The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1915-03-11
FUNERAL OF COL. COUNTS.
Remains Laid to Rest in Restland
Cemetery Thursday.

week in Florence at the home OF his
daughter, Mrs. Sanders, were brought
to Bamberg on Thursday, and inter-
ment occurred in Restland cemetery.
Rev, w. R. Mcmillan conducting the
funeral services. The following gen
tlemen acted as active pallbearers:
Messrs G. Moye Dickinson. F. w.
Free, ]. J. ONeal, J. F. Carter, J.
J. Jones, j. C. Moye. The honorary
| pallbearers were Messrs A. McB.
Speaks, w. E. Spann, A. S. Easter
ling, W. |. Johns, w. NJ. Brabham,
n. z. Fielder. j. H. Hadwin, J. D.
| Copeland, Sr., c. R. Brabham, Sr.,
D. F. Hooton, J. T. O'Neal, G. Frank
Ramberg, Dr.. Covington, DR.. H. F.
Hoover.
Thomas ]. Counts, son Of David
and Elizabeth Counts, was born on
Isaackson's Branch, Barnwell coun-
ty, on the fourth day of July, 1927.
At the age of six years his mother
died, and at the age of eight his
father followed his mother to the
grave. Having no near relative to
care for him, he and his only brother
were placed in charge of MIR. Seth
Daniels, with whom they lived for
several years. While yet young
boy, Mr.. Daniels moved to the State
of Alabama, where they resided sew
eral years. The young men became
dissatisfied with Alabama, and with
the consent of their guardian, re-
turned to this State, driving an old
horse, given them by Mr.. Daniels,
through the country. They were
cared for back in this State by Mr..
w. J. Nixon, and resided at Barn
we'll village. They attended school
there for some years, and then de-
cided to enter into business at Gra-
hams Turnout. Soon after this, the
war with Mexico was declared, and
his brother went to the front, dying
few years after his return, from
the hardships of the Mexican cam
paign.
Col. Counts was married at the age
of 21 to Miss jamie S. Moye, daugh-
ter of Mr.. and Mrs. G. w. Moye, and
after his marriage, he retired from
the mercantile business to pursue
farming, on account of his i'll health.
The farm restored his health en-
tirely, and he continued to operate
his farming pursuits for many years.
Mrs. Counts died on Oct. 16, 1905,
being only few years his junior.
Soon after his marriage, Col.
Counts joined the Baptist church,
and continued a devout and consni-
entious Christian worker until his
death. In 1876, Col. Counts was
elected to the State senate from the
county of Barnwell, and served in
that Office with distinction for four
years. When Bamberg county was
formed, he was made the first mas
ter in equity. He held this office for
four years, and was then tendercu
the Office of referee in bankruptcy
for this county, serving in this capa-
city for several years. During his
S1st year. after suffering with de-
fective eyesight for many, years, Col.
Counts discovered that his eyesight
had returned to him, and he was
able to discard his glasses ientirely.
Seven children were born to Col.
and Mrs. Counts. The two eldest
died within 4s hours at the ages OF
one and three years. Several years
later three other children died with
in a period of three years, two Of
them leaving families.
Col. Counts derived his title by be-
ing elected colonel Of the 43rd regl-
ment of South Carolina militia, serv-
ing in this capacity with justice. abil-
ity and distinction for many years.
He was kind and affectionate
father and husband, apd the loss OF
his wife, after fifty-four years of mar
ried life, placed great burden OF
sorrow upon him, which he bore to
his death.
Col. Counts prepared for his faml-
ly a most interesting sketch of his
life, and the foregoing facts are TAX
en- therefrom. The sketch was not
prepared with any idea of puolica-
ton, but for his children and grand
children. All through the sketch
there runs a peculiar and strong af-
| fection and noble sentiments.
thoughtful advice and kind words
for his family and friends, whom he
numbered by the hundreds.
The passing of this venerable man
removes one of the human landmarks
of Bamberg. Always prominent in
public matters, devout in church du-
L. - L.,