A Sketch of His Public Service
by his Friend, Comrade and Relative
D. G. Fleming

John Wilson Lancaster was born in Pulaski County, only a few miles distant from his late residence, on August 1, 1843. His father, William Lancaster, preceded him to the Great Beyond only a few years since. He joined the Baptist church in early manhood, and being one of the constituting members of Corinth church in the latter sixties, he remained a devoted and consistent member of that church the remainder of his life. His funeral was conducted by his pastor, Rev. J. M. Henderson, at his late residence on Sunday afternoon, October 11th.

He was married December 15, 1869, to Miss Marina E. Fleming, which union was a most happy one until dissolved by the death of the latter in 1907. They are survived by one daughter, Mrs. J. H. Mullis, Sr., of Cochran, and one son, W. A. Lancaster, who with his wife and two children, made their home with the father until his death. He is also survived by two brothers, Robert J. and P. Frank Lancaster, both honored residents of Pulaski county, and by four sisters, Mrs. D. T. Daniel, of this county, Mrs. M. E. Baggett, of Dublin, Mrs. Dr. D. M. Buchan, of Eastman, and Mrs. Wingfield Betts, of Wray, Ga.

He was followed to the grave, the old Fleming burial ground, about one mile from his residency, by one of the longest processions ever seen in this section, estimated by many as more than a mile long. The pallbearers at the residence were his associates in office, H. A. Haskins, L. C. Ryan, J. R. Rogers, J. J. Pollock, W. B. Richardson, and J. B. Lewis. The services at the grave were conducted under the impressive ceremonies of the Woodmen of the World, of which order he had been a member for several years.

Being residents of different sections of the county in our boyhood days, I am not prepared to portray the early life of my comrade, friend and relative. My purpose is only to give a brief account of his public service.

His first public service was as a Confederate solider. It were vain for me to attempt to describe this transcendent star in the bright constellation of the public services of this patriot. Words, though they emanate from lips and tongue of a Hill, a Toombs or a Grady, or flow from the pen of a Pendleton, a Howell or a Graves, would pale into insignificance when placed alongside the eloquence of the empty sleeve so familiar to us all. I shall therefore attempt in my feeble way only to give my testimony as to how that sleeve was emptied of once strong arm.

On the 18th of April, 1861, he left his home, his loved ones behind, going to Virginia with Pulaski's first company of Volunteers, which became Company G of the Eighth Georgia Regiment, which he afterwards helped the immortal Bartow and others to make famous. The history of that company and that regiment was John Lancaster's history -- from Richmond to Harper's Ferry, to Winchester, Manassas, Yorktown, Seven Days Battle in Front of Richmond -- until the 29th of August, 1862, late in the afternoon, while his command, making its way by forced marches to the help of Stonewall Jackson, who was fighting the second Battle of Manassas, it found its way impeded at Thoroughfare Gap by the enemy in strong force. The Gap being closed, the only way to Jackson's relief was for the command to fight its way up and over the mountains, which was done, but in the effort an arm was left in the field. That, of course, closed his active service for his country during the war.

The remaining years of the conflict, and the first two or three after its close, was devoted by this comrade to preparation for further public service in civil life. Schools were scattered and very inefficient in his boyhood days, and like most of us, his education was quite limited. He studied hard, part of his time at Penfield (Mercer) and at Milledgeville. He afterwards taught one or two years near his home.

Not long after the war closed the people of our county, recognizing his excellent qualities and knowing his integrity, elected him sheriff. This position not being exactly to his tastes and talents, he asked for and readily obtained the position of county treasurer. Some time later he was given the more remunerative office of tax collector and receiver, which two offices were consolidated for a time. On separation of the offices about 1881, he was continued as tax collector until January 1, 1883, when he was further promoted to the office of clerk of Superior court. The latter office he filled continuously to the full satisfaction of all our people till his death.

From 1861 till the present time the duties of this writer have been such that I can attest of my own knowledge the faithfulness and efficiency of John Lancaster in all positions of public trust and service. His death illustrates in a peculiar manner how a merciful Providence grants His children their wishes. Like his old associate in office, Judge P. T. McGriff, it was Mr. Lancaster's last ambition to die in the discharge of the duties to which he was so faithfully devoted.

On Friday, October 9th, only a few hours prior to his entering into his final rest, exactly how many it is not for us to know, he was at his desk in the court room assisting the Judge and other officials in conducting the court then in session.

Among the many good characteristics of my comrade were his loyalty to his friend, magnanimity to enemies if he could claim one, charity in all its departments and trust in his Great Master. One is especially notable, that of befriending the weak in any contest demanding friendship from either side. One gentleman tells me of an incident occurring at Penfield, which made this gentleman a lasting friend. That was the interference of Mr. Lancaster, preventing a larger boy from imposing on him, a small lad.

Pardon an incident or two illustrating John Lancaster's extreme popularity with the people of Pulaski county, including what is now Bleckley and perhaps a part of Dodge county. At one time, when he was a candidate for county treasurer a very good man and popular citizen also decided to contend for the place. The citizen approached one of our best men and asked his vote. The reply was unique as well as positive: "Look here, you quit this race unless you want to get badly beaten. Why that man Lancaster could have defeated Stonewall Jackson or Robert E. Lee in their palmiest days for any office."

In later years, when he had strenuous opposition for office, this remark could be heard on all sides: "Well, if he had two arms I could not vote against such a gentleman; as it is I shall vote for him until that arm grows out again, no matter what office he wants."

This tribute may appear too long. If so my only apology is that I could not make it shorter and do justice to the subject.