Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1915-02-03
BENJAMIN +. O'KELLEY DEAD.
One of Oldest Citizens of County
Passed Away Las; Friday.

The news OF the death OF Benjamin
Franklin O'Kellcy was brought to
Walhalla last Saturday morning, he
having died at his home northeast Of
West Union during Friday night.
Mr. O'Kelley was in his 92d year, he
having been born June 10, 1928. He
was native OF Oconee county, and
had always resided within the bounds
of the county.
"Uncle Ben O'Kclley was a quaint
figure in these parts. 1t seemed al
most, to the Younger generation, that
he had been here always. Our first
recollection OF the man was as he
came into town from his home in the
cOuntry-generally Walking-and
making merry with the children in
the streets as he chanced to meet
them. For many years it was his
custom % wear his hair long, his
gray locks falling in long ringlets
about his shoulders. 1t was this
feature about the man that always
marked him as quaint and proved an
attraction to the Juvenile mind.
Benjamin O'Kelley was we'll
read man, and in his day was con-
sidered among the best educated. He
possessed a remark able mind, reten-
tive, resourceful and of a searching
turn. For many years he had lived
in the past. and his quaint form and
manner marked him as a relic Of an
earlier day.
Mr.. O'Kelley bore the military title
Of major. In the days Of Old Pick
ems District he was major Of the mi
litia, and in the war he served the
Confederacy as member of Com
pany E, Rutledge's Cavalry. His
military record was good throughout,
he having made brave and daring
soldier. Many have wondered at the
long hair worn by this aged man. and
it is probably not generally known
why he maintained so persistcntly
this peculiar feature of his personal
appearance. 1t is stated and we
are informed that the statement is
reliable-that when he entered the
service Of his country. taking up
arms in behalf of the South's Cause.
he told his comrades that "until the
Confederacy shall have whipped the
Yankees | will never again cut my
hair" He kept his word, his flow
ing locks being 4 distinctive feature
OF the man until he went down into
the grave
Mr.. O'Kelley was one of the Oldest
members OF the Masonic fraternity in
Oconee. When the old PendletOn
Masonic Lodge was instituted he be-
came member there, and while he
had not in later years kept in active
touch with the order, he was ever a
Staunch admirer of 1T, and OCCASION
ally, until his health prevented, Wis
tied the lodge here. His Masonic
apron was placed in the coffin with
his body.
On December 10, 1913, Mr.. OKel-
ley married Miss Ara Knox, who sur
vlVes him. The aged widow, how
ever is in feeble health, and in the
natural order OF things must soon
cross over the river and Join her
companion. Seven children were
born to this union, four Of whom sur
vive, these being John OKellcy. who
resides near Wolf Stake; Mrs. p. G..
Allen, Of Walhalla; Mrs. Semanthe
Gibson, who lives near West Union
and Mrs. Lethia Watkins. who lives
near Walhalla. lie is also survived
by a number Of grandchildren and
great-grandchildrc
Mr.. O'Kelley lived to a good old
age-lOnger by far than is the aIlot-
ted span Of human life. He had his
faults and his virtues as has all man
kind. The long-familiar form is laid
to rest and henccfOrward the placn
that knew him so well will know him
no more forever save as a memory
Peace to his ashes.
On Sunday afternoon, i'm the pres
ence or large number of relatives
and friends Of the family. the re-
mains were lowered to their last res
ing place in the family burying-
ground at the old homestead. Fun
eral services were conducted by Rev.
l.. D. Mitchell, OF the Baptist church.
Mrs. O'Kelley. the widow Of the
deceased, is suffering at her home
from fall received more than year
ago, and is helpless i'm limb, but 9th
erwise her health is fairly good. She
is now in the 90th year of her age.
Mr.. O'Keiley suffered a stroke OF pa
ralYSis about year ago. The i'm
mediate cause Of death, however. was
due simply to the infrmities Of age.