Allen Fort (July 14, 1849 - April 20, 1907) was a judge, railroad commission founder and member, and state legislator in Georgia.[1][2]
Fort was born near Lumpkin, Georgia July 14, 1849.[2][3] He received a first class honors degree from the University of Georgia in 1867.[4] While at the university he was the co-founder of the local chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.[3] After he obtained his degree he went to Americus and was admitted to the bar.[3]
He was a delegate to the State Democratic Convention in June 1872 representing Sumter County.[5] Later the same year he was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives to represent Sumter County as a Democrat.[6] He was re-elected to the legislature several times[3] including to the Georgia Senate.[4]
Fort was made judge of the southwestern circuit in 1882 and was the youngest member of the bench.[3] He made a run for congress in 1896 to fill the vacated seat of Charles R. Crisp[7] but was defeated by Elijah B. Lewis.[4] He served as circuit judge until 1991 when he left to become a railroad commossioner.[3]
He had eight children,[1] including Hollis Fort,[2] who was also a Sumter County lawyer and state legislator.[8]
Fort died April 20, 1907 from pneumonia at his home in Americus. He was survived by his wife and six children.[4] He was buried in Oak Grove cemetery.[4]
