As I Lay Dead One Day, ca 1898

This clipping was among the papers of James H. Moran III.  I was not able to locate an author and the first time it shows up in a google search is in Life Magazine volume 32 issue 816, 1898.  It was titled "Afterwards".  The clipping compares it to an earlier poem by Ben King ca 1894.

"This one from Life contains some features of Ben King's "If I Should Die To-Night"

As I lay dead one day,
  With all the people round,
"Poor boy!" I heard one say;
  "He'll soon be under ground.

"He owed me ten, but then"
  (He softly smoothed his brow),
"Twill not occur again;
  He cannot reach me now."

"How natural he looks,"
  Another said.  "Poor lad!
He was so fond of books--
  He borrowed all I had."

Another: "Poor, dear sould!
  He loved my dinners so!
How sad! Yet, on the whole
  "Twas best that he should go."

Another: "Ah! so young!
  So hard it is to think
His song was left unsung--
  They say he used to drink."

Another: "He was bright!
  How pitiful to fling
Such gifts away, He might
  Have done some clever thing."

And still another groaned,
  As in his chair he sank:
"His loss will be bemoaned--
  They say he was a crank."

As I lay dead one day,
  While waiting for the hearse,
I couldn't help but say;
  "This might have been much worse!"

Obituary and Funeral Notice of J.W. Moran, 1912

Last year marked the 100th anniversary of the death of  John W. Moran.  Since last years anniversary blog post I have come across more items relating to his death which I would like to share today on the 101st anniversary of his passing.  

Although I've posted this picture of him before it remains my favorite and so I wanted to share it again for those who may have missed it in the past.

Here is the Funeral Notice of John W. Moran.  I have included a bit of information and links when possible about the pallbearers.

Funeral Notice

C.H. and J.H. Moran request the

presence of the friends of their father,

J.W. MORAN

at his interment on the afternoon of 

Sunday, April 14, 1912.

Services at the Methodist Church in 

Dresden, at 2 o'clock p.m., by Revs. J.W. Irion and R.C. Douglas.

PALL BEARERS

   Active                   Honorary     

J.E. Jones            E.C. Lyon

G.S. Boyd           S.P. Scott

Shobe Smith        J.J. White

W.R. Bobbitt       T.E. Loyd

W.A. McCuan     G.W. Martin

T.A. McElwrath   Elbridge Wright

The Active Pallbearers:

Joseph E. Jones was the judge who presided over the famous  Night Rider Trials in Union City.

George Scott Boyd was a relative of the Moran family and a farmer and the cashier at the Bank of Dresden..  In 1928 he moved to Kingsport TN.

Shobe Smith was a dentist in Dresden.   W.R. Bobbitt was the druggist in Dresden and also was the proprietor of the Smith Hotel which he acquired in 1905.  He was also a one time suitor for the hand Fannie Moran, the eldest daughter of J.W. Moran.  I'm not exactly sure about W.A. McCuan yet.  I believe he may have been a tobacco farmer due to some correspondence I found relating to that topic.  I do know he owned The Kozy moving picture theater in Dresden but sold it in 1918.  Thomas Allen McElwrath owned a dry goods store in Dresden.  He eventually moved to Mayfield Kentucky.

Honorary Pallbearers:

Edward Coleman Lyon served as a Registrar in Dresden in 1904 and had served in the Confederate States of America.    Stephen Preston Scott served in the CSA and after the war was a miller in Dresden.  He was also a relative by marriage and I did a post on his daughters Cecile and Farrar sometime ago.  J.J. White had  served in the CSA alongside S.P. Scott in Company H, Russell's regiment.  T.E. Loyd was the Mayor of Dresden.  G.W. Martin has many accomplishments but the one I'll mention here is that he was the President of the Bank of Martin. Elbridge, which might actually be Eldridge, Wright also served in the Confederacy and was a farmer in Weakley County.

The following tribute was published in vol. 20, no. 6, 1912, of the Confederate Veteran.

John W. Moran

That no worthier man wore the Confederate gray than John Moran will stand all tests.  He was born in Dresden, Tenn., March 20, 1840; and died in a Nashville hospital April 12, 1912.  His father, James Moran, was a merchant of Dresden, and his mother was Miss Harriet Harris, of McLemoresville, Tenn. He was educated in the schools of his neighborhood.  He was of philosophic temperament; and while performing the duties that were incumbent upon him, his humor was proverbial and he was entertaining to his associates.

