IN MEMORIUM
Captain John Taylor Rather died at the residence of his son, Gen. John D. Rather in Tuscumbia, on Monday the 3rd day of January 1881. He was a native of Prince Edward County, Va., and was born on the 14th of March 1792, and was consequently nearly eighty-nine years of age. More than sixty-three years ago, when in the vigor of young manhood, the deceased moved to the Territory of Alabama, and settled in what was then known as Cotaco County, immediately where the county site of Morgan now stands; with his own hands he built the first house that was ever erected in Somerville, and for a long number of years was a resident of that place.
He was so prominent and intimately connected with every public interest of this County, that his life forms a part of the history of the same.
In 1820 he was chosen to represent it in the Lower House of the General Assembly, the Second Legislature of the then New State and while the Capitol was at Cahala. His public service in this capacity gave such general satisfaction that he was nine times re-elected to the same responsible position and in 1835 was chosen a member of the Senate. After this he was trusted with various important interests in the county and took an active part in all that tended to promote the interest and welfare of the people.
In 1865 when the Dark Days of the War had ended and the gloom of devastation and chaos was hanging in thick folds over the South, his ripe experience and wise counsel were again needed, and the people who had hitherto honored and trusted him, commissioned him to represent Morgan County in the Reconstruction Convention. A year or two after, he moved to Tuscumbia and resided with his only child, General Rather, until his death. His long residence and useful life here created reciprocity of good feeling between him and the citizens of the County and this was naturally followed by mutual endearment, since he made frequent visits and often spent weeks with his old friends and fond admirers. He was always a welcome guest, the easiest chair, the best meal, and the softest bed were prepared for him, and we have seen an interesting and excited street conversation calmed or silenced by his approach, such respect and veneration had all for his presence.
The last time he visited Decatur was in October, on the occasion of the reunion of himself, Col. McElderry, Gov. Chapman, Gen. McClellan and Judge Campbell, all at one time residents of this county.
The writer was present and witnessed their greeting, cordial fellowship and listened with great pleasure to the recitals of incidents of the pioneer days of the country.
Precious old men! Their next meeting will be beyond the chilling tide. Whatever may have been a leading characteristic of Capt. Rather in his younger days, he was eminently sociable and full of humor in his old age. After the usual infirmities of advanced life came upon him, he was vivacious and young in spirit, always cheerful and had a word of encouragement for the depressed and despondent. He was a man of inflexible integrity and in his public and private life was governed by principle rather than policy and hence his advice was sought and his judgment much relied upon. He was a just man; exacted nothing of others that he did not accord to them. The Golden Rule was the guide of his life. He was public spirited and liberal; prompt in meeting his liabilities and unstinted in a judicious expenditure of his means. At the beginning of last year he called to pay in advance, the subscription price of this paper, and remarked, "I never want my paper and my preaching on credit."
Better than all our venerable and reverend friend was a Christian. For more than half a century he was an exemplary member of the Methodist Church and during the greater part of his time filled the office of Steward. The honors of official station and the duties of public life did not cause him to reject nor neglect his place and duties in the church. In the prime of life when his intellect was strong, and his limbs active, he accepted the claim of the Christian religion and when old age and infirmities came on he enjoyed the comforts of the same, and being emancipated from the cares and affections of life was entered upon the full fruition of that "Hope which is anchor to the Soul."
Soon after moving to Somerville, Captain Rather was married to Miss Barbara Walker McClellan, sister of Gen. W.B. McClellan of Talladega . By this wife was born one child, Gen. John D. Rather, President of the present Alabama Senate. Subsequently he was again married to Miss Susan H. Roberts of Somerville, sister to Mrs. John Banks. The graves of both of these are in the cemetery at Somerville. When the last wife was buried a space between her grave and that of the former was left for his own sepulture, and there he was interred last Tuesday.
In May of last year (1880) he visited the sacred spot and looked upon the green turf that grew over the dust of forms so dear, and while the pearly tear coursed its way down his furrowed face, he said, "soon this old body will be sleeping between them."
We spoke of the probability of his living several years longer, but he said at last overcome by his feelings, "the next time I am here it will be for burial." True to his words it was so. The wheels of nature, worn by weary years, had ceased to move. "the old body" was dead, but the beautiful regions of the redeemed, the house of clay is basking in the sunlight presence of Him who says to the good earth, "Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you." May his kindred and friends overtake him up there.
