Prominent Citizen Dies
Mr. John A. Oliver, sick only a few hours, drops dead in his place of business.
Almost without warning, in almost his usual health, with no one dreaming of such a shock, Mr. John A. Oliver, prominent merchant and business man of Alpharetta, dropped dead in his store last Tuesday shortly after the noon hour. Walking from the rear of his store room towards the front, he fell to the floor and never spoke again. His single daughter, Miss Bert, who has been helping him in the store, was with him when death struck him, and others, passing by, ran in to offer assistance, but could do nothing, as it was evident that death had conquered him. A physician examined him and pronounced him dead from an acute heart attack of heart failure.
Mr. Oliver had not been a well man for many years, and his family and intimate friends knew that he expected death to come in just such a way. On the day he died he was sick for several hours, complaining of a pain in the chest. He took a tablet and walked across to the hotel for a drink of water, and after he drank it he complained that it gave him intense pain in his stomach. Before he died he called his daughter’s attention to a free, cold perspiration which stood out on his body.
There has never been a more severe shock to a family and friends than this sudden death caused. No one was thinking about John Oliver’s death.
From the store the body was removed to the family residence..... An embalmer came out from
Atlanta and embalmed it.
Thursday afternoon, after a funeral as largely attended as any ever held in Alpharetta, the Baptist Church and church yard being overflowed the body was sadly lowered to his final resting place. The floral offerings were profuse and very beautiful. Rev. Robert Thompson, the pastor and Rev. A. B. Couch, former pastor and very close friend of the family, conducted the services.
Mr. Oliver was about 62 years of age. He had been in business in Alpharetta for about 33 years, and was a successful trader. He made money and saved it and leaves an estate of several thousand dollars. It is understood that he had several thousand in life insurance. He is said to have left a will.
Surviving Mr. Oliver are his wife, three sons and four daughters: W. C., R. E., and C. G. Oliver, all of this place; Mrs. John R. Show, of near town; Mrs. John Walker, of two miles northwest of town; Mrs. J. H. Bagwell, of this place; Miss Bert at home. He also leaves a sister, Mrs. Jennie Tribble, of Alabama City, Ala.
John Oliver was the possessor of his own soul. Few men that we have known had greater control of temper and tongue. With silence or a soft answer he frequently turned away wrath. He was always considerate of the feelings of others and modest in his own claims. But the place where he shone to greatest advantage was in the home. He literally worshiped his family finding nearly all his pleasures in the company of wife and children and grandchildren. For their comfort and pleasure he labored in season and out.
This sad home has lost its center piece; the church and community have lost a man who was willing and able to help and support; all of us in social or business touch with him have lost a personal and business friend. May his ashes rest in peace until that day in the sweet bye and bye, when the dead in Christ shall rise to meet their loved ones.