He was about ready for business life when the War of the States began, and he, together with a younger brother who soon surrendered his life in the cause of the Confederacy, enlisted in Company I, 31st Tennessee Infantry, in the brigade gallantly commanded by Brig. Gen. O.F. Strahl.  His first battle of importance was that of Perryville, Ky., in which the army and his company suffered heavily.  It had perhaps the largest percentage in killed and wounded of any company in that sanguinary battle.  He was wounded in the battle of Chickamauga.  He was again severely wounded in the battle of Franklin, and was long a sufferer in the hospital.  He frequently told a good story of his experience in the battle of Resaca.  he had captured a rabbit, which he secured in his shirt bosom, and of course had fond anticipations of a feast after the fight.  The battle waxed so hot, however, and his heart became so generous toward "Molly Cottontail" that he gave her freedom. He may have been author of the Zeb Vance story in saying: "Go it, Molly Cottontail! If I had no reputation at stake, I'd run too."  At all events, when the battle was over he regretted not having the rabbit for supper, as he had more appetite then than during the battle.

The funeral was conducted by Rev. J.W. Irion, assisted by the regular pastor of the M.E. Church, South, Rev. Mr. Douglass, and Rev. G.T. Mayo, pastor of the Baptist Church of Dresden.  It was largely attended.

Joseph E. Jones in an interesting sketch of Mr. Moran states that "he succeeded along all the lines of life that are worth while.  His business methods were open and above suspicion.  As possessor of a large fortune at his death, there was not in it all an unclean dollar."

Mr. George W. Martin, a life-long friend and a man who has long given liberally of his time and his means for the cause of education, paid high tribute to the deceased at the funeral and complied with the request of the Veteran in sending the manuscript that follows:

"The late John W. Moran, who died recently at St. Thomas Hospital, Nashville, on his way from Florida to his home in Dresden, Tenn., was one of the most prominent and best known citizens of his county.  His father was one of the early settlers of Dresden, and for many years was a leading merchant of the place.  John spent his entire life where he was born and reared, with the exception of four years in the Confederate army.  When not at school he was in the store assisting his father, and had just arrived at manhood when the War of the States began.  He volunteered early in the struggle, remaining throughout the entire war, and from the record given by his comrades no one performed his duties with greater fidelity and bravery than he.  He spoke often of the war, but claimed little for himself.  He took great pleasure in commending the noble acts of others, as he was accustomed to do through life.  He was a man of remarkable courage, but he used it with great discretion and justice.  He had excellent self-control and possessed decided opinions on all subjects, but expressed himself reasonably and rationally and always with a view of being just and truthful.

"As a successful merchant and banker his integrity was above reproach and never questioned by any one who had business relations with him, and he performed every duty put upon him with noble fidelity.  His integrity was of such high order that if I had met him in the most remote part of the world and he had been on his way to Weakley County I would have been willing to intrust (sic) my entire fortune, great or small, to him to deliver in Weakley County without the slightest fear of his failing to comply with my request literally.  His individual wants were few and easily supplied, but he spent his life in honest toil to supply the wants of his family and to fulfill his duty to the public, which he did admirably.

"John Moran was a well-developed and an 'all-round' man.  As husband, father, citizen, soldier, neighbor, he contributed well to all these relations.  He had the misfortune to lose his wife when his children were young, and his devotion to rearing and training them cannot be commended too highly.  If there is anything that can lighten the grief and sorrow for the loss of this valuable man it is to know how well his life was spent and all his duties performed.  The influence of his life will long remain a benefit and a blessing to many."

While frugal in his personal affairs, he was diligent for the public, and served most efficiently as chairman of the Democratic committee of his (Weakley) County as well as publicly in many other usefull ways.

In his early thirties Mr. Moran married Miss Sophia Gunn, whose father, Dr. Gunn, formerly lived in Nashville.  She preceded her husband to the better land seventeen years.  Their five children are, Fannie (Mrs. J.B. Ezell (sic)), Ida (Mrs. W.G. Timberlake), Marion (Mrs. C.H. Cobb, Harold (sic), and James. The latter of the two sons succeeds as president, while Harold (sic) takes the place of their beloved father on the directorate of the Bank of Dresden.  He is survived by an aunt, Mrs. Virginia Wood, and a sister, Mrs. Aggie Irvine.  Not only those loved ones but the entire community sorrowed in his death as if all were of close kin to him.  The testimony at his funeral of a life devoted to uprightness and love for his fellow men was well worth his struggle for seventy-two years.

