Chappell obits: Laurens CO. GA Submitted by: Scott E. Warren Transcribed by Suzanne T. Coker thecokers@juno.com ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** Thought you might like these two obituaries of Dr. James Thomas Chappell to go on the Laurens Co. page. James Thomas Chappell b. September 10, 1830 Twiggs Co., GA d. December 22, 1899 Dublin, Laurens Co., GA Buried Stanley Family Cemetery, Laurens Co., GA Suzanne Coker >From "The Dublin Courier-Herald," Thursday, December 28, 1899: IS NOW AT REST "The city of Dublin was shocked on Friday afternoon when it was announced a few minutes after 3 o'clock that Dr. James T. Chappell had breathed his last. "For some months he had been ill, but it was hoped that his strong will would succeed in throwing off the malady which took him away, but it was too deeprooted to be reached by medicine and careful nursing, and at last his constitution gave way and his spirit winged its flight to the realms of glory to enjoy the fruits of a well spent life. "Dr. Chappell was born in Twiggs County, Georgia, September 10, 1830, and came from distinguished lineage, one of his ancestors, Capt. Chappell, having been commander of the "Speedwell," the companion boat to the "Mayflower." Dr. Chappell united himself with Poplar Spring Baptist Church and at the time of his death was the oldest member of that church. On October 18, 1855, he was married to Miss Harriet Athalia Stanley, daughter of Ira Stanley. He left his widow and five sons to mourn his demise. "When the war between the states began, he joined the forces of his native state and was elected Captain of Company G, 49th Georgia regiment, which was later attached to Anderson's brigade, A. P. Hill's corps, Hampton's legion. He was a brave soldier and with his company participated in the battles of Seven Pines, Mechanicsvilles, Gaines' Mill, Frazier's Farm, Cold Harbor, Cedar Run and second Manassas. During this last battle he was wounded and upon recovery was transferred to the medical department and made chairman of the conscripting board of the 4th district of North Carolina with head-quarters in Wilmington. After the war he returned to Laurens Couhty where he practiced medicine and engaged in farming. He was graduated from the college of Physicians and Surgeons at Philadephia, his preceptor being the eminent Prof. Agnew, who was one of President Garfield's surgeons at the time of his death. "Some years since Dr. Chappell abandoned the practice of medicine, but continued to manage his various farms and other property successfully. He represented Laurens County two terms in the legislature. His first term was served early after the war's end and his second term but a few years since. In 1891 he moved to Dublin and a short time thereafter was elected an alderman of the city. During his life he held various positions of honor and trust, all of which he filled to the satisfaction of his constituents. "The sincerity of his devotion was the charm of his success. He was prudent, sagacious, laborious and wise. He consulted the people's interest just as he would have done his own. His positions were thoroughly taken, securely fortified and boldly defended. He was a sentinel who never left the post of duty, in the discharge of which he performed well his part and had left to posterity the results of a useful life, a spotless record and an honored name. "In the death of Dr. Chappell Laurens County loses an upright citizen, the church a faithful and conscientious member, and his family a loving and tender husband. a fond and devoted father. "Funeral services were held over his remains by Rev. R. E. Neighbour and interment was in the Stanley cemetery twelve miles north of Dublin. He was interred with Masonic honors, being a member of Laurens Lodge # 75 F. & A. M., and despite the inclement weather a number of friends and acquaintances gathered at the burying ground to pay the last tribute of respect to his memory. The Courier-Dispatch, in common with all the people of Laurens county, extend to the family and relatives its heartiest sympathy over his death." # >From "The Atlanta Constitution": (clipping with no date) "News has been received in the city of the death of Dr. J. T. Chappell of Laurens County, one of the best known and most prominent citizens of that section of the state. "Dr. Chappell was a member of the famous alliance legislature of 1890 and 1891. He was quite an influential political charactrer, not only in Laurens county, but throughout the state, coming forward prominently in alliance affairs from 1888 to 1893. "He was a man of splendid character and stood among the first in his community. As a practicing physician, which profession he followed the greater part of his life, he was of unusual popularity and was know personally perhaps to every man in the county. A leading citizen of Laurens county was in the city a few hours yesterday and stated that the death of Dr. Chappell had been felt by rich and poor alike; that the community had been benefitted by his presence there to an extent not fully appreciated until after his death."