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Ferdinand Desoto Hartsell
Birth 	31 Dec 1858
Death 	9 Sep 1912 (aged 53)
Burial 	
Henry Cemetery
Kodak, Sevier County, Tennessee, USA
Memorial ID 	111566533 · View Source

Bro F. D. Hartsell the subject of this sketch was born about A.D. 1858. He
was the son of Joshua and Sintha Hartsell each of them have been dead a
number of years. He had 4 brothers 3 of whom are still living to wit Balis
Esau and Jacob. one deceased Bro to wit J K Hartsell he had 3 sisters 2 of
them survived him to wit Mrs Maranda Dennis, of Newport Ten and Mrs Hannah
Justice of Sevierville Tenn. one deceast sister to wit Mrs Bettie Hicks. Wife
of the late James Hicks deceast he profest faith in Christ in his early youth.

He joined the New Salem Baptist Church by esperance and Baptism in Jan 1872
and lived that devout, honerable Christian life that is so becoming a child of
God until the day of his death. Bro Hartsell in his early manhood was united
in matrimony with Miss Matilda Henry with whom he spent a number of peaceful
and happy years until the lord called that dear companion away from him. then,
sad, companionless he faught the battle of life for about eleven years.

Bro Hartsell was united in matrimony with Miss Ollie Peerman as Second
wife. With her he spent some Several years they was always happy and dueted
to the day that Jehova took her to the Sweet by and by.

In speaking of the death of the human family the Lord Says to us of dust
thou art, and unto dust thou shalt return. So one by one we continue to
ancer the Summons to cross over the Jourdan of death.  This death is also
called a Sleep to the rightious it is often spoken of as being ASleep in
Jesus. Our beloved Brother F. D. Hartsell who was one of our most beloved
members of the New Salem Baptist church in Jones Cove has fell asleep and
is with us no more. Bro Hartsell retired to his bed as usual on the night
of Sept the 9th in the year of our Lord 1912. on the following morning Sept
the 10th the members of the good family with whom he resided arose from there
nights repose. Preparitory to taking up the business of the day Bro Hartsell
was called for to be consulted on a business matter receiving no answer
and supposing him to be sleeping his room was entered and Bro Hartsell was
found lying peacefully asleep in Jesus. His spirit had gone out and up to
God who gave it. So So quietly was the Divine Summons of almighty God and
the answer of Bro Ferd that no one but them new of it. The young man who
first intered his room and beholding him lying with closed eyes and mouth,
appearing so natural. Still supposing him to be asleep agane spoke to him
reciving no answer .... his hand on Bro Hartsell Shoulder to arouse him it
was discovered that it was only Bro Ferd lifeless form lying in the cold
icy arms of death.

The funeral Service was conducted in the New Salem Church house by Elder
Wm Weaver, paster.

His remains was then turned over to IOOF of which he was an honored
member, who placed the casket in place and transported it to the Henry
Cemetary. Followed by a large concourse of relatives and Simpathying friend
after the ritual Exercises of the IOOF was carried out his body was laid
to rest along with that of his two companions his whole life has been a
moral and peaceful one. He always Stood for the right as he saw it. He was
temperate in all his acts he had a joval friendly and loveable disposition
he will be remembered by many of the older citizens of Sevier and Cocke
Countys Wha had known him for half a century as the boy and man who never
had a charge of any kind preferred against him. he was strictly honest in
all his dealings kind hearted and charitable ever ready to help neady. And
suffering he was an individual public spirited high toned Christian gentleman
we have no doubt but that his spirit has gone home to our Blessed redeemer
and is now in perfic peace. in that happified world basking in the bright
Sunlight of the Glory of God. therefore be it resolved be the New Salem
Church 1. that we bow to the will of our divine Commander. 2. that in the
death of Bro Hartsell the church has lost one of its strong props and noble
Christian charactors that goes for to make the church a power for good.

3. that the Sunday School has lost one of its most faithful members. Also
its ... Superintendant who was striving hard to ... its condition

4. that the community has lost one of its most confidenad and trustworthy
citizens who could be relied upon any where and any time.

5. that business world has lost an old time merchant and produce dealer who
could meet either the producer or consumer with that open face and frank
manner that told of that pure and honest heart beneath his bosom.

6. that a copy of this be spread up on the church docket also a copy be given
to each of Bro's and sisters who may request it. Done by order of the Church.

A. W. Proffitt
J. B. Williams
S. M. Rolen

Ferd was very much overweight and had a club foot. As such, he did not show
much promise in the only useful profession - farming. Joshua and Cynthia
therefore decided that as an alternative, he should get an education. This he
did, and he later became a schoolteacher in Jones Cove of Sevier County. In
his later years, Ferd ran a general store on the Reuben McIntosh place
in Jones Cove. Ferd had no children with either wife. However, before
his first marriage, he had an encounter with a lady friend, Mary Howard,
resulting in the birth of Ferd's daughter:

Rhoda Jane HOWARD
b. Mar 11, 1888 - Sevier Co, Tn
m. Rev James Anderson THOMAS - Apr 13, 1912, Sevier Co,
b. Sep 20, 1834 - Sevier Co, Tn
d. Dec 7, 1913 - Bethel Cem, Sevier Co, Tn

m. James Meek WEBB - Jun 26, 1914, Sevier Co, Tn
b. Apr 5, 1879 - Sevier Co, Tn
d. Jul 9, 1947 - Henry Cem, Sevier Co, Tn
d. Dec 12, 1921 - Henry Cem, Sevier Co, Tn

While still a young girl, Rhoda went to live with Rev and Mrs Anderson. They
were an old, childless couple whom Rhoda cared for, and they loved her
like a daughter. Mary Margaret C. Thomas (Mar 27, 1836 - Jun 18, 1911) was
the daughter of the late Wilson L. Duggan, a very successful politician
who had vast landholdings. Margaret and her brother Wilson L. Duggan, an
attorney, had inherited this land. On her deathbed, Mrs Thomas, realizing the
circumstances of Rhoda's birth and how hard her life had been (and would be),
forced Preacher Thomas to promise that he would marry Rhoda. He did. And
on his death, Rhoda was supposed to inherit vast landholdings on the east
fork of the Little Pigeon River. But, it didn't work out exactly according
to plan. Mrs Thomas' only surviving relative, the attorney Wilson L. Duggan,
managed to beat Rhoda out of most of her inheritance. Upon Margaret's death,
Wilson delayed filing probate on her will until after Anderson Thomas'
death. Margaret's property was never deeded over to Anderson, so it was never
his to bequeath to Rhoda. Rhoda did manage to salvage enough from the marriage
that she and Meek could start a general store in the Howard's View Community.

Family Members
Parents

    Joshua Hartsell
    1812–1875

    Cynthia Bayless Hartsell
    1814–1892

Spouses

    Lydia Matilda Henry Hartsell
    1861–1895

    Ollie Peerman Hartsell
    1871–1911

Siblings

    Elizabeth Hartsell Hicks
    1838–1909

    Esau Hartsell
    1848–1918

    Hannah Hartsell Justus
    1848–1926

    Joseph K Hartsell
    1853–1896

END