The Death of Mrs. J.W. Moran, 1895

Sophia Riley Gunn Moran
Most likely painted after her death. 

This is the obituary that appeared in the Dresden Enterprise.  Another tribute appeared later written by Mary D. Duval of Clarksville TN.  It was published in the paper October 25, 1895.

Death of Mrs. J.W. Moran

Dresden Enterprise

October 11, 1895

  Last Monday afternoon, just before five o'clock, after an illness of eight weeks from malarial fever and brain trouble,  Mrs. J.W. Moran breathed her last, surrounded by her family and other relatives and many friends, who had come from far and near to see the last of one who had been so inexpressibly dear to them in life.  Among the throng gathered about her dying bed was her brother Mr. Lyman C. GUNN, of St. Louis, the last surviving member of a large family.  Dr. WRIGHT, of Huntingdon, was called to see her Saturday, but death had placed his seal upon her, and medical aid was powerless to release her from his grasp.  All that love and money could do was done to save her, but no power was strong enough to restore her to life and health.

  Mrs. Moran, who was formerly Miss Sophia R. GUNN, was born in Nashville in 1852, and was educated principally in Leavenworth, Kansas, where, as here, she had many close friends.  Her education was quite thorough, and especially in music, she taking up the latter as her avocation.  In 1870 she came here a stranger to all, and commenced a class in music which she taught up to the time of her marriage with Mr. Moran a year later, this event, which linked two loving hearts and congenial lives as one, occurring at the home of Col. Jno. A. GARDNER, of Gardner Station, whose wife was a relative of Mrs. Moran.

First paragraph of the obituary
that appeared in the Dresden Enterprise

  Soon after coming to Dresden Rev. B.F. BLACKMAN held a revival which resulted in the conversion of many, and the addition of forty to the church, many of them young people, some of the quite old.  The deceased was one of the additions to the church at that time, and ever after was a consistent member and conscientious Christian.  Her work in the church bore much good fruit, and it will sadly miss her aid and influence.  she was for a long time the competent organist of this church, and her voice has been greatly missed from the choir during the past two years.

  It is seldom we find a wife and mother who so happily combines the many estimable qualities that Mrs. Moran possessed.  While she was for years known and felt in every public work, her home life remained a model system of perfection.  Although for a number of years her life companion was not a Christian, at least not by confession, (though always a man of the strictest moral living), yet from the first she erected the family alter, and every night her little children, ere they could hardly lisp the name of Jesus, were prayed for and with by her.  Her children, each giving promise of a career of usefulness and influence in the religious world.  Mrs. Moran was ever an industrious woman, and though she always had wealth at her command, she never ate the bread of idleness, but was ever employed in some way, at times teaching classes in music after her marriage.  Her home has been open to many for entertainment, and all can testify to the perfect system that was plainly visible in her home, showing that as a housekeeper she lacked nothing as to qualifications.

   Tuesday afternoon her remains were carried to the church where the funeral service was held by Rev. A.J. MEADERS, pastor of the church.  In the congregation were many from distant cities and surrounding towns--in fact the largest crowd that ever attended a funeral was out the, thug giving visible evidence of the high esteem in which she was held.  The casket, which was borne by the following pallbearers, Messrs. J.E. JONES, Dennis BRASFIELD, Will TUGWELL, S.P. SCOTT, all of Dresden, G.W. MARTIN, of Martin, and W.B. WASHINGTON, of Nashville, was literally covered with handsome floral offerings from friends. The music, with Mrs. W.W. BROWN at the organ, was very appropriate, being furnished by Mr. Arch TRAWICK, of Nashville, and Mr. WRIGHT, of Huntingdon, and Mrs. AYRES, of Box Station, assisted by the church choir.  A solo by Mrs. AYRES, "Only Remembered by What I Have Done," a favorite song of the deceased, was sung.  After the services closed the remains were taken to the Moran burying ground, north of Dresden, for interment.

