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REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON MEMORIALS.

To the President of the Georgia Bar Association:

The Committee on Memorials begs leave to report that since the last annual meeting of this Association, six members thereof have departed this life, to-wit: J. L. Sweat, of Waycross; Spencer Roane Atkinson, of Atlanta; E. S. Elliott, of Savannah; L. B. Norton, of Lithonia, and Dupont Guerry and Richard Curd of Macon.

Memorials of these deceased members have been prepared and filed with the Secretary, as required by the By-Laws.

Respectfully submitted,

A. W. COZART, Chairman.

MEMORIAL OF J. L. SWEAT

BY A. W. COZART, OF COLUMBUS.

Judge Joel L. Sweat was born in Ware County, Georgia, September 21, 1847, and died at his home in Waycross, Ware County, January 24, 1921.

He was admitted to the bar at the April Term, 1869, of Clinch Superior Court. He practiced law at Homerville, Georgia, for nearly thirty years and during the last years of his life, he practiced at Waycross.

As a Confederate soldier, his particular devotion to duty, high patriotism and valor were what was to have been expected of one Judge Sweat's noble Revolutionary ancestry.

He was a brave soldier, an astute lawyer, a safe counselor, a just judge, a patriotic citizen, a wise legislator, and a Christian gentleman.

He was one of the vital forces of South Georgia for more than a half century and it could be said of him that he practiced his profession through three generations.

A few years ago "A History of Clinch County, Georgia" was published, and in it appeared a concise sketch of Judge Sweat's life, which we take the liberty of quoting as a part of this memorial:

"JOEL SWEAT was born in Ware County, September 21, 1847, the son of Samuel and Maria Sweat, and a grandson of Nathaniel Sweat, a soldier of the Revolutionary War. He was raised in Pierce county, and completed his education at the old Blackshear Academy. He enlisted in the Confederate cavalry service in 1862, and for three years was a brave soldier. In 1865 he located at Homerville, where he was in 1867 elected justice of the peace. Under David O'Quin he served as deputy clerk of the Superior Court. He also engaged in the mercantile business, and was admitted to the bar in Homerville in 1869. Under the

administration of Governor James M. Smith, he was a clerk in the executive department for a short while, and during the sessions of the Legislature of 1875-1876, he was chief clerk of the House of Representatives. Returning to Homerville, he resumed the practice of law, which very soon grew to be very lucrative and of wide extent. In 1880 Colonel Sweat was elected representative from Clinch County, defeating A. B. Findley and Sherod Tomlinson. Two years later he was re-elected defeating David J. Sirmans. In 1884 he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention at Chicago and at St. Louis in 1888. In 1887 he removed to Waycross where he has since resided engaging in the active practice of law. In 1892 Judge S. R. Atkinson resigned as Judge of the Superior Courts of the Brunswick Circuit and Colonel Sweat was appointed by Governor Northen to fill the vacancy. When the Legislature met he was elected Judge for the unexpired term, and in 1895 was elected for the full term. He very ably filled this position until January, 1899, when he retired and resumed the practice of law. During the Legislature of 1913-14 he was State Senator from the Fifth District.

Judge Sweat was married to Miss Maggie M. Hitch, daughter of Sylvanus Hitch of Homerville, January 10, 1869, and by her had three children. Colonel Sweat was for several years Superintendent of the Methodist Sunday School at Homerville, and for seven years a recording steward of the church. His membership is now with the First Methodist Church of Waycross.'

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