Elberton Star (GA)

April 25, 1911

Page 1

DR. JOHN T. WILLIS ANSWERS SUMMONS

Won Honors in Peace and War—Only One of Six Boys Left

Dr. John T. Willis, a former citizen of Elbert county, son of Thomas F. and Mildred T. Willis, has gone to the great beyond. Dr. Willis left Elbert county in 1856, went to Arkansas and located in Lincoln county near Star City, and practiced medicine until the Civil War. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate army, and filled the office of first lieutenant through the war; he was wounded twice during the war, at the battle of Shiloh, and also at the battle of Corinth.

He had five brothers who responded to their country’s call, four of which left Elbert county on June the 15^th, 1861. Their names are W. J. Willis, James A. Willis, T. B. F. Willis, Richard Madison Willis. Robert M. Willis, being under age, went later on.

Capt. W. J. Willis died in the hospital at Atlanta, Ga., from wounds received at the battle of Chickamauga. James A. Willis died of typhoid fever at Richmond, Va. Robert M. Willis died of brain fever at Culpepper [sic] Va. Richard Madison Willis lost his right leg at North Anna, Va. James A. Willis and Robert M. Willis, now sleep beneath the silent sod on Virginia soil. The remains of Capt. W. J. Willis were brought back to Elberton, and interred at the old Baptist church.

Out of the six Willis boys that responded to their country’s call, only three lived to return to their homes, viz. Dr. John T. Willis, R. M. Willis and T. B. F. Willis, and T. B. F. Willis is the only surviving member of his father’s family.

At the close of the war Dr. John T. Willis returned to Lincoln county, Ark., and resumed his practice of medicine and continued to practice until a few years before his death.

He represented Lincoln county several terms in the Legislature. He only liked two weeks of being eighty-six years of age at his death. He was buried at the cemetery near his home. About the last letter he wrote to me, he stated that he went out and viewed the spot he selected for his last resting place, at the cemetery; after returning he penned me these lines:

“With the grave yard just ahead, almost in sight, I am tottering on its brink, but I feel reconciled to God’s will. Of course the dread of death is implanted in every human breast. Christ, himself dreaded the sting of death, but he did not fear its consequences. But I trust in God. I know He has been with me in the past, He is with me now, I hope and believe in His mercy to the end.”

Farewell, dear brother, thou are gone. No more will I ever hear thy gentle voice, or behold thy loving face. Peace to thy ashes. At rest be thy soul.

T. B. F Willis

Flatwoods, April 19^th, 1911

[Transcribed by Sharon Strout]