  We all will miss Mrs. Moran from society and the church, and when the hand of charity is needed, for to the poor she was ever a responsive friend.  She is gone from among us, as have so many others during the present year, but let us hope that her good deeds may live after her and find fruit in the relatives and friends who are left to mourn her loss. To the broken-hearted and lonely companion we know how to extend a deep sympathy.  The greatest sorrow that can come into the life of man has been his.  With the children, who are grieving for a loving mother we can also sympathize, for we, too, have suffered the same loss; to the brother left so bereft of kin our heart can also go out in condolence, and for one and all we ask the richest benedictions from a kind, heavenly Father, whose will it has been to take their cherished one.  We say farewell to Mrs. Moran, but in that other life we know we will meet her where others have gone before, and that there all will be peace, love, and joy without separation.

After the Death of Sophia Gunn Moran

These two letters were written by Fannie Moran after the death of her mother in October  1895.  

The first letter is dated Nov 7 1895 and is to her brothers James H. Moran and Charles Harrell Moran.  The letter has the usual sadness that a mourning letter would have but it also has interesting tidbits of information about the time period.  For instance, the street lights in Dresden were lit after 6pm.  She also references a marriage that may or may not have taken place between her cousin Sophia Irvine and Charles Ferguson.  The marriage did indeed take place but it happened later in the month.  In addition it's interesting that she notes the society marriage of the Duke of Marlborough and Consuelo Vanderbilt which had taken place the day before she wrote this letter.  It also mentions a popular medicine of the day, Paine's Celery Compound.

Dresden.

The second letter is written in December 1895 and is to Fannie's brother Harrell.  It reminds of A Christmas Carol where she talks about how they had permission from Papa to come home for the holidays rather than stay at school.  Harrell and Jim were attending the Webb School at that time.  The rest of the letter she is telling Harrell where to shop to buy the prettiest and cheapest flowers.  What to buy for their youngest sister Marion and how the train schedule had not changed that much.  She also tells him he only had two misspelled words in his previous letter.  You have to remember that Fannie was a schoolteacher.  :)

Nov. 7 1895

My dear Brothers (Jim and Harrell)

My heart bleeds afresh as I write the above date.  You know the sorrow it brings to me, and I know the sorrow you are going through.  One month since she (Sophia Riley Gunn Moran their mother) died, and what a long, dreary month it has been!  The past ten years with their days of happiness seem but half that time and it seems hard to realize that we have suffered all the agony of and lives' greatest sorrow, has been comprised into one short month.  Truly time is not measured by days but by actions and events.  From this I realize that constant action, work either physical or mental is our only report.  

The worst hour of the day for me, the hour that seems longer than all the rest is the twilight hours when the days work is finished before the lamps are lighted, from 5 to 6 the hours that her soul passed eternity.  How I wish I could say something to comfort you, but your sorrow is mine.  Hand in hand we go through the valley of the shadow, and lover for her, for God and for each other is our only comfort, and it is a comfort to know that our lives have been so rich in love.  

It was impressed on me in reading of the great Marlborough Vanderbilt marriage celebrated in all the pomp and magnificence that unbounded wealth could conceive of and yet the father and mother of the bride were further apart than if oceans separated them.  Would you exchange even the memory of our once happy home with her?

I stayed longer in N.(Nashville) than I expected, but came home as soon as I could.  I got the ?? for Papa (John Williamson Moran) so Brother may rest easy.

In return wont you promise to take broken doses of salts for your boils and get a bottle of Paines' Celery Compound and take regularly.  If you haven't the money to buy it I will send it to you.  

Twas reported that Soph (Sophia Irvine) and Charlie (Charles Ferguson) were to be married at Bump's (James A Irvine) last night, but hope tis not true as I haven't heard it verified this a.m.  She made people believe she had broken off entirely with him after Brud's (Harrell Moran) talk with her but tell Jack (Forrest Dabney Irvine) I think he'll have to write her another letter.

Mr. Bondurant is worse.  This is a dreary, rainy day and the carpenters cannot work.  Bettie is up here sewing.  Papa has not looked so well for the past few days.

With a heart full of love

Sister (Fannie Moran)

LETTER 2

Dresden

Tuesday (The envelope is dated December 17 1895)

Dear Brud (Harrell Moran)

We enjoyed your letter which came yesterday and I was so proud to know that you had been complemented by "Buck".  All the ambition that I once had for myself is now centered on you and Jim and it does my heart good to know that you are getting along so nicely.

Jim's last letter was unusually good and yours was much better only two mis-spelled words both of which I think were due to carelessness instead of ignorance, couldent for couldn't and whare for where. 

