Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-11-23

HON. FLEMING DUBTGEoN.
condition grew critical, and FOR two days
past his death has been hourly expected.
lie passed away about 2:l0 o'clock, sur
rounded by his family.
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
Fleming Grantland duBignon was born
on July ., 1852, at the old family home
stead. WOodville plantation. near Mil
| ledgeville. in Baldwin county, Ga.
His father was Charles duBignon. He
was born on Jekyl Island, Glynn county,
Ca, January l. 1904 Charles duBignon's
father came TO Jekyl Island and settled
IL I'm the early years of the last century.
He was a Royalist in France and found
the French revolution and the Napoleonic
era uncongeniaL Charles duBignon serv-
. ed his country I'm one of the Indians wars
and in the civil war he was an unreserv-
eddy loyal Confederate. He served as
captain in the Governors Horse Guard,
of NIuledgevflle, in Cobb's legion of cav
airy.
Mr.. Fleming duBignon's mother still
lives at the old family homestead. She
is a daughter of Hon. Seaton Grantland,
who served for several years as repre-
sentative Of Georgia in the United States
congress, and her paternal grandfather
was a patriot in the Continental line
during the Revolution.
Mr.. Fleming duBignon secured his pre-
liminary education at the Virginia Mil
itary institute, after which he took a law
course at the University Of Virginia ana
was admitted to the bar OF Georgia in
1873.
He engaged in the practice of his pro-
fession I'm AIilledgeville, where his success
was marked, and he soon rose to promi-
hence along professional and public lines.
He served two years on the bench as
Judge of the county court of Baldwin
county. In 1Ss0-s he represented that
county in the Georgia house Of represent
atives. In 1928 he was a member of the
state senate, representing the 10th dis
trict.
He was a candidate for the presidency
of the senate and was defeated by one
vote If he had been chosen to that office
he would have succeeded Alexander H.
Stephens as governor of Georgia by oper-
alton of law.
In 1883 he removed to the city of Savan-
nah and the following year was elected
solicitor general Of the eastern circuit.
Before the expiration of his term he
was again elected to the senate in order
to break deadlock in the senatorial con-
vention. This election was not of his
seeking and he had no notice thereof
dlNeE
He was elected president OF the senate.
filling that office during the years 1885,
1889.
In 1886 ne was a candidate for the Uni
ted States senate. He ran on the gold
platform. He was defeated by the late
Charles F. Crisp.
In 1897 he was elected chairman OF the
Democratic executive committee of the
state and remained as such for three
years. when he resigned.
In 1881 and again in 1892 he was a dele
gate from the state at large to the DEM
Ocratic national convention, being chair
man of the Georgia delegation I'm 1892 and
jealous supporter Of Grover Cleveland
I'm the convention hall.
In 1889 he could probably have had the
nomination by the Democratic party for
the Office OF governor. He declined to
consider this, however, in order to devote
more time to the practice Of his profess
sion.
He was a member Of the firm of CHS
holm, Erwin & duBignon, and then of
Erwin, duBignon, Chisholm & Clay.
These firms did a large practice I'm Sa-
vannah. They were general counsel for
the Plant System OF railways and of the
Southern Express company, and did
large general practice besides. He was
subsequently a member of the firm of
duBignon & Stephens.
GREAT JURY LAWYER.
Mr.. duBignon's greatest power as law
yer was as a jury advocate. His great
speeches in noted criminal causes are
yet remembered and have become a part
Of the traditions of the Georgia bar.
He moved to Atlanta in 1902, where he
has since resided.
Mr.. duBignon was chairman Of the
board of trustees of the Georgia Normal
school at Milledgeville, and was ex-officio
a trustee of the University of Georgia.
For long time before the Georgia Nor
nal school was created he was on the
board Of trustees of the university. He
took great pride in the Georgia Normal
and was deeply interested in its great
work.
Although not a graduate of the Univer-
] sity Of Georgia, il had no more cordial
and hearty supporter. He never lost an
opportunity to aid it and to speak its
praise.
November 26. 1874. he was married to
Miss Caro- Lamar. of Savannah. who sur
wives him. The children OF this union
are Mrs. Robert c. Aston, of Atlanta;
Miss Anne Grantland duBignon, Of At
lanta; Mr.. Charles duBignon, of Allan
ia. and Mrs. w. c. A. Henry. of Column
bus, Ohio.
He had three grandchildren, two of
whom are the children of Mrs. Henry,
and the other the son of Mr.. Charles
duBignon, who bears his grapdfather's
name.
He is survived. by one sister, Mrs. Gen.
! G.. NJ Sorrell. General Correll was the
chief Of stan to General LOngstreet dur
/ ing the Confederate war.
He is also survived by one brother. Mr.
/ c. p. duBignon. who resides at the old
homestead in Baldwin county.
AS a public man Mr.. duBignon had the
confidence Of the people to a remarkable
: degree, and deserved it by his frank and
! just department. For many years he was
very great factor in all things political
| In Georgia