The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-02-28
IN MEMORIAM.
mrs. Martha FRnnin moTgan.

mrs. Martha FRnnin Morgan.
None save those intimate friends whC
were familiar with the exceptionally tender
ties that hound together tho husband and
wife, the mother an her children, aud who
knew something Of the in tense and protrant-
ed suffering that she endured in her last IN.
ness, can form a conception Of the sadness
of the death of Mr., MARrHA FANSIN MoR.
GAN, wits Of Judge RO, ert J. Morgan, on
the night Of February q, 1886, az her resi-
dence m Memphis. Tenn.
IL is fitting that one who may justly claim
TO have enioyed tho privilege Of beiug Of the
I circle OF the most VALUED and ihtima G
friends OF the deceased, should record y
I BRIEF and simple memorial Of her life and
. csnractT.
Mrs. MoRGAN was born at Mil dgey lie,
Ga, on the 18th December, IS 3, aud was
married 10 Robert j. Morgan on the 18th
September, 1855, when she removed from
her ancestral homo to Lagrange, Ga. In
| March, 1859, she came, with her husband and
family, 70 Memphis. whore she resided until
/ her death
/ heart and miod from an honOred ancestry.
Her father, Or. Tomlinstn Fort, was n dis
| tnguished citizen OF Georgia and loader of
thought In medicine and public affairs dur
State, which terminated only with his death
In 1889. kven at this distance OF time. so
deep 10 the impression that remains Of his
honorable life that ali who are acquainted
with Its details must receive conviction Of
his remarkable powers. He was enabled By
q CO bination OF rare qualities Of character
to achieve not only Oh Sminence in his
profession but also great dali, elton as a
public man. Ordinarily, i u the accepted
tastes, talents and habits hat II : man m for for
professional sneetss and thoqo that enable
him 70 win distinction Ia public lifo, that
success In both 10 Unavoidable. But the
career Of DR.. Fort, shords proof that this
may SAFELY BE affirmed Of him That no man
In the south occupied moro exalts posi-
ton In the medical professlon, and at the
50 Q time welded more influence In public
physiean, and Of. the SAme time q saga
eious statesman. For number Of years he
held high position as 4 member Of the Loeis-
lAture q Georaia, fog q time he was q NON.
ber Of Congress-, aud he ropea' eddy declined
higher public trusts that were rendered him,
He was stern and lnasxible in his opinions
and habits, and at all timos charitable and
ompassionate IN dealing with the failures
and fOibles Of his fellow men. Moreover, to
these eminent on sowEzents Of the humsnfta
rian no added the qualities that endeAr In
the domestic circle, 20 that his daughter, the
,ubject OF this sketch, has Oft on heard
TO say that beyond all earthly possessions she
priced the memory OF her father.
The Fannin family from which her mother
sprang, was illuktyiOus, not only In George
but throughout the country. James W. Fan
min, who fell in the Fam IN massacre at Go
was a cousin of Mr. Fort, and the energy
and decision VII 'h gaNe him leadership
ams ng men were .ut NIFTY characteristics.
As has been said Of her by another, Mrs.
Fort had blended In her veins tho blood OF
qualities Of both wese often illustrated. She |
Was pioue and devoted member Of tho
Methodist Church, aud BY her humility. and
silent charities shS Icntcted the spirit Of her
N he - H..
same time so decided and fssoiute In the
maintenance and defense Of her Christian
principles that no aacriheo was too dear 10
be made for them. Her political opinions
Having In early lifo enjoyed social inter.
eoureo with such mon as Clay, Webster,
jackson and Calhoun, sho lpbibed high SEN
tim. nte Of patriotism, and her telllgenee
ensbled her At all tines 70 ayow and defend
tmons women IN hor section during tho late
war, and either headed on aided among her
sex all enterprises for tho folief and encour-
agement Of the Southern cause. Her prin;
these she incuIcatod on der children and
friends TO a remarkable decree. In q word,
II may be said. Of her that while never for
getting the n Obesity OF the woman, aud never
she was so robust In her Intellectual deVol-
0pmont, so intelligent In her opinions, so
constellation in her convictions si duty, so
liked In her principles and 80 uncomprQmis-
inE In Der practices, TINT she ostablished
character that oxcollcd that OF woman. She,
toward the close Of her life, Occupied the po-
sition In 0eorgia OF n woman OF mark, and
challenged tho reverence and EdmretiOB Of
the people % her state; Whop, tow yesrs
press semcd with tr.buteS b ber memory
such az are n'ually reserved for men, who
haye Ellbd large spaso III the aaLiOn 's.syo
and have won nation's grief
With ih S, kneTlodeo Of such PAR .ntAEe y
and sterling ", nth Of Mrs, MOrgan's oharao- |
tor. Having Inherited a vigorous intellect, |
with proclivity 20 original and indopend- |
emit thought. she did not fail 10 strengthen
her powers by cultivation, and her habit was
to invettigate and form dec dod opinions |
upon important subjects, which she never
hesitated IN modest, womanly way to pro-
nOunco. She was gifted as musician, was |
pos ossod Of taste Tor tho study of art, and
found an exquisite enjoyment In the science |
Of botany. Her intimate friends all romem.
Der the enthusiasm with VIII oh she described |
the ilOra OF the mountain after her return |
the past summer from a soipurn In cloud
land But tho gifts and graces of her mind |
were eolipsed By tho rare excellence of her |
moral attributes, She was singularly de-
voted 10 her iriond'; she disdainod the tin
sci and triyolity Of tho fashionable world,
and cOmmisoraied tho weakness and vice Of .
Discrimination which she saw in H.. Her life
was eminontly pure, and her constant effort
was to pass each day without Oifenso to God
or man: Her faith and hope. as a Christian,
were bright and uudimmod. Without
atonemSnt Of her Savior, u'' she !" fell
asleep" " death. And we, who knew
her best, mourn the loss Of true and noble
friend, and can attest that her friendship
selfish and devoted sentiment that fllus-
trated, h. It's steadfast loyalty, the sincerity
and nobility of tho soul that gave IL being.