Saintclair County AlArchives Biographies.....Greene, James T. 1849 - 
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 September 12, 2011, 9:41 pm

Source: See below
Author: Smith & De Land, publishers

    JAMES T. GREENE, Probate Judge of St. Clair County, was born in 1849. The
father of the subject of our sketch came to this country from Ireland at an
early period, and was one of the first settlers in St. Clair County. His mother,
Elizabeth Thomason, was a native of Alabama. Her brother, John I. Thomason, was
Probate Judge of St. Clair County from 1846 to 1850. He was a public-spirited
man, and took part in the incorporation of the Alabama Great Southern Railroad
Company.

    The early educational advantages of our subject were very meager, and his
literary attainments are entirely the results of his own efforts. He attended
the country schools at his home, and, after leaving them, commenced reading law
in 1871, at Ashville. He was admitted to the bar in 1872, and during the same
year was appointed Register in Chancery, in which position he remained until 1880.

    In 1876, when Judge L. F. Fox, now Circuit Judge, was State Superintendent
of Education. James T. Greene was chief clerk in his office at Montgomery
throughout two terms, and while holding such position he, of course, became
widely known in this State.

    James T. Greene was elected in 1884 to represent St. Clair County in the
Legislature, and while in that body was Chairman of the Committee on Education.
Prior to this time Judge Greene had been identified with his party in some of
its most important councils, and from 1874 to 1876 was Chairman of the
Democratic Executive Committee of St. Clair County. In 1887 he was appointed
Probate Judge, and is still holding that position.

    Among other interesting facts before us, in the life of our subject maybe
mentioned his intense love of country at a time in life when we are not expected
to show much appreciation of such things. He enlisted in the Confederate Army at
the youthful age of thirteen years, and while the spirit was willing, the
strength was not proportioned to its demands, and on account of ill health he
was compelled to leave the service.

    Judge Greene is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and was for some time W.
M. of the lodge at Ashville.

    In 1873, our snbject was married to Miss Maggie Ashley, of Ashville. To this
union have been born five children, one of whom was recently taken from them by
a dreadful accident. The following touching notices of the sad occurrence is
copied from recent publications:

"IN MEMORIAM."
OF SUCH IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.

    Postelle Greene, born August 27th, 1882, died in the afternoon of March 14,
1888, from the effects of burns received while popping corn with her little
sisters few hours before. Her sufferings, at first intense, were soon greatly
relieved, and her last hours were calm and peaceful. The untold anguish of the
fond parents was shared by the community, and all that tender, loving hands
could do was done. The deceased was an unusually attractive child. From infancy
the pet of the household, the darling of all, her bright, winsome beauty and
artless loving manner, found their way like a sunbeam, to ever)' heart. She
retained entire consciousness until the sad end came, speaking brightly and
pleasantly to her many grief-stricken friends who crowded around her bedside,
calling them by name, and manifesting a courage and bravery wonderful to see.
Her bright little spirit passed away from this to a heavenly home, where, safe
in "the Lord Christ's bosom," she awaits the coming of papa, mamma, brother and
sisters at the "beautiful gates ajar"—not alone, but hand in hand with a cherub
brother gone before. Just before her     death she exclaimed, "Everything looks
golden."

    Perchance a gleam from the golden splendor "beyond" lit up her passage
across the dark stream. "I am trying, but can not see you, papa," were the last
words she uttered. Then sweetly she fell asleep; as sweetly and calmly as the
flower at evening closes its petals at the kiss of the dew-drop.

"She is not dead, but sleepeth."

    Our associations with our little friend, now a "little white angel in
Heaven," will ever be a bright spot in memory's waste. Lovingly we will cherish
them, and indulge the fond hope that we may
"Meet beyond the river, Where the surges cease to roll."

    In the hour of deep affliction consolations are not of this world—the balm
for the wound must come from a higher source. May "a glimmer of light in the
darkness" penetrate the deep anguish of the distressed household."

    It is with most profound sorrow we learned this morning of the death of
little Postelle, daughter Judge and Mrs. Jas. T. Greene, of Ashville, St. Clair
County, Ala., Little Postelle, the idolized and beloved child, was six years
old, and as beautiful as the fairest dream, and endowed with so lovely a
disposition that, though in the very perfection of health, the impress of heaven
seemed placed upon her angelic face. While playing around the fire with her
sisters, her mother left the room for a few moments and returned to find her
child mangled by the flames. She died in a short time and has
"Gone to the land of life and love,
She whom we loved
Kisen to mansions fair and bright,
Dwelling in God's eternal sight,
She whom we held so dear—so dear."

    Judge and Mrs. Greene have a large circle of friends in ^Montgomery and over
the State, who sympathize with them in their hour of sorrow, and rejoice in the
one comforting thought that their darling is safe in the hands of Jesus "waiting
and watching at the beautiful gate" her loved ones to meet."


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Northern Alabama: Historical and Biographical
Birmingham, Ala.: Smith and De Land
1888

PART III.
HISTORICAL RESUME OF THE VARIOUS COUNTIES IN THE STATE.
MINERAL BELT.


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