Tribute to Joseph Chandler by his Old School Mate

Col. John P. Thomas of Columbia, who attended The Citadel at the same time the late Maj. Joseph B. Chandler did, wrote and had published in the Columbia State the following tribute to Maj. Chandler last week:
The surviving members of The Citadel class of 1851 are again called upon to lament the death of an esteemed comrade–J.B. Chandler. Born in Sumter county, S.C., Dec. 14, 1827, Major Chandler died at his home in Williamsburg county, April 20, 1897. Removing to Williamsburg after his graduation from the South Carolina Military academy, he at once engaged in farming. When the war came on, he entered the service, and for four years did his duty to the State and the Confederacy.
After the close of the war, Maj. Chandler resumed the pursuit of the farmer, which he followed with marked success. For 43 years, he maintained with mutual satisfaction, business relations with the well-known firm of E.H. Frost & Co.
Having won the confidence of the community in which he resided, he was elected to represent his county for several terms in the popular branch of the general assembly. His career as a legislator was one useful to the State and honorable to him. He served on the committee of ways and means, where he impressed his fellow members with his good judgment and his fine sense of truth and justice.
The element of religion was influential in his nature and in his life. A Christian man, devoted to his church, in which he served long as one of its elders, he spent his years, as we are informed by one who knew him well, in doing good to others.
Gravity of character and of deportment was one of Chandler's traits, and this was linked with dignity of bearing and excellence of conduct.
In his death, the State loses one of its best citizens and his Alma Mater one of her worthiest sons.

The County Record, May 6, 1897