We hadn't written about your coming home because we didn't know that you were going to get to come but after many persuasions and promises exacted by Baby (Marion Moran) from Papa, he consented saying it would be his Xmas present to you and we are so glad.  At the best it will be but a lonely Christmas for us without our dear one but more so with out your two.  I have just finished a letter to Mr. Webb giving you permission to come.  Papa asked me to write and also say he would send a check tomorrow.   He went hunting this morning with Mr. ? Scott.  

He said you never wrote him about Mrs. Black's bread bill, what the amount is up to date.  Please find out.  Knowing a little extra change is always convenient I enclose $1.00 bill for your street car fare, etc. while in N. You may go around to the market house and price the flowers.  When I was there they were some cheaper than at the Florists but were faded and soiled.  If they won't do, go to Joy's on Church St almost upper site the Vendome and to Currey's near the Nicholsons toward the depot.  Buy wherever they are prettiest and cheapest which I think will be at Joy's. Carnations and hyacinths are the most seasonable flowers.  Also ask about the weeping willow. 

So that you may not get duplicates let me tell you that I am to give Ida some garter clasps and Marion paper dolls and a book.  If you can find a tiny doll brush and comb for her get it.  There has very little change been made in the R.R. schedule the 11:30 train leaving N. 1/2 hr later and getting here at 12.  

With love to Jim and Jack

I am devotedly

Sister

A Tribute to the Memory of Mrs. Moran, Oct 1895

Sophia Riley Moran
1851-1895

Dedicated lovingly to her daughters, Fanny and Ida:   ( I find this a bit strange that the author left out her youngest daughter Marion)

"Year after year, with glad content In and out of her home she went, In and out.  Ever for others the skies were clear, Her dear heart carried such loving cheer, Banishing gloom and doubt."

There are some mothers so pure and faultless, some lives so beautifully rounded in their perfect proportions that we thank God that he gave them to the world, though all too soon he claimed them again as his won.  Such was the beautiful life of the wife and mother whom death has so recently torn away from the home of which she was the pride and joy. In all the sweet and tender relationships in life, wife, mother, sister, neighbor, friend and counselor, she was the ideal Christian woman, the "perfect woman nobly planned."  Beautiful in person and character, loving and tender in disposition, how is it possible to paint her life as it really was?  And yet it is engraved in letters of living lights not only on the hearts of those who knew and loved her here, but in the Lamb's Book of Life above.  Can there be any consolation left for those, who, having had the light of her presence here so long, must grope in darkness without it?  Yes!

"Although oft depressed and lonely All our fears are laid aside.  If we but remember only such as these have lived and died."

Even for this, the greatest of all sorrows, the loss of a mother's love and counsel, there is a recompense.  God doth not willingly afflict any of His children, and for every would they receive there is a balm provided.

The life of this beautiful life is not quenched, though it seems to have gone down in its noonday splendor.  It will shine on through all the years to come, a beacon light to guide her loved ones home.  Earth, had she been spared to them might have been more attractive than heaven, but heaven now, with mother and the Saviour beckoning on will prove the happy meeting place of a re-united family.

Mary D. Duval

Clarksville, Tenn., Oct., 25, 1895

100th Anniversary of the death of John W. Moran, Dresden TN

Today, April 12 2012, is the 100th anniversary of the death of John Williamson Moran.  He was a man of many hats and many accomplishments.  He was a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and more.  His family was very important to him!  He was an educated man and successful in business. He opened a Mercantile Store in Dresden Tennessee in 1875.  Later he opened the Dresden Bank of which he was the President until his death.  His son James Henderson Moran III became the President after the death of his father.

He was a member of the Methodist Church giving his time and financial support to its success.  He loved nature and planted many tree's himself on the church grounds.

He was a generous man giving financial support to friends and relatives in need.  B.D. Irvine had given land for a Moran family cemetery but J.W. Moran went further.  He set aside a portion of the land so that others who needed a final resting place had somewhere to be buried.

John W. Moran died at St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee.  These people didn't know him and the report is minimal.  Their records indicate Mr. J.W. Moran passed away on April 11, 1912.  He was male, white, 72 and a widower.  Born in Tennessee, died at St Thomas Hospital signed by a Dr. Bailey and recorded by W.F. Hunt.  How easily they dismiss a life and death into its simplest form.

