The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1913-08-12

ArcnlteCt ana ruler OF the universe
has seen fit in His providence to re-
move from us our beloved brother and
Past Master, w. NJ. Conner, who de-
parted this life at San Antonio Texas,
at 1927 A. NJ, Aug. 4. 1918, whittier
he had gone In quest Of health.
Walter Morland Conner, our deceas-
ed brother, was born near Kosciusko,
Attala county, Mississippi, October 9,
1855. and was son of John L. and
Dolce M. Conner and grandson of
Sarah (George) Murff, the sister of our
late Senator ]. z. George.
Our deceased brother was united in
marriage to Miss Deania L. Sennett
at Macon, Mississippi, June 7. 1882,
and seven children were born to
them; namely, Edgar Earl Clyde
Raymond, Walter Marcus, Robert Cas-
sidy, Leonidas Hall. frankie Dean
and Leah Beth. OF these children
Walter NJ, Robert c., and frankie are
deceased. The widow and remaining
children survive to morn the death of
their departed husband and father.
Our deceased brother moved to Hat
tiesburg, Mississippi, in March, 1885,
where he resided continuously to the
time of his demise. During his early
life he engaged in agriculture, but,
after coming to Hattiesburg, followed
continuously mercantile and industri-
al pursuits and was successful in all
of the charter members and first d.
srectors of the First National Bank of
Commerce, organized in 1895 as Bank
of Commerce, and remained a di-
rector and one of the leading spirits
in that institution up to the time of
his death. He was at one time presi-
dent of the Columbia Compress Com
pany, a member of the firm OF o. w.
Conner & Co.. and of Conner Lumber
Company. president of Conner Shoe
Company, and was vice-president of
McInnis Canning Company at the
time of his death. His business grew
up in Hattiesburg. He was wide
awake and public spirited, and, as the
years came and went, lent great in
fiuence to the upbu1lding and pro-
gress of Hattiesburg. He welded a
marked influence over the commercial
and industrial affairs of the communi-
ty, and the business world feels and
mourns his loss.
! Our deceased brother became a
member of the First Baptist church
in this city in March, 1886, organized
and was elected superintendent of the
Sunday school about month later,
and held that position until his death.
He was ordained as deacon of the
church and also elected treasurer
thereof soon after he became a men,
Der, and held these positions to the
time of his death. He loved his church
and Sunday school with an unfailing
and ever increasing devotion, and
was untiring in his efforts to promote
them. His Christian life exerted a
powerful influence which will live on
and on
AS a private citizen, our deceased
brother stood and fought for civic vir-
! ture and was an aggressive and use
full citizen, always contending for the
suppression of crime and the enforce.
ment of law. While he did not care
for political preferment, he held the
office of mayor of the city of Hatties-
burg for two terms, 1889 and 1890, and
made splendid mayor and discharg.
ed the trust with credit and fidelity
to himself and community. The city
has lost one of its best and foremost
citizens. ..t
The home life Of our brother was
beautiful. He could never do enough
for his guests. He was a most de-
voted husband and father.
The Masonic career of our deceas
ed brother is worthy of emulation. He
was raised to Master Mason in early
manhood. He became affiliated with
this lodge soon after coming to Hat
tiesburg, and held the position of
Master therein for more than twelve
years, and held the office of Grand
Master of Masons in Mississippi dur
ing the year 1910. He was also a
member of Hattiesburg Chapter No
ia, Royal Arch Masons; Liberty
Council No. Z, Royal and Select Mas
tiers; Hattiesburg Commandery No
81, Knights Templars; Hamassa Tenn
pie, Ancient Arabic Order of Mobiles
of the Mystic Shrine, Meridian, Mis-
sissippi; and took the Scottish Rite
degrees in the fall of 1907 and was
elected president of the class of that
year.
Masonry never had more faithful
and deyoted friend and oh nnnion fha ~