Allen Fort (July 14, 1849 - April 20, 1907) was a judge, railroad commission founder and member, and state legislator in Georgia.[1][2]
Biography[edit]
Fort was born near Lumpkin, Georgia July 14, 1849.[2][3] He received a first class honors degree from the University of Georgia in 1867.[4] While at the university he was the co-founder of the local chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.[3] After he obtained his degree he went to Americus and was admitted to the bar.[3]
He was a delegate to the State Democratic Convention in June 1872 representing Sumter County.[5] Later the same year he was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives to represent Sumter County as a Democrat.[6] He was re-elected to the legislature several times[3] including to the Georgia Senate.[4]
Fort was made judge of the southwestern circuit in 1882 and was the youngest member of the bench.[3] He made a run for congress in 1896 to fill the vacated seat of Charles R. Crisp[7] but was defeated by Elijah B. Lewis.[4] He served as circuit judge until 1991 when he left to become a railroad commossioner.[3]
He had eight children,[1] including Hollis Fort,[2] who was also a Sumter County lawyer and state legislator.[8]
Fort died April 20, 1907 from pneumonia at his home in Americus. He was survived by his wife and six children.[4] He was buried in Oak Grove cemetery.[4]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Hale, Will Thomas; Merritt, Dixon L. (August 20, 1913). "A History of Tennessee and Tennesseans: The Leaders and Representative Men in Commerce, Industry and Modern Activities". Lewis publishing Company – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c History, Georgia Department of Archives and (August 20, 1927). "Georgia's Official Register". The Department – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c d e f "In Death of Allen Fort Georgia lost noble son". The Atlanta Constitution. 5 May 1907. p. 5. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "Death comes to Allen Fort". The Atlanta Constitution. 21 April 1907. p. 8. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ "Proceedings of the State Democratic Convention". Georgia Weekly Telegraph, Journal and Messenger. 2 July 1872. p. 2. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
- ^ "The Georgia Legislature (1872)". The Atlanta Constitution. 6 November 1872. p. 6. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
- ^ "Fort vs Lewis for congress". The Atlanta Journal. 9 March 1896. p. 7. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ "Obituary for Hollis Fort Sr. at Americus". The Macon Telegraph. 28 June 1956. p. 3. Retrieved 29 March 2024.