However another death record was issued in Dresden by people who knew him. Doak A. McWherter made the report.  The McWherter's are an old family in Dresden.  As a matter of fact Tennessee Governor Ned Ray McWherter lived down the street from the Moran home.

Doak listed him as he would a friend, John Moran.  Here is where the discrepancy comes in.  The date of death is listed as April 12, not 11, of 1912.  He was male, white and 72 years old.  Another discrepancy occurs because he is listed as married, not widowed.  Anyone who knew John W. Moran knew how much he adored his wife Sophia Riley Gunn who predeceased him in 1895.  They knew he never considered himself a widow, to him he was still married.

He's listed as dying in Nashville.  The cause of death which was absent on the previous death record says "impoverished blood."  These people knew he was born in Dresden and was a banker, the Nashville people didn't know and apparently didn't ask.  The report lists Dr. Basil Mayo as the attending physician on the last sickness.  The Mayo's lived nearby and were friends and Dr. Mayo was most likely his regular physician and knew his health more than anyone else.  Claud Hobson Hilliard signed as the county clerk.  His father W.H. Hilliard carried John Moran off the battlefield at Franklin when he was wounded and many years later Claud's son would be in the same graduating class as J.W.'s grandson, Nathan Harrell Moran.  Class of 1936, Dresden High School.

John W. Moran
Mar 26, 1840
Apr 12, 1912
Soldier - Citizen - Friend

John Williamson Moran
31st Tennessee Regiment
Co. I. C.S.A.

The Dresden Enterprise published an article written by Joseph E. Jones entitled Recollections of John W.
Moran. Here is the full text of the article dated April 26, 1912:

John W. Moran was born at Dresden Tennessee, on March 26, 1840, and died at Nashville, Tenn., at St. Thomas hospital while the clock was striking twelve, on Friday night, April 12, 1912.  He resided here all his life except a short interval before and during the war.  His father, James Moran, was a merchant at Dresden and his mother was a Miss Harriet Harris of McLemoresville, Tenn.

As a boy, he led the life and possessed the playful characteristics that were common to boys of antebellum days.  The common, or public school, had no existence at that time.  His education, which was a practical one, was obtained at the private schools in Dresden, and at old Bethel College, at his grandmother's home. (His grandmother was Elizabeth Battle Perry Harris)

The writer has enjoyed many hearty side shakes, as he has heard Mr. Moran tell the anecdotes of his boyhood life with circumstantiality and detail, always accompanying the words with fine mimicry and real, first class acting.

Early in life he decided to become a business man, and after leaving school, started his career as a clerk in a store at Hickman.  Hardly had he gotten at ease behind the counter, when the great internecine, conflict between the North and South was precipitated.  A brave heart beat within his bosom, and his every impulse and motive was loyal to the cause of his beautiful Southland.  At twenty-one years of age he volunteered, together with his younger brother, Jimmie Moran, to fight the battles of the South.  His brother, a gallant young soldier, soon was slain and John never ceased to mourn for him.  Mr. Moran fought in many of the important battles of the war, and, as I remember, was desperately wounded on one or more occasions.  His record as a soldier and leader of men was made at Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Perryville, Franklin and other battles.  Wounded at Franklin, He was carried from the field of carnage by W.H. Hilliard, father of our county court clerk.

Did space permit, many pages could be written relating his gallant, courageous and soldierly conduct.  When I remember the sacrifices he and his associates in arms made, and the burdens, hardships and tribulations they endured unto the end of the war, in order to save our homes and our liberties, it causes me to rejoice that a monument of marble has been erected on the public square at Dresden, to commemorate the deeds of valor and glory performed by such as he.  His happiest moments in later life were spent in talking and reading about that bitter four years, and calling to mind little incidents and loving remembrances that were treasured in his heart, and will remain there until he and many of his comrades meet with Lee, Jackson, Gordon and Forrest in the land where there will be no more war, and no more struggling armies.

When the flag of the South was folded and the arms of Lee were laid down at the surrender, John Moran came home to find himself in comparative poverty.  With intelligence and pride he took up the fight as a citizen and manfully battled with difficulties and prejudices until success crowned his efforts.

Speaking now, while he lies buried in the old family cemetery on the hill, I do not exaggerate when I say, he did succeed along all the lines of life that are worth while.  His business methods are well known, and were open and above suspicion.  The possessor of a large fortune at his death, there was not an unclean dollar among them all.  Others have spoken, and are more competent to speak of him as a financier, and of his eminent success along these lines.

