Dr. Alexander Hamilton Culpepper

Homerville was shocked to learn of the sudden death Tuesday night at his home here, of Dr.A.H.Culpepper. Attacked with heart trouble, suddenly he passed out in a minute or two without getting to say anything to his wife who rushed to his side when she heard him gasping. He had been to Valdosta that day and had returned on the afternoon train. He complained of feeling fatigued, but no idea was entertained that is was to precede his death. He and his wife retired and about ten thirty. She was awakened by his loud gasping for breath. Drs. Huey and Bruce were called but death had already intervened.

The funeral was held this morning at the Baptist church, services being conductd by his former pastor, Rev. R.W. Bugg of Gainesville, Fla. All the children except Keff Culpepper and Robert Culpepper of Hot Springs, Ark. were present. The beloved former pastor paid a warm tribute to the memory of the deceased. Touching tributes were paid to his life and services by several citizens among them Mr. A J. Gibbs, Dr.H.G. Huey, School Supt. J.O. Rodgers, Mr. Geo. M. Dame, Editor Folks Huxford, and Mr. W.H. Hunter. After the services at the church the remains were carried to the town cemetery of which he was a trustee,and there the county convicts had been assembled and were allowed to view the remains for the last time. The convicts had been the object of his professional care for over fifteen years, and many of them wanted to attend the funeral. The school children also attended numbering about 250. The church was crowded many being unable to get in. The board of deacons of the Baptist church, of which Dr. Culpepper has been chairman for the past four years, were honorary pallbearers. The active pallbearers were: Messers A.J. Gibbs, W.V. Musgrove, J.T. Dame, Geo. M. Dame, A.A.Hall, A.N. Carswell, J.O. Rodgers, and Dr. H.G. Huey. The Masonic funeral ceremony was conducted at the grave.

Dr. Culpepper had lived in Homerville since 1898 and was one of the town and county's leading men. His stand in civic matters and town and county affairs generally, called him into prominence as a leading citizen. Possessed of a genial, hositable and sympathetic nature he had a winning personality. As a physician he enjoyed the confidence and respect of his fellow-practictioners.

Dr. Culpepper was born in Warren county, April 1, 1852, and received a very thorough education in the old Warrenton Academy. He studied medicine and after receiving his degree from the Atlantic Medical College in 1892 he began the practice of medicine in Atlantic and practiced there until he came to Homerville.

He made a couple of unsuccessful races fot the legislature before being elected in 1912. Serving through the session of 1913-14 he was defeated in 1914 by Judge R.G. Dickerson. In 1916 he was again elected defeating the late David J. Smith. In 1918 and 1920 and 1924 he was again an unsuccessful candidate. The doctor familiarly knew many of the leading men of Georgia and enjoyed a wide acquaintance among them. In 1904 he was elected Mayor of Homerville but failing to get through certain sanitary measures he advocated then, he resigned and did not seek the office again. However, in 1923 he was elected mayor and re-elected in 1924. Last January he was again elected.

Dr.Culpepper took a deep interest in the town's affairs and in recent years the two things that seemed to interest him most was the town affairs and the church affairs. On locating here in 1898 he was appointed local surgeon for the A.C.L. and held that until his death. In 1909 on the organization of the county chain-gang he was appointed county physician and from then until his death he looked after the health of the convicts and during this time only two died. The doctor united with the Homerville Baptist church in 1904 and in 1909 was ordained a deacon. Three years ago the board of deacons which numbered nine, elected him their chairman and as such he has had a big part in the government of the church. For eight or ten years, he was the faithful superintendent of the Sunday school. Since 1922, he has been the assistant superintendent.

In 1874 Dr. Culpepper was married to Miss Jennie Riviere and to them were born four children: Keff S. of Atlanta, Robert of Hot Springs, Ark., Mrs. Jolly and Miss Irma Culpepper of Clarkston. After her death he married in 1886 Miss Fannie Hardage of Warrenton, and to them were born five sons: W.T. and W.W. of Atlanta, W.G. of St. Louis, Mo., J.E. of Perry, Florida and Otis L. of New Smynia, Fla. The second wife died in 1917 and on March 17, 1918 he was married to Miss Lorena Findley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S.D. Findley of Homerville. She survives him together with all his children.

Indeed, a good man is gone!

From the Masonic Lodge book  in Homerville,Ga.