THOMAS ALLEN WORD.
Death of one of our Oldest and Best Respected Citizens.

The old landmarks of Bartow are rapidly disappearing!  Soon the pioneers of this county will be gathered to the house of their Father, and a new generation is now filling from time to time, the places of those who are passing away.  During the present year this community has lost Father Williams, Judge Stokely, Dr. Young and Major Lucas.  And now we are called upon to chronicle with a sad heart the death of Mr. Thomas A. Word, a man beloved and respected by this people among whom he has lived so long, and whom, as a public officer, he has served with the greatest fidelity—against whom no one could say aught as to his honesty, his integrity and faithfulness as a public officer.  All hearts feel sad at the loss of such a quiet and unobtrusive citizen of our county—a man with a heart ever actuated by generous emotions and the noblest impulses.  Those who knew him most intimately loved him best; and if he had enemies it is unknown and perhaps will ever be.

The deceased was born in Laurens district, S. C., January 4th, 1818.  His family removed to Georgia in 1828 and settled at or near Decatur where they resided six years.   The subject of this sketch came to this (then Cass) county, in March, 1834 and resided at old Cassville until the court house was removed to Cartersville.  He has never lived out of the county since he came to it, and, indeed, he rarely ever left his home or office, and always made it a rule to attend to his own business and never interfered with that of others.  Of a quiet and modest nature and a kindly disposition, it was not strange that he had a hold upon the affections of the people that but few enjoy.

For some years before January, 1852, while the present duties of ordinary were performed by the Inferior court, he was clerk of the court of ordinary.  He was also elected the first ordinary of the county, when that court was first established in all of the counties of the state, in 1852, which office he held one term of four years.  In January, 1860, he was elected clerk of the superior court, which office he held continuously from that time until the day of his death, which occurred at his residence in this place at 5:10 last Sunday morning.

The deceased was twice married and leaves a faithful wife and three children, the eldest a daughter residing in North Carolina, and two sons, to mourn their loss.  His remains were followed to Oak Hill cemetery at 5 p. m., Sunday by a large concourse of citizens, not withstanding the threatening aspect of the weather.  Though dead, the memory of our deceased friend will be long cherished by those who knew him and loved him.  May the turf rest lightly upon his bosom and perennial flowers cluster over his grave as a token of his love in life for his fellow man.

It would be a fitting tribute to his memory if our old citizens would call a public meeting for the purpose of paying a proper tribute of respect to his memory; and we hope it only needs the suggestion to bring such a meeting together. [Another obituary can be found on page 3 of the June 24, 1880 issue.  He was “the second son of Col. Robert Word.  While but a boy his father died.”  “Mr. Word was twice married; first to Miss Belle Carson, by whom he has one surviving child, Mrs. Julia Stone, of Statesville, N. C.  His second marriage was to Miss Kate Syler, who is the mother of our estimable young friends Marcellus F., and Thomas S. Word.”]