Rev. B. B. Quillian

 
The Courant American Newspaper
Cartersville, Georgia
January 20, 1898 Page 1:
 
Transcribed and submitted by: 
 

Rev. B. B. Quillian.

A Pure, Useful and Honorable Life Ended. Paralysis Caused His Death.

Some Points About This Noble Old Man’s Life—Served His People in Many Ways.

A pang of sadness shot athwart many a breast when the tidings went from lip to lip that Rev. B. B. Quillian “Uncle Bethel,” as many knew him, was dead.

He has evinced a marvelous vitality up to three years ago, when he had a stroke of paralysis. He rallied from the attack and seemed to be almost himself again until recently he took sick again, and last Saturday night at 9 o’clock he breathed his last.

He was the depot agent and postmaster at Cass Station, and attended to his duties actively himself well up to the time he died.

Mr. Quillian would have been 84 years old if he had lived until May. He was born in Habersham county, but has lived in Gilmer, Pickens, Floyd and Bartow counties. He has been a local Methodist preacher for over sixty years and was a strong factor in the progress of the denomination in his section.

He was several times a member of the Georgia legislature, being both in the house and senate, and was the warm personal friend of Ben Hill, Alexander Stephens and Joseph E. Brown. He was for thirteen years superintendent of the Georgia Institution for the Deaf and Dumb at Cave Spring, and so great was the confidence of the higher state authorities in his integrity and honesty that no bond was ever required of him. This was never the case with any other superintendent.

For seventeen years and up to his death he has been depot agent, as he was also postmaster at Cass Station. Governor Brown voluntarily appointed him agent when he was president of the road, on the score of personal friendship as well as honesty and capability.

He was a relative of the numerous Quillians of the north Georgia Conference, and Rev. W. F. Quillian, his cousin, was called to officiate at his funeral Tuesday. He was married three times and his last wife survives him. He has eight children living. They are: Mrs. Slagle, of Ludville; Mrs. Wilson, of Texas; W. E. Quillian, of Atlanta; Mrs. D. K. Green, of Rome; C. M. Quillian, Miss Jennie Quillian, of Cass Station; A. S. Quillian, of Cartersville, and Capers G. Quillian, of Fort Worth, Tex.

Many of our older citizens remember the deceased in the pioneer days of north Georgia, and testify to his zeal and activity, earnestness and constancy in serving his church and his people, and the affairs of his church in the tier of counties lying northeastward from this all bear the stamp of his interest in and work for the cause of the Master.

He had many of the finest traits of character, never having sworn an oath, took a drink of whiskey or handled a dishonest dollar. He was a friend to the needy, a good counselor, a model of uprightness. He leaves as a heritage for those who survive him a name that is better far than would be riches or any of the material things of earth. Peace to his ashes.

February 10, 1898

Page 8:

Noble and Useful.

A Sketch of the late Rev. B. B. Quillian.

By One Who Knew Him.

Filled the Several Stations in Which He Figured With Great Credit—His Usefulness.

[This is a very long article and includes a pen and ink drawing of Rev. Quillian, see death notice in January 20, 1898.]

Excerpt:

“Bethel B. Quillian was born in Franklin county, on the 12th day of May, 1814. In his boyhood and youth he attended such schools as the county afforded at that time; these, however, could give him only a limited education, but possessing as he did, a naturally fine intellect, by study and close application he became a man of extensive information.

In the year 1833 Mr. Quillian moved with his father’s family to Gilmer county. This was about five years before the Indians were removed. Some dozen or more years ago, he wrote a history of the early settlement of Gilmer county, which was published in the Ellijay Courier. He gives the number of votes polled at the first election as fourteen, barely enough to fill the county offices. He was at the age of eighteen, appointed deputy-sheriff, and transacted all the business of the sheriff’s office during that term.

Mr. Quillian was first married in 1833, to Miss Sallie Ellington, daughter of Rev. William Ellington, of Ellijay, who died in 1864. His second marriage was in 1866 with Miss Vanzant, who lived less than two years after their marriage. He was married a third time in 1870 to Miss Lizzie Gaines, who still survives him. [Article continues with a sketch of his religious and political careers.]

 

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