A Distinguished Georgian - John Porter Fort

Personal B: 8/16/1841 Milledgeville Ga D: 2/12/1917 -Tampa M: 10/27/1881 Talullah Hay Ellis of Atlanta Parents Dr. Tomlinson Fort (1787-1859) Martha Low Fannin (1804-1883)

Children Susan Redfearn(1882-1970) Kate Codington (1883-1975) Martha Anderson (1885-1968) John Porter, Jr.(1888-1959) Tomlinson (1886-1970) William Ellis (1891-1978)

John P. Fort is the primary historical figure associated with Mountain Hall. His significant contributions to the State are worth remembering and passing on to future generations by saving his historic summer residence.

He is sometimes referred to as Colonel, a customary title for lawyers in the 1800's, and later in life as Doctor, in regard for his honorary Doctor of Science degree from the University of Georgia. He was also referred to as Lt. and Capt. in connection with his Confederate service.

He and other important Georgians will be part of a special history exhibit in Atlanta during the 1996 Olympics. Many of the newspaper tributes to him are featured at this web site.

Academics

---

John Fort's early education was received at home from his mother and elder sisters. At age sixteen he entered Oglethorpe College, a Presbyterian School, where notable Georgian Samuel Talmadge served as President. The college was located in Midway about two miles from Milledgeville, the antebellum capital of Georgia.

John was a classmate of Sidney Clopton Lanier, the famous Georgia poet. In later years, renewing their college friendship, John traveled with Sidney to Brunswick, Ga. (- the inspiration for the celebrated poem, The Marshes of Glynn.)

Although he states in his Personal Reminiscences that he was not a particularly good student, he served as president of the Phi Delta fraternity during his senior year. Following graduation he began the study of law in the office of Mr. William McKinley in Milledgeville. His studies were, however, interrupted with the outbreak of The Civil War.

Military Service

---

In May 1861, at age nineteen, John joined the "Baldwin Volunteers" as a private soldier. In June 1861 he became attached to 9th Georgia regiment, the first regiment in Georgia to enlist for the duration of the Civil War. As an enlisted man he attained the rank of sergeant and by the end of the war was a commissioned Lieutenant.

Accomplishments

---

Following the war John completed his legal apprenticeship and was admitted to the Georgia Bar in 1867.

In 1876, he authored the bill which formed the Department of Agriculture for Georgia. He handed to the Speaker of the House - Mr. Bacon; the bill was introduced by Mr. Butt of Marion County, and passed withspout amendment. Several neighboring states quickly passed similar bills using Georgia's as a model.

John drilled the first successful artesian well in Georgia. Located on a large plantation in west Dougherty County, known then as "Hickory Level", the well on August 4, 1881, at a depth of 547 feet produced a flow rate of 7 gallons per minute. No charge was ever made to anyone for the water and for many years the well served a large area as a source of good water.

Under the auspices of "The Ladies Memorial Association", John funded and oversaw the construction of the Confederate Memorial in Macon. If you are ever in Macon, check out the monument. Compare the face with John's photo. According to one newspaper account, he served as the model for the statue.

He is credited by the State as the Father of Commercial Fruit Growing Industry of North Georgia, particularly apples and peaches. He won first place at the National Apple Show held in 1909 Spokane, Washington.

Much of his life is chronicled in John Porter Fort - Personal Reminiscences . On page 37 there is this tribute paid him shortly after his death in honor of his distinguished Confederate service:

"Note - At Cornelia, Georgia, on March 25, 1917, a little group of patriotic women met to organize a Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and when asked to select a name for the Chapter, the name of John P. Fort was suggested and unamimously adopted, the ladies being anxious to show, in some measure, their appreciation of his splendid war record and of his loyal and unselfish devotion to this section of the State since the War.
Mrs. R.L. Deck
President, John P. Fort Chapter, U.D.C."

---