The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1916-02-02
IN MEMORIAM.
John DOrrOh OWingS.


exemplary life Of our deceased friend
it is attempted with some hesitancy,
for fear that words penned by me
might detract from wcll-roundcd and
beautiful life and character; but ow-
ing to the lifelong friendship and i'm
plicit confidence that have mutually
| existed without Il single interruption
| | feel that | would be derelict in my
duty to friend and his family if did
not say something of his life and char
acter.
John Dorroh Owings was born Oc-
tobcr l2, 1865, and was reared near
Owings Station, Dial Township, where
he resided until he moved to this city.
In the early days Of his childhood and
youth-it was the time Of rcconstruc-
tiOn-thc South had been robbed of its
wealth, and poverty prevailed through
out the domain; for this reason, his
services were called, as many others
were, to help restore that which had
been destroyed by war. Therefore, his
education was limited to the teachings
of the common country school. Being
a young man Of determination, strong
will power and energy, at an early age
he, to great extent, assumed the
with his father, and by their asSocia-
ton he learned the lesson of honoring
his father and mother. from which he
never departed; for no one ever had
greater love and respect for parents
than he, and throughout his whole life
he always looked after their comfort.
welfare and happiness. | have, on
more than one occasion, spoken to him
words Of approval Of SO commcndablc
a virtue and assured him that he
would be amply rewarded here and
hereafter.
In early life he connected himself
with the Methodist church, and for
many years was Il consistent member
thereof. He, with the writer. joined
the Masonic and Woodmcn order sew
eral years ago, and more recently the
X. Of p. and Junior o. \. NJ, making
a true and faithful member, always OK
employing the brothcrly spirit and
fratcrnal fellowship, practicing one of
the great cardinal principles taught
by the craft, Charity for he never
turned the worthy poor away empty
handed.
On January q, 1907. he married Miss
Ellen Drummonl, Of this city, who,
with three children. -Drucila, John
ME and James survive him. With the
exception Of one year. when he was
deputy shcriT, he lived a private life
OH the farm until the year 1908, when
he was elected sheriff Of this county,
serving a fOui"ycar term. and was re-
c.cctcd in 1912. AS an officer he was
ft ithful diScharGing the duties thereof
in a most efficient and courteous man
lirmncss and consideration, yet never
Il.
0pprc SSivc. He was Il man Of strong
convictions, yet respecting the opin
ions of others. He was not a partisan,
hut broad minded kind and free heart
ed No man could be faircr and more
| opcn in his words, deeds and actions
| It was not his TO take undue advantage
OF any man. 1t was these and other
virtues that made him many friends
| who hold his memory in sacred rcvcr-
cncc. Although he was our senior it
was our privilege to be associated with
him in school, on the farm, in the fra
| tcrnal orders and in an official capaci-
| ty, and the tic Of friendship, fratcrnal
| feeling, and good will gradually grew
stronger as the days and years rolled
| by until it blended into a bright jewel
! or love and companionShip.
| And last and best. when he was in
| formed by his physician that his con-
| dltlOn was serious, he accepted il in q
| calm and submissive way, although ut
tering a prayer that it might be other
| wise; yet, if the great and good God
OF the universe so willcd that he be
tranSplantcd from this earth to the
blessed realms above, then Ills will,
not mine, be done" he mccllly said.
Then he began putting his house in
order, first Arranging for the comfort
of his family in the future, and when
this was done, his mind turned from
temporal to spiritual things. Consult
| ing with one OF the pastors of this
city, he made diligcnt inquiry as to the
plan of salvation in order that he
| might make his election sure. When
being told of the simplicity Of saliva
tion,-sO simple that a child could not
err therein, having trusting faith in
God by believing on him and his Word
he looked up into the pastors face
with that same open countcnancc sc
| familiar to his friends, and said in a
calm and firm manner, 81 will trust
Hin all the way"
SO, on the 9Th day of January, l9lG
at Meckcr. Col, as the sun was setting
| behind the cl0udcd pillar Of the noun
| ''in, "oihS "tlchacu Ny t"o lallnlul
and devoted sisters, he faded into ST.
lent, eternal sleep, and his spirit re-
turned to God who gave 1t, to await
the general resurrection Of the Saints
| And thus ended the life OF patriotic
citizen, faithful officer, dutiful son and
laffccti0nate father and husband And
while our deepest sympathy goes out
to the aged father, whose heart strongs
are torn asundcr, and to his bcrcavcd
wife children and other relatives, yet