Death of Col. Akerman.

 
The Cartersville Free Press Newspaper
Cartersville, Georgia
December 23, 1880. Page 3:
 
Transcribed and submitted by: 
 

Death of Col. Akerman.

The Community Surprised and Shocked at its Suddenness.

The people of Cartersville were greatly surprised and shocked yesterday when it was learned the Col. Amos T. Akerman had died at 11 o’clock the previous night. It was but a few days since he was upon our streets, not longer ago, perhaps than a week ago. He took to his bed on Thursday and but few of our people knew of his illness until they heard of his death yesterday morning. He had rheumatic fever and the nervous exhaustion caused thereby resulted in his death. He was attended by Dr. Miller, of Atlanta, and Dr. Kirkpatrick. We have not the facts sufficient to give more than a synopsis of his life, and these we have hastily gathered. The agonizing grief of his family is so fresh and sacred that inquiries of them would be unpardonable intrusion, and hence the facts we learned from citizens intimate with the deceased. We give them as we understand them.

Col. Akerman was a native of New Hampshire, and was about sixty years old—perhaps older. After graduating with distinction in one of the colleges of his native state, and while yet a young man, he came south to seek his fortune. He first came to North Carolina, where he taught school for a while, perhaps a year or more. He then came to Georgia and taught at the Sand Hills, near Augusta; thence he went to Savannah and became the private tutor in the family of Judge Berrien, in the meanwhile reading law under the preceptorship of that distinguished gentleman who had a summer residence in Clarksville, Habersham county, where a great portion of the time of the deceased was spent.

The next we hear of Col. Akerman he became a resident of Habersham in the practice of his profession. From Habersham he went to Elberton to practice law, where he remained until the breaking out of the late war, when he went into the confederate service and became quartermaster in Gen. Toombs’ brigade. He remained in the confederate service until the close of the war.

Just before the close of the war Col. Akerman was married. When the struggle ended he returned to his home and resumed the practice of his profession. He was a delegate from Elbert county in the constitutional convention of 1868 and was its leading spirit.

When Gen. Grant became president, the deceased was appointed United States attorney for Georgia, and afterwards entered the presidential cabinet as United States Attorney General and held that portfolio for eighteen months when he resigned. In the meanwhile he had purchased a residence in this place, and moved his family to it—he, himself coming to his new home in 1872. In an afternoon stroll with a friend a short while ago he went into the cemetery and selected a lot, remarking to his friend that he intended to spend the remainder of his days on earth in this community. Since his residence here Col. Akerman has held a large and lucrative practice in the United States courts, where he was regarded as the equal of any in legal ability and forensic power.

Col. Akerman was a very quiet and unobtrusive citizen and a strict member of the Presbyterian church, of which he was a strong pillar in this community. Indeed his loss to it will be greatly felt. He was greatly respected by our citizens of all classes. He was a good neighbor and an exemplary citizen. He was just and prompt in all his dealings, and his death is greatly regretted by all. His bereaved family have the fullest sympathies of this whole community and The Free Press offers its humble condolence in all sincerity.

The funeral procession of the deceased will leave his late residence at 2:30 o’clock this (Thursday) afternoon for the Presbyterian church, and from thence will proceed to Oak Hill cemetery.

[This article is followed by a section entitled “Citizens Meeting”; which contained Resolutions of Respect for Honorable Amos T. Akerman by the Citizens of Bartow County. The members of The Bar of Bartow County also included Resolutions of Respect and resolved to attend his funeral and appointed 6 members to serve as pallbearers.]

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The Cartersville Free Press Newspaper
January 6, 1881

The Funeral of Honorable Amos T. Akerman

[A long article about the funeral of Akerman, which occurred on December 23, 1880.]

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The Cartersville Free Press Newspaper
January 14, 1881, Page 1

Hon. A. T. Akerman.

An Account of His Illness and a Sketch of His Life.

[From the Atlanta Republican of the 23rd ult.—a very long article.]

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The Cartersville Free Press Newspaper
April 6, 1882, Page 3

A beautiful monument has been placed over the last resting place of the lamented Amos T. Akerman, which for taste cannot be excelled.

 

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