Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1895-12-18
Resolutions of Respect.
To the Johnson City Lodge No. 4S6, F.
and A. NJ.

ioui ooulniitIee appointed TO ufa1t
and report to this Lodge a memorial
touching the life aud character of
Brother Felix w. Earnest, a member of
this Lodge and also a member of Thos.
E. Matson Chapter No. 1871 of r A. NJ.
in johnson City, Tennessee, beg leave
to report as follows:
Brother Earnest was born on the 18th
day of September, 1882 and died Octo-
Der 3, 1895. He came of that sturdy
stock of Earnests which has furnished
Greene County for more than Il century
with many of its most prominent and
most useful citizens. In religion he
was devout, often enthusiastic, but
broad and catholic; in early life he
became Il Methodist, was intensely
loyal to his church, was an active
church worker and commanded such
influence that twice he was elected to
a seat in the highest tribunal of a
church numbering one and Il quarter
million of communicates and was by
the Bishop of said church appointed a
delegate to the Centennial Conference
of Methodism at Baltimore, in 1884.
He chose the law as his profession. but
the war between the States coming on
he volunteered into the Confederate
ranks-made a faithful and gallant
soldier, rose to the rank of Major and
ut the surrender without q blot upon
his character sheathed the sword at
Cleveland Tennessee, then entered his
chosen profession at Blountville, Ten
nessee, where as the law partner of the
brilliant VIM. Henry Maxwell, and
later at Jonesboro, Tennessee, as the
law partner Of Judge H. II. Ingersoll,
he established the character of a con
scientious, painstaking and safe law.
yer. He was elected Il State Senator
for the First Senatorial District of Ten
nessee and served not only faithfully
WV WY SLiSiSnIIy' liz was beleCJeu
by the Chief Executive of Tennessee
as a suitable person for trustee of the
Tennessee Asylum for the Insane, near
Nashville, and this marked apprecia-
ton of his ability and high character
was shared by all the succeeding Gov
ernors for twenty years under whom he
was reappOinted continuously to a
trusteeship. Serving the only State
Asylum near Nashville until the Asy-
lum was erected in the eastern division
of the State near Knoxville, which
latter he served most efficiently during
Its entire history to the time of his
death. He left Washington City to
attend the annual meeting of the Board
of Trustees for Eastern Insane Asylum
at Knoxville, returned to his old home
in Greene County where in feebleness
he tarried with his brother, rallied,
came to Jonesboro to the home of one
OF his Sons where lingering a few days,
he fell asleep and thus closed an honor.
able and useful life. Mark the perfect
man and behold the upright, for. the
end of that man is peace
Brother Earnest was a Mason in the
high and true sense. lie believed in
and practiced the principles of Mason
ry. He was charitable and benevolent,
whether in the lodge, in his church or
in his office, on all questions involving
a moral his position was as well known
before as after action. He was a ty .
of high moral character. Some of
your committee knew Major Earnest
for many years and most of the time
Intimately and it is a pleasure to say,
that it was in the family and social
circle where his virtues shone most re-
splendent. He was all kindness to his
wife and children and loved them with
a devotion truly sublime. In the social
circle he was polished, was the warm
hearted gentleman entertaining and
cordial. lie was warm and hearty in
his attachments. was obliging to the
point of self privation, was true in his
friendship and professed q broad
charity for all mankind.
He leaves a widow, three sons and
two daughters all grown and all mar
ried except the youngest, a son.
Resolved, That Masonry has lost q
friend and while we mourn the loss Of
~ brother removed from the Lodge
below to the Lodge above with sympa.
thy profound, we turn TO her most
crushed and to the beloved children
and tenderly commend them 10 the
keeping of Him who cares for the
widow and the orphan and to the kind
consideration of all worthy Masons.
Resolved. That we will cherish the
memory of our worthy brother deceased
and that in memory of his many
virtues we will spread the foregoing
preamble and these resolutions upon
the minute book of our lodge, and that
the altar of our lodge be draped with
mourning for thirty days,
Resolved, That a copy of the fore
going preamble and these resolutions
be furnished the family of the deceased
and that the papers of Johnson City
and of Jonesboro be requested to pub
fish this memorial.
Respectfully submitted.
E. G. REEVES
II. II. CARR, fCom.