In Memoriam

Mrs. Martha Beall Candler died in Cartersville, Ga., on July 3d, 1897—aged 77.

My sweet little mother left my home on July 3d, 1897, for a home in the skies.

If “Home is where the heart is,” then I have no longer a home, for within the space of a half year, the death angel has robbed me of two precious loved ones—husband and mother; leaving me desolate, with no one to whisper words of comfort and my heart not ready to say, “Thy will be done.”

When on the 19th of November 1896, my noble, precious husband went away, in my despair, I called, as in days gone by, when childish troubles assailed me; for “mother,” and imploringly I begged for her presence. She was told that her age and feebleness would not allow her to make the journey or to endure the excitement of the occasion—she replied: “My child needs me. I will go.”

[Article continues, concludes with poem, written by Florence J. Harris.]

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The Courant American Newspaper
July 8, 1897 Page 1:

Mrs. Candler Dies.

Noble Mother of Distinguished People Passes Away.

Among Brainiest in Georgia

Were Her Sons and Daughters—Funeral at Villa Rica—sketch of the Deceased.

At the ripe age of 77, Mrs. Martha B. Candler died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. J. W. Harris, Sr., at 5 o’clock last Saturday morning. Mrs. Candler has been ill for some time at her daughter’s home and has had every attention and care that loving hands could bestow.

The Atlanta Journal of Saturday has this to say of Mrs. Candler’s death:

“The death of Mrs. Candler removes the mother of one of the most distinguished families in the state, and a noble woman whose indirect influence for good in Georgia has been widespread. She leaves a large circle of friends to mourn her loss.

“Mrs. Candler was Miss Martha Beall before her marriage, and a descendant on her mother’s side of the Hooper family. She was the daughter of Noble B. Beall, of Cherokee county, and niece of General William Beall, who, for a long time was prominent in the history of western Georgia.

“In 1833 she was married to the Hon. Samuel Charles Candler, who took an important part in the development of the state. He represented Cherokee county in the legislature in 1835, and afterward, for several terms, Carroll county. He was also a member of the state senate for two terms. Samuel Candler was prominent in Masonic circles and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, south. He died on November 13, 1873.

Mother of Distinguished Men.

“There were eleven children as the result of this union, the eldest of whom is the Hon. Milton A. Candler, who was born January 11, 1837. He is a prominent lawyer at the Atlanta bar, and makes his home in Decatur. He has represented his district in two constitutional conventions, the state senate, and the forty-fifth and forty-sixth congresses.

“Another one is Ezekiel S. Candler, a lawyer and Baptist minister of Iuka, Mississippi. The eldest daughter is Julia Florence, the widow of Judge J. Watt Harris, of Cartersville. Noble Daniel Candler, the next son, has died since the death of his father.

“The other children are: Mrs. Sarah J. Willard, of Decatur; William Beall Candler, of Carrollton; Mrs. Elizabeth F. Dobbs, of Villa Rica; Asa Griggs Candler, of Atlanta; Samuel Charles Candler, of Carrollton; Rev. Warren A. Candler, of Oxford, Ga., and Judge John S. Candler, of Atlanta.

“Messrs. W. B. Candler and S. C. Candler are merchants. Dr. Asa G. Candler is a well known druggist and capitalist.

In Pulpit and On Bench.

Rev. Warren Akin Candler, D. D., is the president of Emory College, of which his cousin, Rev. Ignatius A. Few, L. L. D., was the first president. He was a doctor of divinity at less than thirty years of age, and is probably the youngest man in the service of the Methodist Episcopal church south, who has ever been prominently mentioned in connection with the highest office in the gift of that denomination—that of bishop.

“The youngest son, Judge John Slaughter Candler, is the presiding officer of Stone Mountain circuit, and the senior colonel of the state troops. He was a lieutenant colonel in 1882, having been appointed on the staff of Governor A. H. Stephens. He was made judge advocate general by Governor McDaniel, resigning in 1855 to accept the command of the Fifth Georgia regiment. He was solicitor general before his appointment as judge of the superior court.

“As the mother of these distinguished men and women, as well as for the many noble attributes that she possessed, Mrs. Candler’s influence will be felt in this state for many years.”

According to Monday’s Journal, the funeral services of Mrs. Martha B. Candler were conducted at Edgewood Methodist church yesterday afternoon, by the pastor, Rev. H. J. Ellis, in a solemn and impressive manner.

In addition to the large number of relatives there were many friends who assembled to do honor to the memory of Mrs. Candler. The remains were taken to Villa Rica for interment.