Obituary: Robert Toombs Dorough, July 1898 - Smith County, TX Contributed by Vicki Betts 10 January 2003 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************************** TEXAS CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE, September 22, 1898, p. 14, c. 2-3 DOROUGH.—Robert Toombs Dorough was born in Oglethorpe County, State of Georgia, March 18, 1839, and died in Tyler, Texas, July, 1898. From date of his birth to date of his death, what stirring scenes, what mighty events occurred! The tremendous issues involved were both national and religious. The results growing out of these issues entered into individual and home life, wrecking or building up each according as the grace of God was used or not used. Looking back over the past, we recall some who went down in the awful struggle that tried men's souls. We recall also many whom nothing could slake from their steadfast purpose. They illustrate the possibilities of a human soul when the question is settled to do right. The subject of this obituary belongs to the latter class. Bro. Dorough was a noble layman and served his day and generation with a manly and earnest devotion. General Robert Toombs, of Georgia, saw in him the strong- minded and splendid manhood, though yet a youth, and sent him to college. He remained in school with credit to himself, and would have completed his collegiate course, but serious and continued sickness in his father's home caused him to give up the fair prospect before him and return to care for the family. To read of the devotion to those dependent upon him is an inspiration. The death of his father placed in his care four single sisters to be educated. This he did by giving up his own opportunity to complete his education, both in a military and literary school. When the Civil War broke out he was among the first to enlist; was elected Captain of his company, sent to Virginia, and as one of Stonewall Jackson's men fought on from beginning until Lee sheathed his sword at Appomattox. At nineteen years of age he professed religion. The devotion he had for home and country, he laid it upon the altar of God and the Church. Here he never flinched. When the war closed he returned to his native State to find her cities burned, her fields laid waste, and her sad and weary people well-nigh in hopeless despair. Nothing deterred him. He began at once to serve God and to build up his impoverished land. In Carnesville, Ga., he commenced his work as an official in the Church. In 1870 he moved to Tyler, Texas. The first Sabbath after his arrival he united with the Church and was given an official relation. For more than twenty-seven years he was steward. Whatever work the Church assigned him he did with his might. It is worthy of note that his home was ever the home of the orphan, relative and stranger alike. An excellent lady, now married, says: "I lived in his home as an orphan for eleven years, and ruing all that time he never spoke an unkind word to me." A short time since while stepping from a moving train he received an injury that resulted in his death. He said to his oldest a son a few days before he died: "I am hurt much worse than you all think; I shall never get well. I am prepared to go." Thus this noble Christian layman lived, and "he died well." I was once his pastor. For four years I served him and was quite intimate with him. During that period, or since, I have never heard a word that would in any way reflect on him as a member of the Church or a man of business. He was a man of fine disposition—happy with his family and friends, affable, placable and courteous in his manner. He always appeared to me as a man who was right before God, and he knew it. He was neither patronizing nor apologetic, but transparent, modest and courageous. A stranger on meeting him would not possibly know his creed, but would recognize him as a religious gentleman, courteous, punctual, generous. If it be true that every man we met in some way mingles with our being and modifies it, I see no reason why any man should regret having met Bro. R. T. Dorough. But his work is done. He has fallen on sleep. He has ascended upon high. He is at home at last. He leaves a wife and several children to mourn their loss, but he has left them the heritage of a good name. If they but follow Christ as he followed him, "some sweet day" they will meet to part no more. D. F. C. TIMMONS.