Georgia and Georgians - the Digital Library of Georgia

2876 GEORGIA AND GEORGIANSa large and prominent one in Southern Georgia, and several of its membershave been prominent in state and county politics.Francis Willis Dart received his preliminary education in the publicschools of Brunswick and at Glynn Academy, and entered upon his lawstudies at the University of Georgia, where he was graduated with the classof 1893 and the degree of Bachelor of Laws. It was his intention to build upa practice in his native city, but after a short period was impelled to leaveBrunswick because of an epidemic of yellow fever, and at that time, in January, 1894, came to Douglas, where he has since steadily advanced to a position of importance and leadership in his profession. Possessing the advantages of a collegiate education, and having a studious nature and unboundedenergy, it is not strange that he fought his Avay to the front soon after hisarrival at Douglas. His ability was demonstrated in several important casesably conducted by him, and from that time .forward his success was assured.Success, however, has not changed his careful and thorough preparation ofcases; his arguments are forceful, clear and convincing; his deductions followin logical sequence, and he never loses sight of an available point that willenhance the interests of his client. He is attorney for a number of the leading citizens and institutions and corporations of Douglas and that vicinity.He is a valued member of the State Bar Association.,In 1895 Judge Dart was appointed judge of the County Court of CoffeeCounty by Governor W. Y. Atkinson, but after one year that court wassuperseded by the establishment of a City Court for the county, and JudgeDart was appointed by Governor Atkinson to fill the new judicial seat. Thisoffice he held for six consecutive years and then voluntarily retired to thepractice; and later, in 1902, added to this distinguished service by filling outthe unexpired term of Hon. Jos. W. Bennet, as judge of the Superior courtsfor the old Brunswick Circuit. He has also served as alderman and thenas mayor of Douglas. He has always been interested in politics as a member of the democratic party, and has served as chairman of the Coffee CountyDemocratic Executive Committee and also as a member of the State ExecutiveCommittee of his party. Aside from his legal connections, he is affiliatedfraternally with the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Pellows,the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Delta Tau DeltaCollege fraternity. With his family, Judge Dart is identified with the Epis- 'copal Church.At Alamo, Georgia, on April 4, 1900, Judge Dart was united in marriagewith Miss Mattie Clements, a native of Montgomery County, Georgia, and adaughter of John Woo ten and Isabelle (McRae) Clements, and a granddaughter of Hon. John McRae, one of the most prominent and best belovedcitizens of Montgomery County. Two children, of this union are now living:Francis Clements, who was born April 21, 1902, on his father's birthday; andJohn McRae, born May 3, 1906.ADIAL S. FLORENCE. In offering in this publication a consistent tributeto the memory of the late Judge Adial Sherwood Florence it is believed thatthe desired ends may best be conserved by reproducing, with but minor paraphrase and slight elimination, the text of a most appreciative estimate thatwas prepared by another honored Georgian who had known him long and welland which was presented before and authorized as a tribute by the SupremeCourt of Georgia shortly after Judge Florence had been called from thestage of life's mortal endeavors. In perpetuating the tribute certain pertinent additions are made, but the context in general follows closely the original, though formal marks of quotation are not demanded.Adial Sherwood Florence was born at Jackson, Butts County, Georgia, onthe 16th day of May, 1838, and was a son of Rev. William A. and Harriet(Fellows) Florence, the latter of whom was a sister of Hon. John R. Fellows,