Obit of Frank S. Forbes - Conecuh Co., AL ----------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with the USGenWeb policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other gain. Copying of the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged. ALGenWeb File Manager - Lygia Dawkins Cutts ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Obituary of Frank S. Forbes - Conecuh Co., AL Contributed By Lygia Dawkins Cutts NOV 1998 The Standard Guage Brewton, AL December 4, 1884 "At his residence in Evergreen, of pneumonia, on the 24th of November, 1884, after a week of painful illness, Mr. Frank S. Forbes died in the 21st year of his age. Frank was the eldest of three sons of Mr. S.G. Forbes, of Bellville, who died about nine years since, and Mrs. S.T. Forbes, who still lives to mourn the untimely death of her loved and trusted son. He was a man extrodinary business qualities, undoubted moral character, fine social virtues, and quite, reserved habits. He was a worthy member of the lodge of Knights or Pythias, on whom there rested no stain and fell no shadow. He was an officer of the lodge, and fidelity as such marked his career. The entire order feels the blow and acknowledges its loss. The shaft of death could not have been hurled against a more cherished brother. As to his social standing, it was absolutely good - no man old or young, white or colored, had ought to say against it. Hence his demise send a thrill of sorrow through all hearts, and stirred a bitter lamentation among all ranks. He was not a member of any church, yet the writer dares affirm that the cause of Christianity has sustained a heavy prospective loss. He was converted at a meeting with the Baptist church in the spring past, and was contemplating uniting with the church at an early date. He stated to a young man of Evergreen during the meeting, the he desired to unite with the church and solicited him to go with him, saying he had read the works of Ingersoll and the more he read of them the more thoroughly convinced he was of his folly. He told the writer a few days before his death that he desired an interview on the subject of religion. Several things were said to others and done before them, that agreed as to what he would have done, and only recieve his premature death as a warning from heaven not to delay the discharge of a known duty. How much more assured his loved weeping ones would have felt, had he openly confessed Christ, yet none doubt his future felicity. He was married about three and a half months before his death to Miss Sallie Boykin, of Conecuh county. Oh! how great and inexpressible the grief of her young widowed heart! She was the cherished companion of one standing on the threshold os a successful and useful life, and had not ceased the golden dreams of a future unparalled, happy wedlock, when, as a thunderclap in a clear sky, the death angel laid on him his icy hand and claimed him as his own. O Thou who dost wound and heal, apply the oil of consolation to her bereaved soul! The widowed mother, too, since the death of her husband, had leaned with maternal trust and love on Frank, is left brokenhearted and frolorn, only hoping her other two boys may be to her what he has been. The God of Abraham who doth "temper the winds to the shorn lamb," be unto her an ever- lasting prop, and grant that no threatening cloud may obscure the gorgeous tints of a declining sky! Two brothers are left, each of whom so fondly loved and trusted him, "to feel we have no brother Frank now." They will miss his wise counsel, but this love and sympathy for and interest in him, will only be intensified by the rucher life on which all hope he has entered. To his numerous bosom friends God Speak: "Prepare to meet your God." Your separation not be final. Brother, friend, farewell! May we all meet beyond the river." B.H. Crumpton