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Capt. Joseph H. Fussell, prominent lawyer, Confederate vetean, and citizen of Columbia, Tenn., died there on November 4, 1915, having been in failing health for some time. Captain Fussell was born in Maury County in January, 1836, and had nearly reached fourscore years of age. He is survived by his wife and several nieces and nephews. He was highly educated and exceptionally intellectual and was a lawyer of profound ability. He was one of the best-known Confederate veterans in the State and was at one time prominent in politics.

A desire to do something for his country was manifested early in life; for he enlisted at the age of eleven years as an American soldier to fight the Mexicans, but was rejected on account of his youth. At the beginning of the War between the States he enlisted in Forrest's cavalry as a private, but was soon promoted to the command of a troop of soldiers. His war experience included participation in seventy battles without losing a drop of blood. At the battle of Franklin he was shot through the beard, but was not injured. He was mustered out at Charlotte, N. C., on May 3, 1865, being under General Wheeler at that time. He returned to his home, in Columbia; and on January 23, 1873, he was married to Miss Margarete Roberts, a daughter of Capt. William Tate Roberts and granddaughter of Gen. Isaac Roberts, who was a general under Washington in the Revolution. He acquired his education at Jackson College, of Columbia, and received a law degree. After graduation he began the practoce of law and soon entered politics.

In 1870 Captain Fussell was elected attorney-general of his district and served creditably until 1886. No public officer ever discharged his duties with more courage, fidelity, and ability. All his life Captain Fussell had been an ardent prohibitionist. He was a ruling elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, having devoted most of the latter years of his life to the cause of that Church. He was a member of the Board of Publication, President of the Legal Board, and State Clerk of the Tennessee Synod. In 1910 he was unanimously elected Moderator of the General Assembly which convened at Dickson, where the Cumberland Presbyterian Church had been organized a hundred years before.

Captain Fussell was a man of sterling honesty and of high moral standards. He was a sincere and unselfish friend, a devoted husband, a strong patriot, and a high-class citizen. He was prominent in fraternal circles, having been a Mason, a Knight Templar, and a Knight of Pythias. He was looked upon as a leader among the Confederate veterans of his county and was always interested in the annual reunions.