(written by L.H. Grubbs, editor of the Decatur News, published January 1881)
Obituary courtesy of Mary Ann Lee, [email protected]
Captain John Taylor Rather died at the residence of his son, Gen. John D. Rather in Tuscumbia, on Monday the 3rd day of January 1881. He was a native of Prince Edward County, Va., and was born on the 14th of March 1792, and was consequently nearly eighty-nine years of age. More than sixty-three years ago, when in the vigor of young manhood, the deceased moved to the Territory of Alabama, and settled in what was then known as Cotaco County, immediately where the county site of Morgan now stands; with his own hands he built the first house that was ever erected in Somerville, and for a long number of years was a resident of that place.
He was so prominent and intimately connected with every public interest of this County, that his life forms a part of the history of the same.
In 1820 he was chosen to represent it in the Lower House of the General Assembly, the Second Legislature of the then New State and while the Capitol was at Cahala. His public service in this capacity gave such general satisfaction that he was nine times re-elected to the same responsible position and in 1835 was chosen a member of the Senate. After this he was trusted with various important interests in the county and took an active part in all that tended to promote the interest and welfare of the people.
In 1865 when the Dark Days of the War had ended and the gloom of devastation and chaos was hanging in thick folds over the South, his ripe experience and wise counsel were again needed, and the people who had hitherto honored and trusted him, commissioned him to represent Morgan County in the Reconstruction Convention. A year or two after, he moved to Tuscumbia and resided with his only child, General Rather, until his death. His long residence and useful life here created reciprocity of good feeling between him and the citizens of the County and this was naturally followed by mutual endearment, since he made frequent visits and often spent weeks with his old friends and fond admirers. He was always a welcome guest, the easiest chair, the best meal, and the softest bed were prepared for him, and we have seen an interesting and excited street conversation calmed or silenced by his approach, such respect and veneration had all for his presence.
The last time he visited Decatur was in October, on the occasion of the reunion of himself, Col. McElderry, Gov. Chapman, Gen. McClellan and Judge Campbell, all at one time residents of this county.
The writer was present and witnessed their greeting, cordial fellowship and listened with great pleasure to the recitals of incidents of the pioneer days of the country.
Precious old men! Their next meeting will be beyond the chilling tide. Whatever may have been a leading characteristic of Capt. Rather in his younger days, he was eminently sociable and full of humor in his old age. After the usual infirmities of advanced life came upon him, he was vivacious and young in spirit, always cheerful and had a word of encouragement for the depressed and despondent. He was a man of inflexible integrity and in his public and private life was governed by principle rather than policy and hence his advice was sought and his judgment much relied upon. He was a just man; exacted nothing of others that he did not accord to them. The Golden Rule was the guide of his life. He was public spirited and liberal; prompt in meeting his liabilities and unstinted in a judicious expenditure of his means. At the beginning of last year he called to pay in advance, the subscription price of this paper, and remarked, "I never want my paper and my preaching on credit."
Better than all our venerable and reverend friend was a Christian. For more than half a century he was an exemplary member of the Methodist Church and during the greater part of his time filled the office of Steward. The honors of official station and the duties of public life did not cause him to reject nor neglect his place and duties in the church. In the prime of life when his intellect was strong, and his limbs active, he accepted the claim of the Christian religion and when old age and infirmities came on he enjoyed the comforts of the same, and being emancipated from the cares and affections of life was entered upon the full fruition of that "Hope which is anchor to the Soul."
Soon after moving to Somerville, Captain Rather was married to Miss Barbara Walker McClellan, sister of Gen. W.B. McClellan of Talladega . By this wife was born one child, Gen. John D. Rather, President of the present Alabama Senate. Subsequently he was again married to Miss Susan H. Roberts of Somerville, sister to Mrs. John Banks. The graves of both of these are in the cemetery at Somerville. When the last wife was buried a space between her grave and that of the former was left for his own sepulture, and there he was interred last Tuesday.
In May of last year (1880) he visited the sacred spot and looked upon the green turf that grew over the dust of forms so dear, and while the pearly tear coursed its way down his furrowed face, he said, "soon this old body will be sleeping between them."
We spoke of the probability of his living several years longer, but he said at last overcome by his feelings, "the next time I am here it will be for burial." True to his words it was so. The wheels of nature, worn by weary years, had ceased to move. "the old body" was dead, but the beautiful regions of the redeemed, the house of clay is basking in the sunlight presence of Him who says to the good earth, "Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you." May his kindred and friends overtake him up there.
