.. McPheeters was thrown over
a box, his leg being injured. From this
injury he never fully recovered and was
to use a stick in walking. While
in Norfolk he was also the Transfer
Agent for freight sent from the South to
the North. these being consigned to
him for reshipment
He returned to Raleigh in 1862 at the
time of the capture of Norfolk. Here he
became the Executive Clerk for Gov
ernor Vance, holding the position from
1863 to 1866 and at the time of the
he was performing the duties OF
acting private secretary for Governor
Vance, the private secretary beng Major
M. S. Robbins who had succeeded Hon.
r. H. Battle. During the war he was of
great service to Governor Vance and the
State Departments because OF his official
with the Raleigh and CASTOR
Railroad and his knowledge of the mat
ters Of transportation and of obtaining
supplies.
After the war he and his brother formed
the firm of ]. G. McPheeters & Company,
which carried on cotton and commission
brokerage business. Later he conducted
4 bond and stock brokerage business and
continued in this up to the time his fail
ing health forced him to abandon all active
pursuits. In 1874 he was one of the in
operators of the Raleigh and Seaboard
He was one of the oldest life
members Of the North Carolina Agricul-