The war had not been over many years until the young merchant, then in his early thirties, and still engaged in the financial struggle, found in the western part of Weakley county, she who was afterward to share his joys and sorrows.  His wife was Miss Sophia Gunn, a daughter of Dr. Gunn, formerly of Nashville, but who died here in the early nineties at the home of his son-in-law and daughter.  Mrs. Moran lived until September, 1895, and was the mother of five children, to wit:  Fannie, now Mrs. J.B. Ezell, of Newsome; Ida, the wife of .G. Timberlake, Jackson; Marion, wife of C.H. Cobb, Union City, and Harold (Harrell) and James H. Moran.  No woman ever more richly endowed and blessed her husband's life than did Mrs. Moran.  Her children were not all grown and none of them were married when God called her away from this world.  How well do I remember that beautiful, but exceedingly sad September day, when we all, husband, children, relatives and neighbors, stood by the bedside of dear Mrs. Sophia Moran when her eyes closed on this world forever.

His love for here was so intense that, strong man as he was, the watchers at his bedside were apprehensive that he would die from grief.  During his married life he forsook the ways of sin, and became a pupil and a lover of the Man of Gallilee.  From the time he joined the church in middle life, he was a constant supporter of her institutions and a worshiper at her altars.  For years he was an official of the Methodist church, South, at Dresden, and in all things was a save, sane, conservative counsellor.  Before his death all the members of his the members of his family had become members of the M.E. church at Dresden, wherein his deceased wife had so long been a pillar.  Mr. Moran, in the days of health and vigor, was not easily moved to enthusiasm, but calmly and coolly thought out every question for himself, and acted upon his own judgment of right.  His influence over his friends for good was very pronounced.

Socially he was a charming man, and was fond of the society of the young.  Not being trained in music, he was still quite fond of instrumental and vocal music, and so remained until the angels called him home; and me thinks, that on the other shore, he may have already opened those eyes upon the form, and heard the beautiful voice of the one who used so sing and play so perfectly for him in the old Dresden home.

He never grew tired of visitors and gave the glad hand of welcome to all.  Much experience and observation in life, with frequent reading of books, and a reasonable amount of travel had made him an educated man in the largest sense, and prepared him at all times for an enjoyable companion.

In politics he was a democrat of the old style; was fond of Gov. Porter, Clint Atkins, Isham G. Harris, Wm. B. Bate and James B. Frazier.  The first time I ever knew him, he was chairman of the democratic executive committee for Weakley county, and had prior to 1884, as I understand, taken an active interest in party matters.  At all times and places he was without reservation a temperance advocate.  The cause grew upon him as the years passed by.  He was the devoted friend, personally and politically, of Senator Carmack, and his grief over the untimely death of the Senator was as genuine and sincere as that of any friend he had in the state.

When Hon. George Winstead, then a citizen of Dresden, was nominated by the republicans for governor in 1892, as the competitor of Governor Turney, we gave Mr. Winstead a non political reception at the court house, on his arrival home.  Captain Moran was selected as presiding officer, and he did the honors of the occasion gracefully and grandly.  As president of the bank, he presided in a gracious manner over the board of directors and stockholders, and his name is written in the hearts of them all.

His charity was always well directed and unostentacious.  No bugle was blown when he did a good deed, or said a good word, to advertise the act.

One of the bravest and most knightly of all the soldiers in gray, he rarely ever attended a reunion, because, as his friends thought, of the pomp and show incident to such occasions.

Not having been favored with early opportunities for education, he readily determined educate his children.  Each of the five had his or her day at the higher schools or colleges.  Before his home was broken it was a lovely and cultured one.  Father, mother and children all in love with each other, and I thought their conduct, each to the other, was delicately beautiful and worthy of example.

As I write this, my poor and unworthy tribute to my dead friend and neighbor, and as the tears stream from y my eyes, I recall, as it were yesterday, when my wife and I and little boys moved to Dresden, and became his nearest neighbor, how he and Mrs. Moran came to our home, became acquainted with the family, who were strangers here, and said, in substance, "Come over and we will divide what we have with you.'  Then, with a heart full of love, do we recall that dark, cold December day in 1894 when our home and all of its contents was totally destroyed by the savage, devouring flames.  We were not allowed to sit down and nurse our grief, violent as it was, but John Moran and his family, though living in a small house, at that time, gladly took us in and made us members of their household for days and days, without money and without price.