(written by L.H. Grubbs, editor of the Decatur News, published January 1881)
Obituary courtesy of Mary Ann Lee, [email protected]
IN MEMORIUM
Captain John Taylor Rather died at the residence of his son, Gen. John D. Rather in Tuscumbia, on Monday the 3rd day of January 1881. He was a native of Prince Edward County, Va., and was born on the 14th of March 1792, and was consequently nearly eighty-nine years of age. More than sixty-three years ago, when in the vigor of young manhood, the deceased moved to the Territory of Alabama, and settled in what was then known as Cotaco County, immediately where the county site of Morgan now stands; with his own hands he built the first house that was ever erected in Somerville, and for a long number of years was a resident of that place.
He was so prominent and intimately connected with every public interest of this County, that his life forms a part of the history of the same.
In 1820 he was chosen to represent it in the Lower House of the General Assembly, the Second Legislature of the then New State and while the Capitol was at Cahala. His public service in this capacity gave such general satisfaction that he was nine times re-elected to the same responsible position and in 1835 was chosen a member of the Senate. After this he was trusted with various important interests in the county and took an active part in all that tended to promote the interest and welfare of the people.
In 1865 when the Dark Days of the War had ended and the gloom of devastation and chaos was hanging in thick folds over the South, his ripe experience and wise counsel were again needed, and the people who had hitherto honored and trusted him, commissioned him to represent Morgan County in the Reconstruction Convention. A year or two after, he moved to Tuscumbia and resided with his only child, General Rather, until his death. His long residence and useful life here created reciprocity of good feeling between him and the citizens of the County and this was naturally followed by mutual endearment, since he made frequent visits and often spent weeks with his old friends and fond admirers. He was always a welcome guest, the easiest chair, the best meal, and the softest bed were prepared for him, and we have seen an interesting and excited street conversation calmed or silenced by his approach, such respect and veneration had all for his presence.
The last time he visited Decatur was in October, on the occasion of the reunion of himself, Col. McElderry, Gov. Chapman, Gen. McClellan and Judge Campbell, all at one time residents of this county.
The writer was present and witnessed their greeting, cordial fellowship and listened with great pleasure to the recitals of incidents of the pioneer days of the country.
Precious old men! Their next meeting will be beyond the chilling tide. Whatever may have been a leading characteristic of Capt. Rather in his younger days, he was eminently sociable and full of humor in his old age. After the usual infirmities of advanced life came upon him, he was vivacious and young in spirit, always cheerful and had a word of encouragement for the depressed and despondent. He was a man of inflexible integrity and in his public and private life was governed by principle rather than policy and hence his advice was sought and his judgment much relied upon. He was a just man; exacted nothing of others that he did not accord to them. The Golden Rule was the guide of his life. He was public spirited and liberal; prompt in meeting his liabilities and unstinted in a judicious expenditure of his means. At the beginning of last year he called to pay in advance, the subscription price of this paper, and remarked, "I never want my paper and my preaching on credit."
Better than all our venerable and reverend friend was a Christian. For more than half a century he was an exemplary member of the Methodist Church and during the greater part of his time filled the office of Steward. The honors of official station and the duties of public life did not cause him to reject nor neglect his place and duties in the church. In the prime of life when his intellect was strong, and his limbs active, he accepted the claim of the Christian religion and when old age and infirmities came on he enjoyed the comforts of the same, and being emancipated from the cares and affections of life was entered upon the full fruition of that "Hope which is anchor to the Soul."
Soon after moving to Somerville, Captain Rather was married to Miss Barbara Walker McClellan, sister of Gen. W.B. McClellan of Talladega . By this wife was born one child, Gen. John D. Rather, President of the present Alabama Senate. Subsequently he was again married to Miss Susan H. Roberts of Somerville, sister to Mrs. John Banks. The graves of both of these are in the cemetery at Somerville. When the last wife was buried a space between her grave and that of the former was left for his own sepulture, and there he was interred last Tuesday.
In May of last year (1880) he visited the sacred spot and looked upon the green turf that grew over the dust of forms so dear, and while the pearly tear coursed its way down his furrowed face, he said, "soon this old body will be sleeping between them."
We spoke of the probability of his living several years longer, but he said at last overcome by his feelings, "the next time I am here it will be for burial." True to his words it was so. The wheels of nature, worn by weary years, had ceased to move. "the old body" was dead, but the beautiful regions of the redeemed, the house of clay is basking in the sunlight presence of Him who says to the good earth, "Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you." May his kindred and friends overtake him up there.
