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Wednesday, August 31, 2022

M.G. McKenzie Died Tuesday, Aug. 31, 1922

M.G. McKenzie Answers Final Call. . . Prominent Citizen of Robeson Died Here Tuesday. . . Well-Known and Beloved Citizen Died Yesterday—Funeral Here and Interment in Maxton This Afternoon—Confederate Soldier, Former County Treasurer and Active in Good Works.

Mr. M.G. McKenzie, well-known Lumberton citizen, died Tuesday evening at his home, North Elm street, of the infirmities of old age. Deceased had been in ill health for several months, confined to his room for about 4 months, and death was not unexpected. His widow, who before her marriage with Miss Lenora McKinnon of Montgomery county, and six children survive. The surviving children are: two daughters—Mrs. W.O. Brewer of Romeo, Fla., and Miss Ida McKenzie of Lumberton—and four sons—Messrs. J.S. of Wilmington, W.B. of Wimauma, Fla., G.S. of Newport News, Va., and L.M. of Lumberton. All of the children living out-of-town except Mr. G.S. McKenzie of Newport News, who is unable to leave home on account of the serious illness of his wife, are here for the funeral.

The funeral is going to be conducted from the Presbyterian church, here, at the time of going to press and the remains will be carried to Maxton for interment immediately following the service here.

Story of His Life

Murdock Gaston McKenzie was born in Moore county on June 5, 1844, and was therefore in his 79th year. He moved to Maxton in the year 1888 and was editor of the Scottish Chief for a number of years. He was appointed county treasurer in the year 1906 to fill out the unexpired term of the late A.A. McLean, who died while holding this office. Mr. McKenzie held the office continuously until it was abolished by the Legislature in 1916. The large vote he received each election year showed something of the esteem in which he was held by the voters of the county.

Confederate Soldier

Deceased served in the Confederate army during the War Between the States and was defending Fort Fisher when it fell to the enemy. Returning home at the close of the conflict, he took an active part in the political fights that followed. He was a strong Democrat and was ever ready to battle the principals of his party. The first political office with which he was honored was that of Mayor of his home town, Manley, Moore county. After moving to Maxton he served two or three terms as town commissioner there. He was a justice of the peace from early manhood until the time of his death and officiated at more than 400 marriages.

Active in Church Work

Mr. McKenzie was a ruling elder of the Lumberton Presbyterian church at the time of his death and was also honorary superintendent of the Presbyterian Sunday school. He served as active superintendent of the school from a short time after he moved to Lumberton until a few years ago, when his health forbade his active services longer. He loved his church and the last time he left his home was to attend a church service early in April. He was an elder in the Maxton Presbyterian church while living there.

Gave Freely in Service to Others

It can be truly said of the subject of this sketch that he was a friend of man. He spent much of his time in looking after the interest of the poor and needy. For many years he saw to it that the inmates of Robeson county home were provided with a bountiful dinner on Thanksgiving Day. He also was for a number of years active head of the local associated charities organization. He was a member of Camp Willis H. Pope, Confederate veterans, and served as commander of the camp for a number of years. He never lost an opportunity to serve his fellow followers of Lee and Jackson.

Mr. McKenzie was indeed a prominent figure in the business, religious and political life of Robeson county for 34 years and in his passing his adopted county loses one of its oldest and most valued citizens.

From the front page of The Robesonian, Lumberton, N.C., Aug. 31, 1922. There’s a photo of Mr. McKenzie in the newspaper but the quality of the reproduction is poor.

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