OBITUARY: On last Wednesday evening at ten o'clock Mr. Joshua Rountree, one of the best known and one of the most beloved citizens of Swainsboro and Emanuel County, gave his soul up to eternal rest. Having been sick but about ten days, he began to sink rapidly, and although he approached the end very soon, his death was not entirely unexpected. Mr. Rountree was born on September 11th, 1847, and was sixty-four years old when the end came. He was reared in Emanuel County, has always taken an active interest in public affairs, and was a most useful citizen. When the war between the States broke out, Mr. Rountree enlisted in the service and was mustered out in 1865. He then began life teaching a school in the County. In 1870 he was elected Receiver of Tax Returns, which position he held one term. Later he was appointed County School Commissioner which position he held for nineteen years, and for the past several years he has been an active member of the County Board of Education, and was Chairman of this body when he died. He was always actively interested in the educational affairs of the county, and was ready at all times to lend an uplifting and upbuilding hand, and it is safe to say that he could have held any office in the gift of the people of his County. With the death of Mr. Rountree, Emanuel loses one of its best men; the family, a most loving husband; and father, a man who was ever charitable, kind and good, and one whose place will never be filled. He was an active member of the Primitive Baptist church and was very earnest in his religious devotion. Mr. Rountree is survived by five brothers and two sisters; a wife and thirteen children. His brothers are: Mr. E.D. Rountree, McLeod; Mr. A.J. Rountree, Summit; Mr. I.N.Rountree, Vidalia; Mr. W.G. Rountree, Cobbtown; and Mr. J.B. Rountree, Boston; his sisters are Mrs. Jane Barwick, Summit; and Mrs. Sarah Sutton, Durdenville. In 1870, Mr. Rountree was married to Miss Dora Sumner (and his second marriage with Miss Mattie Anderson who still survives him. By his first marriage, the children surviving are Mrs. John R. Powell, Mrs. J.C. Mason, Mr. W.M. Rountree,Mrs. Wylie F. Thompson, Mr. Julian R. Rountree, Mr. George S. Rountree, Mrs. T. Virgil Mikell and Mr. J. Clarke Rountree. By his second marriage he is survived by his wife, and five children: Lucile Rountree, Cecil Rountree, John Rountree, Martha Rountree and James Rountree. All Emanuel extends sympathy and joins with the family and those close to him in this their great loss. The interment will take place at the Swainsboro Cemetery. Printed in SFB( Swainsboro Forest Blade, Swainsboro, GA) 12-14-1911.