The Hickman courier., 1918-01-03
THos. a. LEDFoRD DEAD.
WAS LEADING BUSINESS MAN

Like the sequel 20 q trdf edg g--" "a
the dying OF the old year-on Us last
day. came the death of one % hicA-
mans most prominent citizens eud
leading business men - Thomas AM
drew Ledford. The end came peace
fuLy-haH expecfedly-at IL o'clock.
Monday morning. Dec. 81. 'af-er an
illness covering "a perfsa Of beFer-i
months. Pleures.. f4rthcr az uF-
ed b. u weak heslt. ~as assigned as
the c2use OF ceath.
ar. Le1rord'5 career embraced al
the Siiments implied b. the express
tha elements Implied by the eXprts-
tie abort o. a business romance. 10
vas born March II. 1867. on a Farm
nea- Roaring Springs. Ky When q
mere lad. single-handed. he struck
o- without means or money -o iita
ths battle OF life. and landed -f
Hickman looking Tor job. iis
business career slates from lss6 tla
yea5 he arrived here. aud began work
ing ga a grocery store for p T.
Case az 81 week. By successive
steps and unusual persistency and
business ability he rose from has
humble beginning 70 that Of "a bank
president: also one OF the larE g.
planters in Western Kentucky. opar-
ating more than 1000 acres of land.
together with many other business in-I
-terests. 10 may b. said. with al
wealthies men GA This end O. the
state Is "a result. Besides his ac-
complishments in the financial wor.d
he achieved an enviable place in the
esteem and admiration of his fel-
lowmen. His reputation for honesty
business ability. integrity. industry,
made him a leader ir. all matters OF
business with wh.-n he was connected
and won for fsrr hosts or friends.
As stated above. be began work
for Mr.. Case. later he worked for ID.
b. Bryant, then became Interested an
business under the firm names Of
Ledford g. Rogers. next II. A. Led
ford and finally the grocery firm ~
LedfOrd a. Randie. This firm was es-
tablished iu 1900 and continued in
business II years. being dissolved
last March Ga order that Mr. Ledford
might devote his entire time to his
biz farming interests.
Shortly after purchasing the bus
mess OF ID. b. Bryant. Mr.. Ledford
was united in marriage with Miss
Pearl Bryant, a daushter Of ID T.
Bryant, the wedding occurring May
31st. 1893. This union was blessed
with two children. son. Bryant. and
= daughter, Mrs. X. c. Stone. who
survive their father as does also
the mother and wife. Besides fhese.
who mourn his loss. he leaves a
mother. Mrs. Fannie Ledford: one
sister. Mrs Humphreys: three broth
ers. Wickliffe. Sidney and Walter
Ledford, all OF whom reside in Trigg
county. except the last named. whose
home Is an Texas.
Mr.. Ledford was slightly past 80
years OF age. and 80 years OF his
life was spent in this city. His
passing leaves a vacancy that VIII De-
hard 20 fIlL In his quiet. Unassuming g
way. he made many friends and was
a valued citizen. A. the time of
his death. Ny. Ledford was president
OF the Farmers 4 Merchants Bank,
a member OF the Fulton County Le-
wee Board and has held numerous re-
sponsiblo positions. He vas also a
member or the Elks lodge OF this
city.
On account OF his large business
Interests. Mr. LedfOrd found little
time In recreation or play. lie was
busv business man. But he
hal planned 70 set his affairs IN
shape TO shift the burden OF respon-
sibility IN a measure and enjoy the
fruits OF his labor. Here again is
another striking example-three or
four OF which We recall right here
I'm Hickman in recent ycars-impress
ing the sad truth OF the lines pen
ned By Burns. who said. that the
best laid plans OF mice aud men viii
ofttimes 60 astray" Yet. We must
admit that ambition and ultimate
success Is the chief aim OF all and i
both lacdable and counendable. Re
gard.ess OF the uncertainty OF
life and the mystery OF death.
impresalve and largely attended
funeral se.'iees wee held at the fam
sly residence this afternoon by Rev
r. c. Douglass and Rev. r. NJ. Walk
er. OF the Methodist churches OF
Hickman s-c Union CITY. respectively