The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-04-20
Aged Physician Sue cumbs to Illness.
LOVED BY TIE ENTRE CITY
Overwhelmed With Congratulations
 on Recent Birthday.
octegenarian Had Made His Home h Montgemery since the Close of the war, and Had Many
 Fr1ends.

Dr. R. F. Michel. one of the oldest and most distinguished physicians of the State and for forty years promi- nent figure in the professional and so- ciai life of Montgomery. died last night at s:s5 o'clock at his home, 42o Madi- son Avenue.
 Until he was 80 years of age and un- til few months ago he retained the mental vigor and bodily activity that characterized him throughout his long and useful life. A few months ago the venerable physician who was so es- teemed in Montgomery was stricken with a severe attack of the grip. which in his advanced age went Into second- ary bronchitis.
 On the 18th of last February pr. Michel celebrated his eightieth birth day. It was an event in which the en- tire city of Montgomery took an inter est and pr. Michel was showered with congratulations and good wishes.
 The physicians of Montgomery de- sired to pay tribute to the dean of their profession and one of its chief orna- ments. It was intended that their trib- ute should take the form of a public entertainment, but pr. Michel was then suffering from the illness from which he never recovered.
 Loved in Montgomery.
 But throughout all the day the mes- eages and congratulations came In ana he learned to know, if he never knew it before. the height of the admiration entertained for him by his fellow phy- sicfans and the depth of the affection felt for him by the people of Montgom- cry. To few men Is 1t given to realize how fruitful was their life and in what affection they are held. as 1t was given to Dr. Michel
 The family of Dr. Michel was promi- nent in Charleston. where he was born in 1927. His father was physician and his brother practiced in the pro- descended from a union of prominent Scotch and French family and . family known for It's intelligence and culture.
 He served the Confederate Army s surgeon through the four years of the great war At the close of the war, he changed his home from Charleston and entered upon the practice or medicine In Montgomery.
 He immediately took a high rank in the medical profession in Alabama. In Montgomery he grew into the esteem of the people of the city, until not only as a physician, but as man. he was given a place as one of the most prom inent citizens of Montgomery.
 He possessed to @ rare degree those BWoIA ana byluPdIucLlC WHICH ED characterized the family physician of other years and even in his later years he maintained the habits of study and research that had always characterized him and given him reputation among the members of his profession.
 Had Reputation us Author.
 Notwithstanding that his life was most active, Dr. Michel found time to devote to literature and science. On Al ,t1 hA aIr authority. He had not only store of information upon these subjects, but he had, too, the gift of expression. Some of his contributions on medi sai and other subjects published in various Journals gave him @ wide reputation. His writings of medical subjects have been complimented by the best author tiles.
 Dr. Michel was the first surgeon to enter the service of the Confederate States at the outbreak of hostilities between the States in 1861. He was residing in Charleston at the time. practicing with his brother. and he went with General Beauregard to Fort Moultrfe upon the first whisper of war.
 His brother was Dr. William Mid dleton Michel. who later was profes- sor of physiology at the College Of Charleston, and a distinguished lec- turer upon subjects with which his profession had to do.
 He was connected by marriage with Paul H. Hayne. the famous Southern poet, his sister. Mary Middleton Michel. having been the wife of the great poet.
 Upon both the paternai and maternal side, Dr. Michel was descended from some of the most famous families of AA o1N NUnrId Hfa fafhAp ted French surgeon before him, and his mother was of the race of Scotch lords.
 Distinguished Ancestry.
 His father, Dr. William Michel, was e surgeon under the great Napoleon, and while serving in the army of the Corsican during his historic cam paigns throughout Europe. attended to the wounds of some of the men whose names became famous through their exploits. He was himself wounded at the battle of Leipsic.
 Later in his life, Dr. Michel, the father. was sent a medal by the third Napoleon, as a tribute to one of the survivors of the First Napoleon's cam paigns.
 On his mothers side. Dr. Michel was descended from the Lord Novat branch of the Fraser family of Scotland.
 Dr. MlOnel was HldrTicu F SUEudTy 10, 1854, to Miss Annie River, who has walked with him through all the years that have intervened, and who was still at the bedside ot her beloved hus- band when the death angel made his summons last evening.
 Two children, the fruit of this mar riage, survive their father, and were with their mother when the end came. They are William Middleton Michel and Mrs. Fred G. Hammond, both of ontgomtery. There are also two grandchildren, Fred Gordon Hammond. Ur, and Fraser Michel Hammond
 During his residence in Alabama, Dr. Michel had been very prominent In va rious affairs of his adopted State. and especially so in connection with the affairs of his profession. to which he devoted his lifes energies. He served during his lifetime as President of the Alabama State Medical Association which has just concluded its annual session at Mobile. and his death leaves but a single survivor of the original organizers of that association.
 He was for many years member or the Board of Health of Montgomery, and at the tune of his death was the
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