Thomas Montague Gunter

GUNTER, T.M. – Col. T.M. Gunter died early this morning at his home at Fayetteville after an illness of several weeks. The funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon at two o’clock. It will be under the auspices of the Masonic order of which the deceased had been a life long member. Colonel Gunter represented the old Fifth district, of which Benton County was a part, from 1873 until 1883, or five terms. As a member of the committee on Indian affairs and chairman of that on public lands, he was one of the most active Arkansas members in the House. When his fifth term expired he retired from politics and gave his attention to law and his business interests, among which was the building of the first roller mill at Siloam Springs. Col. Gunter was 77 years old, having been born September 28, 1826 in Warren County, Tennessee. He came to Arkansas in 1852, located at Fayetteville, studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1854. He was twice married, first to Marcella Jackson of Louisiana, Mo. and the second time to Jennie Bragg of Charleston, Va. He leaves two sons and one daughter. During the Civil War he fought principally in this section and was at Pea Ridge and Prairie Grove. He was a lieutenant-colonel when the war closed. [Rogers Democrat 1/13/1904]
Death of Col. T.M. Gunter – T.M. Gunter passed away at his home in this city at ten minutes past five o’clock yesterday afternoon. He was born in Warren, Tennessee on September 7th, 1826 and came to Fayetteville in 1853, and entered the office of Gen. H.F. Thomason, as a law student. He was admitted to the bar in 1854. He served ten years in the United States Congress and was prosecuting attorney for this judicial district when it included ten counties. He was married in Louisiana, Missouri to Miss Marcella Jackson in 1854, who died after two years. He subsequently married Miss Jennie Bragg, of Charleston, Virginia, a relative of General Bragg of the Confederate States Army. She entered into rest eternal about two years ago. He is survived by three children; Julius C., of Trinidad, Colorado; Walker T., a lawyer of Salt Lake City, Utah and Gertrude, Mrs. Robert M. Forbes of Evanston, Illinois. On Christmas day, Col. Gunter was taken suddenly and severely ill and from the beginning of his illness until the end he was conscious only at brief intervals. His children hastened from their distant homes upon the first information of his illness and with physicians, nurses and friends did all that human power could to alleviate his sufferings. But the time had come and the grim monster has taken him from his friends and loved ones. The funeral will take place tomorrow, Thursday, at 2:00 o’clock from St. Paul’s Church. The interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery.
For forty years Col. T.M. Gunter has been one of the foremost citizens of Northwest Arkansas. As a lawyer he was a pronounced success. As a public speaker, he was pleasing, forceful and convincing. As a prosecuting attorney, he was fearless, but fair and just. As a Confederate soldier, he was like a plumed Knight who never commanded his men to go where he did not lead. As a legislator and statesman, he was ever true to the interests of his constituents and an able defender of their cause in the halls of the National Congress. As a private citizen, he was a friend to the poor, a liberal contributor to every movement for the community’s good, a wise counselor, true fried and obliging neighbor. He was a true, noble, manly man. He enjoyed life and will be mourned by friends in every part of the State and nation. He had no enemies, may the green sod rest lightly over his grave. [Fayetteville Democrat 1/14/1904]
Col. Gunter’s Funeral – The funeral services were held from St. Paul’s Church at 2 o’clock on Thursday afternoon and was attended by one of the largest congregations ever assembled in the city. The Benton County Bar attended in a body and a large number of friends and masons from surrounding towns were there. The honorary pallbearers were Judge J.D. Walker, Col. J.L. Cravens, Dr. Jno. L. Buchanan, Maj. B.R. Davidson, Judge T.H. Humphreys, Col. A.S. Vandaventer and Hon. James A. Rice. The active pall bearers were Capt. E.B. Harrison, Hon. E.B. Wall, Judge J.N. Tillman, Prof. B.J. Dunn, Judge Frank Hill, Dr. Otey Miller, Mr. W.P. McNair and Mr. J.W. Massengill.
The floral offerings were profuse and magnificent. After the burial service was read by Rev. J.B. Whaling, Rector of St. Paul’s Church, Prof. A.H. Purdue, as Worshipful Master, conducted a Masonic service in the church. The Masons and lawyers marched to the cemetery, a guard of honor following the hearse. Mr. Whaling concluded the services at the grave as provided by the church and Rev. N.M. Ragland offered a prayer. The funeral was then given over to the Masons, and the Worshipful Master conducted a beautiful and impressive service. [Fayetteville Democrat 1/21/1904]
Resolutions of Respect – Again the solemn notes have sounded, and our Lodge is called to record and mourn the death of an old and honored member. On January 12th, 1904, Bro. Thos. M. Gunter was summoned for ours to that Grand Lodge over which presides the Supreme Architect and where peace and harmony perpetually prevail.
Be it Resolved: That Washington Lodge No. 1, A.F.& A.M., deeply deplores the loss of our Brother, whose life as a public man, friend and neighbor was on a plane above the petty contentions that so often mar and dwarf men’s lives. That we recognize and recommend for emulation, his manly, generous and uniformly courteous bearing toward his fellow men and we wish the records to show that during the many years of membership with us no harsh word or unkind act of his can be recalled to detract from the high esteem to which our deceased brother was justly entitled.
Further: We realize that there is no greater lesson than Friendship, and from it springs the golden fruit of gratitude, and thus do we acknowledge the value of his Masonic example, and sympathize with his sorrowing family in their sad bereavement.
Further: That a copy of these Resolutions be furnished the family of the deceased, and the press; also that they be spread upon our minutes, and that the usual evidences of mourning be observed by the Lodge. (Signed) W.F. Dowell, J.F. Mayes and D.B. Jobe, Committee. [ Fayetteville Democrat 1/21/1904]
At the meeting of the Pat Cleburne Camp in Squire Cooper’s office Saturday, committee’s were appointed to draft suitable resolutions upon the deaths of Gen. Gordon and Col. Gunter. Said committee to report at a mass meeting to be held in the court house at 2 P.M. Saturday, January 30. Col. Vandaventer, J.T. Eason and White Walker and Squire Cherry will draft the resolutions. Invitation is given to the Southern Memorial Association, Daughters of the Confederacy and Sons of Veterans to be present and to participate in the meeting. [Fayetteville Democrat 1/21/1904]
Thomas Montague Gunter was born in 1824. He graduated valedictorian of his class at Irwin College, taught school in Alabama for a year, and came to Northwest Arkansas in 1852. He settled at Fayetteville in 1853 and studied law under his cousin, Hugh F. Thomason. In 1854 he was married to Miss Marcella Jackson at Louisiana, Missouri. She was a sister of Columbus and Cortes Jackson, early settlers in Fayetteville, and a first cousin of Catherine (Jackson) Duke, who became the grandmother of Mrs. John C. Futrall. Marcella died in 1858, a few months after the birth of their son, Julius Caldeen Gunter. He then married Miss Jennie Bragg and they had two children, Walker and Gertrude Gunter. Thomas Montague Gunter served as a delegate to the Arkansas Convention of 1861, was a Colonel of Gunter’s Battalion of Cavalry during the Civil War, and was U.S. Congressman from this district from 1873 to 1883. After 1883 he practiced law in Fayetteville and supervised his many other interests. It was he who in 1880 built the Hico Roller Mills, whic