The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1908-09-03
JNO. r. BELLINGER DEAD.
An Able Lawyer and Prominent
Citizen Passes Away.

An Able Lawyer and Prominent
Citizen Passes Away.
Jno. R. Bellinger, Esq, died at his
residence in this city last Thursday
afternoon, after a long and brave
struggle against an incurable dis
ease. Mr.. Bellinger had been in bad
health for months, and in the spring
he made a trip to New York for
treatment. Later he went to Missis-
sippi to a health resort, but he did
not improve and was forced to come
home several weeks ago. Since that
time he had shown some signs of
improvement. True he would have
bad attacks but would improve.
However, he had a severe attack
Wednesday night and grew worse
until the end came about four
o'clock Thursday afternoon.
The burial took place at South
end cemetery Friday afternoon,
the services being conducted by
Rev. S. Carey Beckwith, rector
of Grace Episcopal church, Char
lesion. The funeral was largely at
/
of the family, several from a dis
tance being present. The floral Of
ferings were numerous and hand
some, an especially beautiful piece
being that from Ornan Lodge A. F.
NJ, Of which Mr.. Bellinger was a
member. The pail bearers were:
Honorary w. Gilmore Simms, H.
J. Brabham, J. A. Porter, Chas. Car
roll Simms, Jones A. Williams, c.
M. Fielder, J. A. Byrd, H. L. O'Ban-
non.
Active: H. C. Folk, Jno. H. Cope,
DR.. v. w. Brabham, ]. D. Copeland,
Jr., j. F. Carter, w. NJ. Brabham.
Mr.. Bellinger is survived by his
wife and several children, as well as
two brothers and one sister. His
brothers are: Messrs. E. E. Bellin-
ger, of Charleston, and Chas. Bellin-
ger, of Beaufort, and his sister is
Mrs. F. 3 Lewis, of Birmingham,
Ala.
Jno. R. Bellinger was born in Wal
terboro March IA, 1851, and was So
years old at the time of his death.
He studied law in the Office of c. c.
Tracy, Esq, at WATERFORD, and was
admitted to the bar at the age OF Fl
years. He located in Blackville for
the practice of his profession, where
he remained for several years, then
moving to .Greenville. In 1896 he
moved to Bamberg. He married
Miss Cornelia Rice, of this place,
while he was practicing at Black
vile.
Mr.. Bellinger was a fine lawyer,
and had the best practice of any at
torney at the local bar. He was es-
sentially a student of the law and an
earnest and convincing advocate.
High toned and honorable, he won
his cases because he was con-
vinced himself of the justice of his
clients cause. AS citizen he was
enterprising, public spirited, and
progressive. Every movement look
ing to the good of the town and COM
munity had his hearty support. He
was an enthusiast in educational
matters, and was for years mem
Der of the board of trustees of the
Bamberg graded school, being Sec
retary and treasurer of. the board.
At the time of his death he was pres
ident of the Peoples Building and
Loan Association, a director of the
Bamberg Cotton Mills Co., and at
torney for Bamberg Banking Com
pany, the cotton mill and oil mill.
MIR. Bellinger was one of the very
brightest Masons in this State. HeI
was Past Irand master of the order,
a knight Templar. a Shriner, and
had been Grand High Priest OF the
Royal Arch Chapter in this State.
It has never been our good
fortune to meet a man so thorough
ly imbued with the principles
of Masonry as Mr.. Bellinger.
He loved the order as few men 90,
and it was his pleasure to instruct
men in those principles. He request
ed that he be not buried with Ma
sonic honors, for he esaid that all
knew how much he loved the order,
but he wanted to impress upon his
family and friends that his church
came first.
It was the pleasure and privilege
of the writer to know him well, and
few know as we'll the great love ne
bore humanity. Often he was mis-
understood, but it can be truly said
of him that he loved his fellowman
and was never 80 happy as when DO
ing what he could to make the world
brighter and happier. He loved his
home, his family, his friends, and no
one ever asked a kindness or MIN
that was not granted. He was one
of the South Carolina gentlemen who
are fast passing away, and the state
and community are poorer for MS
having gone.
The Vote for Magistrates.