Berrien County GaArchives Obituaries.....Gaskins, Alvah W., Sr. November 18, 1934 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Skeeter Parker skeeterparker@windstream.net September 22, 2012, 3:30 pm The Nashville Herald, November 22, 1934 The Nashville Herald, front page, November 22, 1934 MR. A.W. GASKINS SUCCUMBS HERE Most Prominent Farmer and Business Man of County – Funeral Services Monday Berrien county and Nashville lost its most influential citizen, merchant and land owner last Sunday at 12 o’clock noon in the death of Mr. A.W. Gaskins at his home here in Nashville. Mr. Gaskins had been seriously ill since Tuesday of last week, the crisis occurring last Friday afternoon. He had been slightly ill for several weeks, however, and doctors were of the opinion he would pull through to complete recovery. An ailment of the heart was said to be the immediate cause of death. He was 49 years of age. Drs. W.W. Turner, his son-in-law, and Dr. J.V. Talley were the local attending physicians. They remained at his bedside constantly from Friday night until the end. Two prominent physicians from Atlanta and a Valdosta physician were summoned Saturday night but upon making examinations they stated he had only a few hours to live. He was unconscious from Friday afternoon. Mr. Gaskins was born and reared five miles northwest of Nashville, and was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Fisher W. Gaskins, wealthy and prominent residents of this county all of their lives. He spent all of his life in this county, graduating from the Nashville schools. Later he attended the North Georgia Agricultural College at Dahlonega, where he graduated with honors, having held the highest military officers position possible for a student. He was graduated from Dahlonega in 1907, and in 1908 began his business career here in Nashville. During that year he was married to Miss Fannie Peeples, daughter of the late Judge and Mrs. H.B. Peeples. His first business ventures were successful, and so much so that during the years he developed into one of the most outstanding business men of the entire south Georgia section. He erected one of the first brick store houses in Nashville where he opened a general mercantile business. All during the years the concern of A.W. Gaskins, general merchandise, was known over several counties. During the years he began acquiring farm lands and real estate properties, which increased with each passing year. During the past several years and at the time of this death he was the largest farm operator in the county and one of the largest in south Georgia. His other real estate holdings were also immense, and he was regarded as one of south Georgia’s wealthiest business men. Upon introductory of the tobacco industry to south Georgia back in 1917 and 1918, Mr. Gaskins was one of the first rural south Georgia business men to realize the benefit of establishing the industry in this section. He invested heavily and did much toward development of the new farm crop in this and surrounding counties. He established Nashville as one of the principal tobacco markets early in the new enterprise by erecting two large tobacco warehouses here and contacting large tobacco companies to send buyers here for the purchase of the weed. He was recognized by the tobacco industry as an authority on south Georgia tobacco conditions, and many times his suggestions and remarks were beneficial to sections of south Georgia. Mr. Gaskins was an official of the Georgia Tobacco Association. Nashville business and future development will feel the great loss of Mr. Gaskins, his influence in helping to organize and carry to completion ideas for the good of the town and county. He was truly a leader of men and a builder of great things for the community. He was a civic leader of great ability, and it will be many years before another of the same power is discovered to take his place. His death has brought about a great loss to the community, and thousands are grieved at his untimely and unexpected passing. The funeral services were conducted Monday afternoon at 3 o’clock from the Baptist Church by Rev. L.E. Williams, pastor of the Methodist church, and Elder J.B. Luke. It was probably Nashville’s most largely attended funeral in history, the church being filled to running over with all classes of people. Practically every Nashville person was present, as well as hundred of farmers and their families and scores of colored people who had worked for the deceased through the years. The service was transferred from the Methodist church of which he was a member, to the Baptist to accommodate the large gathering. During the services at the church a mixed choir sang “Does Jesus Care,” “Pass Me Not,” and “Abide With Me.” The choir and musicians were: Mrs. N.A. Hull, Mrs. E.H. Brown, Mrs. Wm. Story, Mrs. L.E. Williams, Mrs. M.E. Perry, Messrs. Edgar Griffin, S.J. Baker, N.H. Harper, and E.E. Dorsey. Caroline Bullard, pianist, and Mrs. Bill Hepburn, violinist. Honorary pallbearers were: E.H. Brown, P.L. Howard, M.E. Perry, H.L. Carlton, O.L. Griner, W.M. Story, R.L. King of Valdosta, S.C. Josey, and N.H. Harper. The active pallbearers were: J.J. Rutherford, E.S. Steward, Wm. Hancock, N.N. Hughes, J.W. Griner, Perry Harris, Leonard Moore, and George Norman. Interment took place in the city cemetery, with all funeral arrangements in charge of the Giddens Funeral Home. Nashville business houses closed during the funeral hour in respect to a fellow business man. Surviving are the widow and four children, Mrs. Ruby Turner, Miss Marie Gaskins, a student at Furman University at Greenville, N.C., A.W. Jr., and Robert Gaskins. Three sisters also survive as follows: Mrs. A.H. Giddens, Misses Alma and Mattie Gaskins, of Nashville. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/berrien/obits/g/gaskins13948ob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/gafiles/ File size: 6.2 Kb