These are acts to me that out weight all the gold of Ophir or the cattle on a thousand hills.  This occurrence is nineteen years in the past, but my heart cries out at this late day to the Eternal One to bless his and her sacred memories, and to bless all their children and grandchildren.

What I have related of this personal kindness has been extended to many others in town and country.  A thousand hearts have been made glad because he came this way.

His sister, Mrs. Aggie Irvine, and his aunt, Mrs. Virginia Wood, are growing old, and he was a treasure to them. "may he who tempers the wind to the shorn lamb" give them comfort in their bereavement.

Through protracted illness he was carried by loving hands and loyal hearts with the hope of restoration to health, far away from home, down in Dixie, to the land of magnolias and orange blossoms.  From his resting place there he could hear the hoarse anthem of the ever surging sea.  However, his affliction was such that no professional hand could relieve, and no balmy atmosphere could allay.

It was at St. Petersburg, Florida, that it was made clear to his bedimmed vision that death was at hand.  In that hour he longed to see the face of his old friends in Weakley county and his business associates again, and to gaze on the setting sun here once more.  By letters sweet and pure, breathing his affection for them, he emptied his soul of all fear, envy and unkindness.  It is a great thing when a man seventy two year of age comes to die who has been heavily engaged in business cares, can peacefully go to sleep with good will to all and malice towards none.

As the end approached his son and daughter, who were with him at his request, placed him on the fast train and with rapid speed made their way to dear old Tennessee, and to Nashville; and there the heavenly shadows fell on him.  He was brought to Dresden with folded hands, closed eyes and a silent pulse, covered with costly and beautiful flowers, tokens of love and friendship.

Is it possible that flashing eyes will be strained at the old windows to watch for his coming but that he will never come again?  Shall we sit and listen for the familiar footfall that will never be heard again?  The kindly voice is hushed in silence of the grave, but we will believe until we see him again that when the trumpet is sounded and all of the dead in sea and earth arise no whiter, purer, more exalted soul will come up through the storm and conflict to the "Father's many mansions" than the friend and neighbor we knew in Dresden, Jno. W. Moran.

Burial Societies in the 19th Century

Knights of Honor Receipt
The amount is actually $1.00, not $100

Before there was life insurance, burial insurance, and funeral homes there were burial societies and fraternal organizations.  John Williamson Moran was a member of the Knights of Honor, Dresden Lodge No. 312.  He had been assessed the sum of $1.00.  Why?  One reason people joined organizations like Woodsmen of the World or the Knights Of Pythias is because the members would help pay for funeral costs for its members and their families.  In the upper left hand corner it says that the last Assessment was on May 16th, 1880 because there had been a death.  The 1,371st death to be exact.  The current assessment, no 71 was for the 1,372nd death.

In an age where medicine often times killed more than it cured death was a frequent visitor.  Whole families were wiped out by influenza, pneumonia, Yellow Fever, Typhoid and the list goes on.  Being a member of a lodge gave peace of mind that, God forbid you died, your family had a way to pay for your burial.

Nathan M. Shumate, Uncovered

Nathan M. Shumate has been somewhat of a mystery to us and led to a lot of speculation about his family life and what he might look like.   As with all research projects speculation gives way to truth as more facts come to light.  Ancestry.com provided some Census information but that was about it.  Google searches provided hits to newspapers of the time which proved very useful and provided entertaining and enlightening tidbits of information to know about him. But I was not able to locate anything supporting his daughters handwritten note that gave his date of death as March 3, 1899, 8 a.m.  Till tonight.

And now we know because in the Semi-Weekly Interior Journal of Kentucky, dated March 7, 1899, his death is mentioned twice.  Nathan M. Shumate died of pneumonia, though we suspect it might've been tuberculosis, and he was buried near Brodhead, Kentucky.

Mr. J.C. McClary attended the burial of N.M. Shumate near Brodhead Sunday.  Pneumonia was the cause of his death.








Mrs. Belle Gentry, of Newburn, Tenn., who came to attend the burial of her brother, N.M. Shumate, of Rockcastle, is the guest of Mrs. Eliza Blain.

Recollections of Jno. W. Moran, Dresden Enterprise April 26, 1912

Recollections of Jno. W. Moran Dresden Enterprise April 26, 1912

Soldier Citizen Friend

31st Tennessee Regiment
Co. I   C  S  A