A Chieftain Has Fallen...Obit of J.W. Moran from The Martin Mail Apr 16 1912

In April I posted the obituary from the Dresden Enterprise and the funeral notice for John W. Moran.  Today I came across a copy of The Martin Mail dated April 16, 1912.   I knew right away that it could mean just one thing, it contained an obituary for John W.   I would correct only one thing about it.  Near the end it says he left behind two sons and two daughters, he actually had three daughters.  

Capt. J.W. Moran, aged 73, died Friday night at St. Thomas Hospital, at Nashville, after an illness of some two years' duration.  He was a son of James H. Moran, an early settler of Weakley County, and had been a prominent and leading citizen in the social, financial and religious affairs of the county for many years.  In the first days of the Civil War he joined Company "I," Thirty-first Tennessee Infantry, C.S.A.  He remained in service during the entire war and participated in the battles of Perryville, Murfreesboro, Franklin, Missionary Ridge, Chickamauga, Kenesaw Mountain and Atlanta, finally surrendering with Johnston at Greenville, N.C. Returning home from the war he entered the mercantile business, and was soon the leading financial citizen of the county.  Upon the organization of the Dresden Bank in 1889 he was elected its first President, and continued to occupy that position until the time of his death.

He was a member of the M.E. Church South, and of Dresden Lodge, No. 90, F & A. M.  The following children survive him:  James H. Moran, Dresden; Harrell Moran, Newsom Station, Mrs. W.G. Timberlake, Jackson; Mrs. James B. Ezzell, Newsom Station; Mrs. Chas. H. Cobb, Union City.  The remains were interred at the family cemetery, near Dresden, on Sunday.

In the death of John Moran the county has lost one of its very best, most wide awake citizens, a Christian gentleman; a gentleman of the old school, with that hospitality that Southern people are so noted for. Dresden loses a fine citizen, a good man, and his children a devoted and lovable father.  John Moran will be missed by a large number of people all over Weakley County who loved him for his many noble traits of character.

In speaking of the death of Mr. Moran, our Dresden correspondent says: His remains were brought home Saturday evening, and a large crowd of citizens of Dresden were at the depot when the train arrived, who expressed their sympathy and sorrow. The funeral services were had Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Methodist church, conducted by Rev. R.C. Douglas and assisted by Revs. J.W. Irion and G.,T. Mayo.  Mr. George Martin, of Martin, gave a short eulogy on the life of Mr. Moran, and Judge Jones read an appropriate poem, which was one of Mr. Moran's favorites in his lifetime.  Not near all the people who attended these funeral services were able to get in the church.  Many of Mr. Moran's friends from Martin, Greenfield and Sharon were present, and many others from a distance paid their last respects with their presence. Interment was had at the old family graveyard about a mile north of Dresden.  Mr. Moran leaves two sons and two daughters, to whom we express our sympathy, and with whom we share their sorrow. Every citizen of Dresden and all who knew him can truly say that a good and noble man has departed from among us--that a chieftain has fallen.  He was aged seventy-two years, was a member of the Methodist church, and died in the triumphs of the faith of a devoted Christian.

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.

Obituary of Champ Shumate 1905

Champ Shumate's first wife and youngest child:
Martha McClary Shumate and Nathan Shumate

Champ Shumate was the son of Mitchell and Catherine Champ Shumate. Champ Shumate's first wife was Martha Jane "Patsey" McClary.  She and Champ had the following children: Jason Champ Shumate, John Quincy Shumate, Belle Shumate, Harriet Shumate, and Nathan McClary Shumate (Kent's Great Grandfather). After the death of Martha, Champ married Elizabeth "Lizzie" Yeakey. They had one child who lived for ten days, Mary G. Shumate, most likely buried in the Old Paint Lick Cemetery with her parents.

Champ died September 2, 1825 from kidney disease. Champ and Martha McClary Shumate are Kent's second great grandparents on his fathers side of the family.  

Champ Shumate's obituary appeared in the Central Record on February 10 1905.  According to the obituary he was born on Benjamin Slavin's place.  At this time I don't know the relationship of the Slavin family to the Shumate clan.  Ben Slavin died in 1906 and was interred in the Lancaster Cemetery.

"Mr Champ Shumate, of Paint Lick, died Feb. 1st, 1905.  He was born on the Ben Slavin place in this, Garrard county, Sept. 2nd, 1825, and was therefore in his eightieth year.  He lived on the place where he was born until his marriage after which he moved to Rockcastle county.  After some years he moved back to his old home, the Slavin place, on Frog Branch Creek.  His first wife, who was Martha McClary having died, he married the second time, Lizzie Yeakey, who survives him.  He leaves three children, all of whom were by his first marriage.  Shortly after his second marriage, about 22 years ago, he sold his farm and moved to Paint Lick and engaged in merchandising. After seven years he gave up the business and retired to the comfortable home where he spent the remainder of his days.

For thirty years he was a consistent member of the Presbyterian church at Manse.  Of recent years he has been unable to attend church which he delighted to do when he was able.  He was modest, unassuming man of good christian character, quiet and unpretending in his manner.  He was a man of strong convictions and a firm and faithful friend.  Most of his life was spent in Paint Lick, where he had many friends and acquaintances.  He leaves three children, a widow and a host of friends to mourn his loss.  Everything was done for him that kind friends could do but, for many years he had been afflicted with kidney disease, which in the end caused his death.  Revs. D.E. Friarson and C.S. Young conducted funeral services at his home in the presence of a large and sympathizing crowd.  his remains were laid to rest in the Paint Lick Cemetery. " 

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