The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1921-12-15
JOHN McGILL BROWN.
Well Known kingstree Merchant
Died Suddenly Friday.

popular merchant of this place, died
suddenly at his home Friday morning
about IL o'clock, and his remains were
laid to rest in the Williamsburg ceme-
terry at noon Saturday, following
funeral services at the Baptist church
conducted by his pastor, the Rev
Frank c. Hawkins, assisted by the
Rev. John Davis of the Presbyterian
church. Mr.. Brown was in his usual
health Thursday, arose Friday morn
ing and attended to chores about the
home. For some time past he had
been suffering from high blood pres
sure and his physicians had ordered
him to keep quiet and remain in bed
This he disregarded to a great extent
and continued to attend to business
at his store and OH the cotton plat
form. He was born and reared in
the Cedar Swamp section of this
county and had conducted mercan-
tile business in Kingstree for the past
Is years. He was an officer in the
Kingstree Baptist church, a member
of the Masonic lodge here, one Of the
trustees of the Kingstree school
district and secretary and treas
urer of the local camp, Woodmen OF
the World. He was widely known in
the county and beloved for his genial
ity and kindly disposition. His store
and his home was place of welcome
to every one who called and especial
ly to people from the county who
came to town for days shopping.
Mr.. Brown is survived by his wife and
three children.
At the funeral Saturday morning,
the Baptist church was filled with
friends and fellow citizens of the
deceased and his bereaved family.
In the course of his remarks the Rev.
Mr.. Hawkins said:
"John McGill Brown was born at
Cedar Swamp, Williamsburg county,
July 10Th, 1876, and died at his nome
in Kingstree, December 9th, 1921.
Twelve years ago he married Mrs.
Essie Baskin, who was formerly Miss
McCants. His wife and three little
girls, Mary Essie, Florence and JON
ME Sue, survive him. Besides these
are his aged mother, Mrs. Mary
Brown, and three brothers-Messrs'
Dexter Arthur Brown, Abner Dickey
Brown and William Edwin Brown.
"Mr. Brown was an active business
man of Kingstree, being engaged in
the mercantile and cotton business
AS a public spirit citizen he cooper
ated in every movement for the bet
terment of his town and county. He
was a trustee of the public schools
of Kingstree, member of the Billy
Sunday Club, Masor and w. o. W.
"Mr. Browns father died when he
was but twelve years of age, leaving
the mother and a large family of chil-
dren without dollar of insurance
The heroic struggle CT the widowed
mother to rear her children is an in
spring account. Like every real
mother, she sought to rear her chill
dren in the fear of God and service
of ones fellow men. John was no.
strong enough for the farm, so in
family council it was decided, upon
the suggestion of the mother, that
he be given q business education
This was done and is doubtless re-
sponsible, along with sturdy personal
application, for his success as bust
ness man. Later in life Mr.. Brown
offered to repay this money spent on
his education to his mother and broth
ers, which they refused to accept.
"His character and opinion was
valued by large number of men who
advised with him on matters of per-
sonal, political and community inter
est. This was service tc which he
gave himself in a truly unselfish way
, and by a large host of farmers and
friends who felt at home in his store
and who valued his council, he will
be sincerely missed.
Character and worth are not pro-
duced by accident. 1t is the one val
ue that survives time and eternity.
To a neighbor and minister Of the
gospel he remarked that, ~ try to
remember my Lord always" 1t is
not as we take this for our ideal and
as we are successful in approaching
ever nearer to it, that we become real
men? Good men crave nothing more
than to be such public and private
citizens that they shall be missed. He
was a good husband and father and
always kind to his mother.