The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-12-27

1&A
Ago Since which, Time He Has Been
q Complete Invalid.
MIR. John AcLaurtn, one OF the old
est and highly esteemed citizens
OF Wilmington passed away last night
shortly before seven O'Clock at hts
home in this city on the corner OF
Seventh and Orange streets. and the
news OF his demise will be heard with
profound regret by all who knew him
Nearly four years ago Mr.. McLaurin
was stricken with apoplexy and since
that time he has been ~speechless and
almost entirely helpless. and he has
been gradually sinking until the end
came last night. at the hour noted.
For the past six weeks there has been
{ decided decline noticeable in the
general condition of Mr.. MCLaurin and
loved ones realized that the end was
probably not far of. Death came. IL
is stated without much premonition
and it was only realized when the
breathing ceased that the end was ut
hand.
The deceased was about II years of
age and all of his life had been spent
in this city, He was a son OF the late
Mr. and Mrs. Neill McLaurin. his faith
er having been a native of Scotland
from whom certain noticeable charac-
teristics were inherited. He grew UP
as the average boy of his times did in
this city, receiving his school training
from the local educational institutions
His first business venture was in the
naval stores commission business. he
having finally become a member OF the
firm of Smith & McLaurin, whose place
of business was on Water street be-
tween Princess and Chestnut streets.
At the outbreak of the war in 1861
Mr.. McLaurin became a member OF the
with that company to the mouth of the
Cape Fear to take possession Of old
Fort Caswell. He served several
months in that company leaving the
service the latter part of 1861 to &C
cept the position as agent at Whining
ton for the Wilmington and Man
cester railroad, which he held for sew
eral years. leaving that company III
1865 or 1865 to go with tho naval
stores firm of A. A. Mofitt & Co, Mr..
McLaurin having been a silent part
lner in this business. He continued
with the Mofitt firm for several years,
! remaining with it until its failure was
announced in the los. In 1874 Mr.
o. the North Carolina Presbyterian.
then published in this city, and in 1876
no assumed control OF that paper, be-
ing from that time on for many years,
it's sole owner and editor. In 1888 he
solo part interest in that paper to
Rev. DR.. Rawlins who formerly lived
in this city, regafning entire possession
OF the paper by purchase two or three
years later. Mr.. McLaurin conducted
the religious journal ably and success
fully and he came to be we'll known
by Presbyterians throughout the state.
In 1896 he sold the Presbyterian to
Rev. A. J.. McKelway and the paper
was removed from Wilmington 20
Charlotte and its name changed to the
9 Presbyterian Standard" this now be-
ing one of the leading church papers
in the south.
After disposing of the paper, which
had seen the best years work Of his
life, Mr.. McLaurin had no regular
employment until in 1898 he became
deputy register of deeds of New Han
over county, retaining that position
until something more than three years
ago when he was incapacited from
work by the stroke Of paralysis which
brought about his death.
Mr.. McLaurin was n Of the ablest
members of the First Presbyterian
church of this city and he was next
to it's oldest elder. He vas a faithful
and consecrated church officer and was
active in all undertakings that We're for
the betterment of men.
Many years ago Mr.. McLaurin was
married to Miss Blanks Of this city
and she preceded him TO the grave only
four or five years. Surviving the Dc
ceased are three children, Mrs. w.
VI. Parsley and Miss Sallie McLaurin
Of this city and Mrs. w. II. Jones Of
Durham, and one sis,er, Mrs. Michael
CrOnly Of Wilmington, all Of whom
will have the tender ~sympathies of
many friends in their bereavement.
A gentleman who knew the deceased
in speaking o. him last night said
that he was distinctly a positive char
acter; that he was firm and fearless
III standing for whatever h. thought
was right and would probably have died
in support Of MS convictions. He was
devoted 10 the interests of the city and
vas we'll acquainted with its history,
written several interesting ar
rrrIn- y-bf~h horra rod in nrTnT