Murphy Advance (Cherokee Co. NC) Friday, June 7, 1889:

"Topton---We were pleased to meet Mr. Stephen Whitaker, one of the old landmarks of this section. Mr. Whitaker owns more land through here than Carter had oats. Besides a good store of this world's goods that he has accumulated by industry, this gentleman has a kind word and a hearty shake of the hand for all. In this day and time we meet but few such men as Mr. Whitaker."
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Age 86 Years. His last words: Margaret, I must go! Turn me on my back and let me die. My God, Lord have mercy.
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N.C., Tuesday, June 5, 1900

MAJOR STEPHEN DECATUR WHITAKER OBITUARY

Andrews, May 31, 1900 – Capt. Stephen Whitaker, of this place, died at his home at 11 O'clock p.m. on the 20th inst. He was the fifth son of James Whitaker and wife Mary, and grandson of Joshua and Mary Whitaker, of Rowan County, N.C. He was born on Wednesday, February 9, 1814, in Swannanoa Valley, in the then wilds of Buncombe County, and moved with his father to Franklin, Macon County, in the year 1824, and in 1825 he moved with his father to Valley River, this County. He married Elizabeth, daughter of David and Mary Taylor, April 2, 1837, she preceding him nine years. There were 15 children born unto them, of whom 10 are now living. Two infants are buried here, two are lying in the west, but they left heirs in that country, one lying in Georgia, buried among strangers. She left one heir.

Now, it may be truthfully said that Stephen Whitaker was one of the pioneers of this grand country. He helped to lay out and construct the public roads and aided in furnishing material to build churches and school houses. At the land sale of 1838 he purchased from the State the farm upon which he raised his children, and was in the last permitted to die at the age of 86, in the presence of seven children, some grandchildren, other relatives and neighbors. By his indomitable courage and the judicial management of the net earnings of his farm, together with moneys held in trust for his children, he accumulated land clear of incumbrance for each child a good home.

The deceased as a Confederate veteran, first acted under authority of Col. W.H. Thomas as commissary at Camp Cooper, Chilhowee, Tenn., in the year1862. In September of that year he was authorized to raise a company. The first to volunteer was Joshua A. Young. His company (E) was mustered into service September 8, 1862. He did valiant service under the Southern cross in East Tennessee and Maryland under Gen. Early in 1864. In August of that year, he was discharged from the general hospital at Charlottesville, Va., with orders to proceed to Valleytown, NC, to await orders from his commanding officer, where he was soon put in command. On January 4, 1864, he was promoted to Major, and on hearing of the surrender of Lee and Johnson in April and Col. Thomas and Col. James R. Love at Asheville and Waynesville on May 8th and 9th, he went to Franklin with a truce and surrendered his men to Col. Kirk on May 12, 1865. Hence he was the last field officer to lay down his arms in Western North Carolina, and on the 21st day of September 1865, he took the oath of allegiance.

But the mind of man is such that we cannot follow in the footsteps of one who was permitted to live 86 years. We are unable to note the many changes wrought in such a life. But we may safely judge from the papers on file of the honest intention ot deal justly with mankind. Therefore, we feel sure, judging from such evidence, that he proved his faith by his works, believing as he did to help the pure and honest dealing was good religion. Life is a great mystery, but death is greater. The deceased was conscious to the last. He bore his afflictions without a murmur. He said people must die and for us not to be alarmed; that he must go. He asked us to turn him over on his back, so he could die. But said his life was prolonged one hour which he lived to a few seconds. He was laid by the side of his wife at 3 O'clock on the 22nd inst. In Valleytown cemetery.

How can one in the preparation for death be so calm if he had no hope? How could he bear his affliction with such fortitude? How could he tell that he must go and not to be alarmed, if he had no hope? Greater the mystery, how he knew his life was prolonged? How did he know he would live one more wretched night? Still greater the mystery how he knew he would only live just one hour. Was his life prolonged by some prayer or was it by his own request?
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