HON. T. H. NIBLACK

PROMINENT CITIZEN OF WINDER, FORMERLY OF JACKSON COUNTY, PASSES AWAY FROM EARTH TO ETERNITY

In the death of Hon. Thomas Niblack, Georgia lost one of her trustworthy, honest and solid citizens. On last Saturday night in the home of his son, Mr. Carl O. Niblack, at Winder, Judge T. H. Niblack breathed his last.  While he had been somewhat indisposed for several days, the end came unexpectedly to the family.

On Sunday at 5 p. m., in the Methodist church at Winder, his funeral obsequies were conducted by Rev. J. H. Mashburn, after which a fitting and beautiful tribute was paid to his life and memory by Judge Richard B. Russell, who served as judge and solicitor during Mr. Niblack's term as clerk of the superior court and county treasurer of Jackson county.  He also served with him in the house of representatives of Georgia. His remains were then interred in the Winder cemetery.

Judge T. H. Niblack was born and reared in Jackson County, and was a member of that patriotic, influential and powerful family known as the "Camp Sisters."  He was 77 years old.
 
When the tocsin of war sounded, and the South called for volunteers to fight for her, Thomas H. Niblack responded to his country's call, and for four years served in the army of Lee and Jackson and Gordon.  In that sad, but desperate conflict, he received a severe wound.

After the war, he used his efforts for the rehabilitation of his wounded and weeping land.  In 1866, his fellow citizens called him to serve them as clerk and treasurer of Jackson county.  With conspicuous credit to himself, and honor to the county, he filled this office for twenty years, after which he voluntarily returned to the inviting shades of private life.  Not long, however, was he allowed to remain a private citizen, for he was in 1886 chosen as one of Jackson County's representatives in the lower house.  Only one term he served, when he voluntarily again retired from politics.  In 1890, he was again elected clerk of the superior court and county treasurer.  He served one term.  In 1900, he was again elected to the house, where he served with ability his county and his State.  This was the last office he held.  In 1904, he moved from this county, and has since lived in either DeKalb county, in Atlanta, or in Winder.

On June 28, 1876, he united in holy wedlock with Miss Julia C. Lyle, and their home was blessed with four children--Mr. C. O. Niblack, Misses Selma and India Niblack and Mrs. Goldsmith.
 
He has three brothers--Messrs. Z. T., H. R. and V. A. Niblack, all residents of Jackson county.  He has four sisters living--Mrs. J. R. Lanier of Winder, Mrs. J. N. Hardy, Mrs. Nelie Bell, and Miss Ada Niblack, of this county.
 
Judge Niblack was a member of the Methodist church.  The same preacher, Rev. J. H. Mashburn, who received him into the church here in 1895, conducted the funeral of this distinguished son of Georgia.  He was a Mason.  For several years he was a trustee of Martin Institute.

Judge Niblack was a man of integrity, and would suffer to be thrown into the fiery furnace of defeat or despair before he would bend the knee to the golden image of disloyalty and dishonor.

The Jackson Herald (Jefferson GA), Thursday, 27 September 1917, p. 1