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Note: Newpaper is unknown, however a copy of the following was included with the family bible - Although it is against our rule to print Obituary notices because they are rarely of interest to any except half a dozen new kinsmen, we make an exception in favor of the following because it relates to one who in private life, though "only a farmer" exhibited the moral traits and the love of knowledge, that might have made him a figure largely in teh newspapers had he adopted a more ambitious calling.
For the Farmer and Mechanic.
John Joseph Lane McMullers was born March 2, 1810 and died Dec. 19th, 1880, aged seventy years, 9 months, and seventeen days. He was a son of Col. Mathew McCullers, of the Revolutionary war. He was the last surviving member of the family of nine children, and the first deceased one of his own family of eleven children. His mother was Miss Sarah Lane, of a family of considerable note during the past century, she being a daughter of Joseph Lane, and a cousin of Gen. Joe Lane, of Oregon, Vice-President of the Breckenridge ticket in 1860.
Mr. McCullers was married Dec. 10, 1835 to Miss Millia Richardson Nance (Willa), daughter of Elder George Nance of Primitive Baptist church. At the early age of sixteen he had the misfortune to loose his father and was left with the sole care of his aged mother, who survived until about the year 1844 or '45. Although thus deprived o fthe advantages of a scholastic education, notwithstanding all the disadvantages of his situation, his duty to his aged parent - and his labors - his thirst for knowledge led him at once to apply himself diligently to study at night, and a course of reading so that he acquired a thorough acquaintnce with almost every branch of knowledge, particularly Literature. His mind possessed such versatility and familarity with all our best authors that but few could command a greater fund of useful information or express it better. His conversation was distinguished for sound practical judgement -replete with humor, and he possessed the power of not only pleasing, but imparting information to others on all subjects calculated to interest, instruct, or amuse. He was passionately fond of music and possessed a fine soprano voice, which caused him to become the leader of all the choirs in teh different churches around him during the greater portion of his life. He was a man of sterling character, on whom the breath of slander never dared breather a foul reproach. Pure and spotless in life, in death he died as he had lived peacefully; and as he had "Naught to wipe out, naught to extenuate, nothing in malice set down!" So much fo a life of strictest integrity, and honesty of purpose!
After the close of the war, when everything was swept away, except the dear old homestead, where his parents had lived and died, where he had grown old", and raised a numerous family. He preferred rather to labor himself, than sacrifice a foot of the soil so dear to him; his heritage. He preferred the esteem and confidence of all who knew him; the respect and admiration of his numerous friends; the love and veneration of his family, and leave to the world a pure record of virtuous habits and a spotless life. He was a firm, zealous patriot, though never actively engaged in political affairs, he took a great interest in the public welfare, and was well informed on the political history of the times and on all matters pertaining to the public good. Born and raised a farmer, he aspired to no higher rank.
He came in some respects of a remarkable family. His great/grandfather, McCullers was kidnapped off the coast of Scottland or Wales, when only 3 years old, and adopted by Col. Jones of Halifax county. At manhood he married his daughter and only child, and from this union sprung the McCullers family. If the Lane family, our oldest inhabitants can remember, the site on which the capital now stands was their home and some of our best families can boast a decent from that branch.
The writer has understood that the late Gov. Swain, a descendant, possessed a family tree, giving in detail each member, and well remembers when Gen. Joe Lane was candidate for vice President that he visited Raleigh, his old home and was received by Mr. Henry Mordecai, another descendant with complimentary dining, where every Lane descendent was invited to meet him, and most cordially welcomed and magnificiently entertained.
We cannot do justice to the character of such a man, his example as his predessssors live in the lives of his posterity and his virtues will adorn their own journey through life. May each one emulate his example and may the light emitted from the readers of his character, illuminate their own, so that they may exclaim in his last words "Raise me up, let me be ready, the crowd, the crowd on before." Cleora.
"Should any one possessing information about the family tree, leave their address with the editor, they will receive the thanks of the family as the last link that bound them to the past is irreconverably broken.
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