Allen Fort

Judge Allen Fort

Allen Fort (July 14, 1849 - April 20, 1907) was a judge, railroad commission founder and member, and state legislator in Georgia.[1][2]

Biography

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 commissioner.[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

1. 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.
2. History, Georgia Department of Archives and (August 20, 1927). "Georgia's Official Register". The Department – via Google Books.
3. "In Death of Allen Fort Georgia lost noble son". The Atlanta Constitution. 5 May 1907. p. 5. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
4. "Death comes to Allen Fort". The Atlanta Constitution. 21 April 1907. p. 8. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
5. "Proceedings of the State Democratic Convention". Georgia Weekly Telegraph, Journal and Messenger. 2 July 1872. p. 2. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
6. "The Georgia Legislature (1872)". The Atlanta Constitution. 6 November 1872. p. 6. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
7. "Fort vs Lewis for congress". The Atlanta Journal. 9 March 1896. p. 7. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
8. "Obituary for Hollis Fort Sr. at Americus". The Macon Telegraph. 28 June 1956. p. 3. Retrieved 29 March 2024.