Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1914-09-23
JOHN EsKEw DIED THURSDAY.
Prominent Citizen of Anderson, Well
known in OcOnce.
(AndersOn Mail, l7th.)


John Eskcw died on Thursday morn
ing at his Old home three miles north
Of the city, after an illness extending
over about nine weeks. Ills illness
was Spftening Of tn. brain and his
suffering at times was intense. His
last public appearance was on the day
Of the last primary. Though suffer
ing greatly and much enfeebled in
body, and in mind, he said he had
always done his duty toward his ma
tive State and he felt that he had
one more duty to perform before he
died and that was TO vote, and ne
had himself brought to the polls aud
cast his vote.
John Eskew was the third son of
the late Elliott Eskcw and his wife,
Catharine BurriSs. Il sister of the
late Rev. Jacob Burriss, a family that
showed its. love for South Carolina by
sending four sons 10 the Confederate
army, all of whom rendered valiant
service.
At the beginning OF the war John
Eskew enlisted ir Company d, OrY's
Rifles, and did some service at first
on Sullivan's island, IN Charleston
harh0r, and soon after was transfer
rcd TO the Army OF Northern Viz
ginia. where it had its baptism of fire
in the battle OF Seven Pines, and
thcHc"torward participated in all
the battles of that army on to the
lat"iiI day at AppOmattoX.
Eariv in the war his command vas
Put in McGOwan's Brigade, in he
famous corps OF Stonewall jackson,
and had part in JacksonS famous
Hdnk movement around Hooker's right
at Characteristic, and this writer
has often heard him tell Of that fam
Ous movement that has since become
L part OF the military instructions IN
various military schools in Euronp.
On the march, in the camp or biz
ouac. on the picket post Or the firing
line. John Eskcw was always ready
to respond to the call Of duty. At
Second Manassas he shed his blood
on his country'S altar, which pre-
vented him from sharing in the Mary
land campaign. But at the celebrat-
ed battle of Gettysburg he was' with
his regiment, and at the reunion on
the 50th anniversary Of that battle
the writer listened with delight to his
story Of his brigade's participation
in that battle and rode with him all
over Seminary Ridge, CeS&ery
Heights and Little Round Tor and
other portions of the battle gro1nd.
The war being ended, John Eskew
came home, and the same qualities
that made him good soldier exhibit
ed themselves IL his efforts TO re-
trieve the broken fortunes Of the war.
He went to work with indomitable
energy and industry and succeeded in
accumulating a competence for him.
self and family.
In 1865 he made a public profess
sion of religion and Joined the Bap-
tiSt church at New Prospect and later
transferred to Salem, and he made
as good a soldier Of the Cross as he
had been a soldier OF the Confede-
racy and lived consistent life,
adorning his profession.
In December, 1866, he married
Miss Amanda BurriSs, a daughter of
the late Rev. Jacob BurriSS, and to
this union three children were born.
only one Of whom, J. Thomas Eskew,
survives lie was born on the 3th Of
April, 1871, and was, therefore, 73
years old at his last birthday
Taps have sounded for the Old SOL
dicr and he has laid down his arms
and surrendered to the last grim en-
cmy. No more will be heard the
sound Of that CHEEKY voice and that
jolly good humOr that enliycned the
camp and the march and every vete-
rams gathering, and we feel sure the
old veteran has heard and obeyed
the command Of the great chicftain
well done, thou good and faithful
servant, enter thou into the 10y Of
thy Lord. That voice that delight
ed in singing the songs OF Zion is
doubtless now attuned to that Of the
heavenly choir, and he is now Joining
in singing "All Hail the Power Of
Jesus Name" and casting his crown
at His blessed feet and ascribing to
Him the glory of his salvation.
L'nrpu DlI Inp,rnIo ,o,,