Obituary: J. T. Fontaine, 26 Dec 1898 - Smith County, TX Contributed by Vicki Betts 11 January 2003 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************************** TEXAS CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE, February 23, 1899, p. 14, c. 1 FONTAINE.—Rev. J. T. Fontaine was born March 13, 1819, and died at his home, near Starrville, Smith county, Texas, December 26, 1898. He was married to Elizabeth A. Ralls, January 2, 1845. After her death he was married the second time, to Mrs. Annie Walters, October 17, 1878, with whom he lived happily until her death, which occurred a little over one year ago. Dr. Fontaine, as he was usually called, studied medicine in early life, was a very successful doctor, and continued to practice until near the close of life. He was converted when 18 years of age, while living in Kentucky. He joined the M. E. Church, and after moving to Louisiana he was called to preach and joined the Louisiana Conference of the M. E. Church, South, and traveled in that conference for several years. Just before or during the war, he located and after the war began moved his negroes to Smith County, Texas, where he lived the most of the time until his death. Bro. Fontaine came into the experience of "holiness" under the preaching of Rev. R. L. Averill some twelve years ago, and was ever a faithful, fearless witness and advocate of this glorious Bible doctrine until his death. He joined the Texas Conference of the Free Methodist Church in 1888 and raveled in that conference there years, where his labors were highly appreciated. His third year was at San Antonio. He located on account of his great age, but remained a local preacher in that Church until his death. He leaves several children and grandchildren to mourn their loss. A married daughter lives in Smith County, his oldest son in Milam County, who is a practicing physician and a local preacher in the M. E. Church, South, and his youngest son, O. C. Fontaine, is quite a prominent minister in the North Texas Conference of the M. E. Church, South, and present pastor of the Floyd Street Church, Dallas, Texas. The writer was not privileged to be with him during his last sickness, but being closely associated with him in the ministry, and knowing his life for the past ten years so well, we know that his end was peace, and his life and his influence will long be felt in the neighborhoods where he has lived and labored so faithfully for the salvation of lost souls. GEORGE M'CULLOCH. Lawrence, Texas.