(written by L.H. Grubbs, editor of the Decatur News, published January 1881)
Obituary courtesy of Mary Ann Lee, [email protected]
Captain John Taylor Rather died at the residence of his son, Gen. John D. Rather in Tuscumbia, on Monday the 3rd day of January 1881. He was a native of Prince Edward County, Va., and was born on the 14th of March 1792, and was consequently nearly eighty-nine years of age. More than sixty-three years ago, when in the vigor of young manhood, the deceased moved to the Territory of Alabama, and settled in what was then known as Cotaco County, immediately where the county site of Morgan now stands; with his own hands he built the first house that was ever erected in Somerville, and for a long number of years was a resident of that place.
He was so prominent and intimately connected with every public interest of this County, that his life forms a part of the history of the same.
In 1820 he was chosen to represent it in the Lower House of the General Assembly, the Second Legislature of the then New State and while the Capitol was at Cahala. His public service in this capacity gave such general satisfaction that he was nine times re-elected to the same responsible position and in 1835 was chosen a member of the Senate. After this he was trusted with various important interests in the county and took an active part in all that tended to promote the interest and welfare of the people.
In 1865 when the Dark Days of the War had ended and the gloom of devastation and chaos was hanging in thick folds over the South, his ripe experience and wise counsel were again needed, and the people who had hitherto honored and trusted him, commissioned him to represent Morgan County in the Reconstruction Convention. A year or two after, he moved to Tuscumbia and resided with his only child, General Rather, until his death. His long residence and useful life here created reciprocity of good feeling between him and the citizens of the County and this was naturally followed by mutual endearment, since he made frequent visits and often spent weeks with his old friends and fond admirers. He was always a welcome guest, the easiest chair, the best meal, and the softest bed were prepared for him, and we have seen an interesting and excited street conversation calmed or silenced by his approach, such respect and veneration had all for his presence.
The last time he visited Decatur was in October, on the occasion of the reunion of himself, Col. McElderry, Gov. Chapman, Gen. McClellan and Judge Campbell, all at one time residents of this county.
The writer was present and witnessed their greeting, cordial fellowship and listened with great pleasure to the recitals of incidents of the pioneer days of the country.
Precious old men! Their next meeting will be beyond the chilling tide. Whatever may have been a leading characteristic of Capt. Rather in his younger days, he was eminently sociable and full of humor in his old age. After the usual infirmities of advanced life came upon him, he was vivacious and young in spirit, always cheerful and had a word of encouragement for the depressed and despondent. He was a man of inflexible integrity and in his public and private life was governed by principle rather than policy and hence his advice was sought and his judgment much relied upon. He was a just man; exacted nothing of others that he did not accord to them. The Golden Rule was the guide of his life. He was public spirited and liberal; prompt in meeting his liabilities and unstinted in a judicious expenditure of his means. At the beginning of last year he called to pay in advance, the subscription price of this paper, and remarked, "I never want my paper and my preaching on credit."
Better than all our venerable and reverend friend was a Christian. For more than half a century he was an exemplary member of the Methodist Church and during the greater part of his time filled the office of Steward. The honors of official station and the duties of public life did not cause him to reject nor neglect his place and duties in the church. In the prime of life when his intellect was strong, and his limbs active, he accepted the claim of the Christian religion and when old age and infirmities came on he enjoyed the comforts of the same, and being emancipated from the cares and affections of life was entered upon the full fruition of that "Hope which is anchor to the Soul."
Soon after moving to Somerville, Captain Rather was married to Miss Barbara Walker McClellan, sister of Gen. W.B. McClellan of Talladega . By this wife was born one child, Gen. John D. Rather, President of the present Alabama Senate. Subsequently he was again married to Miss Susan H. Roberts of Somerville, sister to Mrs. John Banks. The graves of both of these are in the cemetery at Somerville. When the last wife was buried a space between her grave and that of the former was left for his own sepulture, and there he was interred last Tuesday.
In May of last year (1880) he visited the sacred spot and looked upon the green turf that grew over the dust of forms so dear, and while the pearly tear coursed its way down his furrowed face, he said, "soon this old body will be sleeping between them."
We spoke of the probability of his living several years longer, but he said at last overcome by his feelings, "the next time I am here it will be for burial." True to his words it was so. The wheels of nature, worn by weary years, had ceased to move. "the old body" was dead, but the beautiful regions of the redeemed, the house of clay is basking in the sunlight presence of Him who says to the good earth, "Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you." May his kindred and friends overtake him up there.
(written by L.H. Grubbs, editor of the Decatur News, published January 1881)
Obituary courtesy of Mary Ann Lee, [email protected]
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