No greater shock nor deeper sorrow has ever come over the little city of Dallas than the sad news of the sudden death of Mr. C.C. Cornwell Friday night about 10 o’clock at his home there, and no one will be greater missed.
Mr. Cornwell was in his usual health with the exception of a slight cold and in conversation with the Dallas reporter about 7 o’clock Friday evening was revealing plans for greater publicity for Dallas, for he had been a realty dealer for Gastonia and Dallas for the past three years. Later he went for a short walk and upon returning lay down upon the lounge to study for a little while, as was his daily custom, the Sunday school lesson, when the summons came.
Mr. Cecil Cornwell was in the yard in conversation with a friend and Mrs. Cornwell was in another part of the house. Going in once she thought he was asleep and did not disturb him. Going to him a little later she called, but he could not answer. Friends and a physician were called at once but it was found that he had passed away some 15 or 20 minutes before.
Mr. Cornwell’s life was as near perfect as one can live here with absolute faith and trust in God, faithful his whole life to His service. A devoted father and husband, serving in every way possible his county, city and community and his host of friends.
Deceased was born in Lincolnton, Lincoln county, on December 19, 1852, and spent the earlier years of his life in his native town. He remained at the home of his father, Mr. John J. Cornwell, until he was 18 years of age. He attended school and taught alternately. After receiving his preliminary education at the old field school he attended Rutherford College for four years. He removed from Lincolnton to McAdenville, where he taught school three years. In 1887 he accepted a position as secretary and treasurer of the old Redwood Cotton Mills located on the South Fork about a mile from the present site of McAdenville. The mill burned down in 18890 and Mr. Cornwell bought out the mill stock of general merchandise and moved it to Lowell. Here he was associated in business with Messrs. S.M. Robinson and J.R. Reid, later moving his place of business to Albany, near McAdenville. Here he continued in business until he was elected clerk of the court on August 19, 1898, when he sold out his merchandise business and moved to Dallas, where he has resided since.
The fact that any man holds a county office, especially one as important as that of clerk of the Superior Court, for 20 years is all the evidence the public wants that the one holding that office is efficient and discharges the duties of his office with ability.
Mr. Cornwell was twice married. The first time to Miss Lenora E. Summey of Lincolnton, to whom were born five children: Mrs. Merz of Oakland, California, S.C. Cornwell, deceased, L.C. Cornwell of Charlotte, Marvin L. Cornwell of Dallas, and Mrs. Heloise Barfield of Collettsville, N.C. In 1899 he was married to Miss Annie Elizabeth Hall of Gravel Hill, Va. To this union were born three boys, one dying in infancy, little Wilbur Cornwell, died at the age of 5, and Mr. Cecil Cornwell, who lives at the home here. Surviving also is one sister, Miss Emma Cornwell of Gastonia.
Funeral services will be conducted Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock at the Dallas Methodist church, the church where he served so long and faithfully, and interment will take place at the Presbyterian cemetery in Dallas.
The following little sketch from the Southern Christian Advocate gives an insight into his one strong characteristic:
A Faithful Superintendent
It would, perhaps, be hard to find a more faithful superintendent than C.C. Cornwell of the Methodist Sunday school at Dallas, N.C. Brother Cornwell had charge of the Methodist Sunday school at Lowell, N.C., for 15 years; and when he moved to Dallas, nearly 16 years ago, he found that his reputation had gone ahead and that the school was waiting for him. He has not been absent once in 30 consecutive years except in cases of sickness or necessity. He always appears before his school with the lesson thoroughly studied and never fails to make some helpful and interesting comments.
Brother Cornwell is a man of fervent piety. He counts his friends by the hundreds and, because of his good will and sympathy for mankind, he is loved by all.
From the front page of the Gastonia Gazette, July 8, 1922
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