The Byington family plot is located in the Holly Ridge section of Rose Hill Cemetery. Buried within are parents James Lawrence and Caroline Jane (McClendon) Byington, sons Charles W. and Edward Telfair Byington, and daughter-in-law Elia Goode Byington (wife of Edward).
Macon Daily Telegraph (Georgia)
23 January 1869
DEATH OF J. L. BYINGTON. -- The community was shocked yesterday to hear of the sudden and unexpected death of the well-known proprietor of the Byington Hotel. He walked over to the Central Depot Tuesday morning, and, upon returning, complained of being ill, and thought he was going to have a chill. He went to his room, and was soon after seized with violent fever and inflammation of the stomach. He grew rapidly worse, until, at half-past ten yesterday morning, he died.
From a constant connection with hotels in Middle and South-Western Georgia, running back many years, he was know far and well; and the thousands of people who have so often shared his hospitality, will read this notice with the deepest regret. As a landlord, he had few superiors; as a citizen, father, and husband, he was respected and beloved. We mourn his loss as one who but yesterday walked among us in the full vigor of health and manhood, as a good citizen whose heart and hand were always open to charity, and who was ever true to his friends, true to his plighted word.
"Let the bells toll, another soul
Has crossed the Stygian river!"
Another article provides James's "disease was supposed to have been congestion of the bowels."
Macon Telegraph (Georgia)
Wednesday, 7 July 1897
Laid to RestCharles was born 1 October 1848 and died 17 June 1875 "at his home in Fort Valley [Georgia]...after a long and protracted illness."
...The funeral of Mrs. J. L. Byington, whose death occurred on Monday morning, took place from her late residence, on Spring Street, yesterday afternoon.
There were quite a large number of friends in attendance, and the services were conducted by Rev. Dr. White, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, assisted by Rev. Wm. McKay. Mrs. Byington was born in Laurens County, Ga., August 11, 1822, and therefore lacked only a few weeks of completing her seventy-fifth year.
For many years prior to 1860 she resided in Albany, and for many years after that time at Fort Valley, at both of which places her husband, the late James L. Byington, was successfully engaged in the hotel business. Mr. Byington moved from Fort Valley to Macon in 1867, and was engaged in business in this city until his death in 1869. Mrs. Byington was a woman of many rare virtues, and her beauty of character had drawn about her a large circle of devoted friends whose hearts have been saddened by her passing away.
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| Image by James Allen. |
It does not appear that Edward has an inscribed grave marker, but is possibly buried near his wife of fifty years.
Tampa Bay Times (St. Petersburg, Florida)
Monday, 7 March 1927 - pg. 2
Old Friends Mourn Death of Colonel E. T. ByingtonElia, wife of Edward, was a daughter of Charles T. and Cornelia (Warren) Goode, both of whom rest in Evergreen Cemetery at Perry, Houston County, Georgia.
By Jake Houston
Old friends of a generation that is almost forgotten are mourning the passing of Edward Telfair Byington, 73, who died at his home, 445 Second avenue south Saturday night, and who for 50 years has been identified with southern journalism.
Born in Albany Georgia, Colonel Byington, was a pioneer of the first large movement of population to Florida in the 90's. A year after the founding of Miami, 32 years ago, by Henry M. Flagler, found Col. Byington in this new resort as publisher of the News, which has since grown into the Miami Herald of today.
From that time till a few weeks before his death, Mr. Byington played an inspirational and responsible part in the rapid development of both east and west coast of Florida, through his editorial and special work for Miami publications, the Tampa Times, and Pinellas county newspapers, the St. Petersburg Times, the Tarpon Springs Leader, the Clearwater Sun, and the Evening Independent. Up until a few weeks before his death he was contributing editor on the Independent, writing anonymously, but with full command of his faculties and experience of more than 30 years of Florida progress.
His work brought him in contact with that first generation of Florida builders, Henry Flagler, of the Florida East Coast railway, whom he numbered among his friends; Henry M. Plant, of the west coast railroad development, and scores of others, who have passed on before him. He knew the story of the progress of Florida to 1925 probably better than any other man from his close association with the leaders of the movement.
His early newspaper success began with the Atlanta Journal, on which he served as city editor under John Paul Jones. He established in 1886 the Columbus Ledger, the first afternoon daily in that city, which he later sold. He served as editor of the Jacksonville Herald under the ownership of John Temple Graves and Henry Clarke, prior to his first venture in Miami, just after the completion of the railroad, when the place was no more than a small scattered grove center and hardly visioned health and winter resort.
Mr. Byington was the son of Caroline Jane McLendon, and James Lawrence Byington, old Georgia families. For many years he has been a member of the Christian Science church. Many of his friends knew his [sic] always as Colonel Byington -- the title echoing the days when his trenchant editorials on Georgia politics won his statewide recognition and a place on the staff of a Georgia governor of the 80's.
With Mrs. Byington, who was his active partner in many newspaper activities, and who survives him, Mr. Byington saw their 50th wedding anniversary pass on Jan. 17. They were married in Perry, Georgia. Two nieces, the Misses Lucy and Willie Collier of Tampa, also survive. Rhodes Funeral Co., is in charge of arrangements.
Interment will be in the family plot in beautiful Rose Hill Cemetery, Macon, Ga., Tuesday. Mrs. Byington, and Miss Lucy and Willie Collier will leave this morning to attend the last services in Macon.
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| Image by James Allen. |
