BIOGRAPHICAL DIRECTORY
TENNESSEE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
1796-1969
(Preliminary, No. 41)
MADISON COUNTY
Akin, Thomas Hughlon (1904-1943)
Anderson, Hugh Carmack (1890-1953)
Anderson, Hugh Crump (1851-1915)
Askew, Augustus Holly (c.1870-)
Barry, William Frances, Sr. (1861-1935)
Barry, William Frances, Jr. (1900-1967)
Beare, Samuel Taylor (1901-)
Benton, George Oliver (1915-)
Berryhill, Grailyn Hewitt (1896-)
Bickerstaff, James Q. (1914-)
Blackmon, John Erasmus (1855-1938)
Bledsoe, Jefferson Davis, Jr., (1898-)
Boon, John J. (c.1827-?)
Boswell, James H. (1922-)
Bradford, Alexander (1799-1873)
Brown, Hervey (1817-1870)
Bullock, Ernest Linden (1849-1914)
Buntin, Jess Howell (1895-1956)
Caruthers, Stoddert (1845-1904)
Chester, Robert I. (Johnstone) (1793-1892)
Cockrill, William Goodloe (1810-1886)
Davis, J. Carl (1907-)
Diamond, James P. (1925-)
Dungan, John Richard (1885-1955)
Exum, Martin van Buren (1839-1918)
Fulghum, Eugene (c.1869-?)
Futtrell, James Green (1842-1919)
Gilmore, Milton Brown (1866-1906)
Goodrich, Billy Jack (1931-)
Greer, John C. (c.1823-1871)
Harris, Robert A. (?-?)
Haskell, William Turner (1818-1859)
Haynes, Robert Walter (1840-1905)
Henderson, Gid Taylor (c. 1871-?)
Herron, John S. (c.1803-?)
Hurt, Absalom DeBerry (1844-1888)
Hurt, Robert Bailey (1821-1881)
Jackson, Alexander (1805-1879)
Jackson, Howell Edmunds (1832-1895)
Johnson, Albert Sidney (1866-1959)
Johnson, Frank Lee (1899-1947)
Keith, John Yancey (1838-1919)
King, D. Hamner (1835-1892)
Kyle, Gayle H. (c.1807-post 1835)
Lasley, Thomas Raymond (1891-1958)
Long, Thomas Crawford, Sr. (1857-1929)
Lyon, James S. (c.1802-c.1864)
McClaren, Robert Smith (1858-1936)McCollum, Frances Pope (c. 1861-?)
McIver, Duncan (c. 1778-1835)
McKnight, John Thomas (1934-)
McLean, Charles D. (1795-1881)
McLemore, Eugene Brooks, Jr. (1920-)
Martin, Andrew L. (?-?)
Mays, Rufus Adolphus
Madlin, Robertson
Midyett, James A. (1880-1961)
Midyett, Thomas Earle (1918-)
Miller, William Blount (c.1805-?)
Moss, William Preston (1897-)
Murrell, David Lindsay (1856-1895)
Neely, Robert Bert (1859-1937)
Newbern, Thomas H. (1814-1879)
Nichols, Maurice H. (1913-)
Parham, William H. (1911-1966)
Parker, David Hardie (1832-1901)
Pearson, Jonathan Dudley (1831-1899)
Perkins, George G. (c.1823-?)
Perry, William Albert (1854-1930)
Phillips, Felix Hamilton (1892-1952)
Pope, Henry Leroy (1916-)
Pope, John (1892-)
Pope, Thadeus Walker (1875-1938)
Raines, James Tidwell (1849-1926)
Reid, Ambrose R. (c.1817-1886)
Rice, John J. (1830-1879)
Rice, William Russell (1917-)
Robinson, James N. 1865-1940)
Rogers, Archibald S. (c.1819-?)
Short, Morgan Keith (1903-1962)
Simmons, W. Lowell (c.1911-)
Sneed, Richard Reynolds (1875-1947)
Snipes, Farrington Burnett (1828-1909)
Steadman, Albert Sidney (1886-1956)
Stewart, James Eugene (1917-)
Swink, Robert Burle (1873-1933)
Taylor, Andrew Thompson (1911-)
Taylor, Mark Henry (1864-1928)
Thomas, Lowell (1907-)
Thompson, William Andrews (1872-1945)
Tomlin, Hewett P., Jr. (1926-)
Townsend, Hobart L. (1905-)
Tyson, Benjamin (c. 1849-?)
Tyson, John Ambrose (c. 1874-?)
Wallace, James Hal (c.1912-)
Waters, Wallace (c.1809-1866)
PREFACE
The Tennessee State Library and Archives is collecting as much biographical information as possible on all persons who have been members of our General Assembly, from the beginning in 1796 to the present. Included also are persons who served in the Territorial Legislature and those who sat in the North Carolina Assembly from counties later included in Tennessee. The project, when completed, will likely include some 5,500 individuals.
Since a great majority of these persons have not gained national prominence, it has been necessary to look for information in a wide variety of sources, most of which are local in character. For this reason, it has been advantageous to conduct the search county by county. Although the State Library and Archives has a considerable body of sources on most counties, it is inevitable that information so collected is often incomplete and subject to error.
Therefore, preliminary sketches are being written as studies of the various counties are completed. These sketches not only include what information we have on the individual, but they also indicate what is lacking to make the sketches as complete as planned.
There have been in all, ninety-six persons to go to the legislature from Madison County. Obviously, information on some is scant, on others is reasonably full, and on many not as full as could be desired. In the back of this pamphlet is included a list of questions to which we have sought answers. [not scanned]
Members of the State Library and Archives staff hope that the sketches will interest many people; they also hope that persons who can correct errors or furnish missing information will write to the Research and Publications Unit, Tennessee State Library and Archives, 7th Avenue North, Nashville, Tennessee, 37219. Such cooperation will help make final sketches more correct and complete, when they are published in book form.
To this end, permission is hereby granted to news; media, to the county historians, and to teachers to use the sketches in ways best likely to stimulate interested and desired cooperation.
The preliminary sketches of legislators from Madison County were prepared by Robert M. McBride. The conception of this Biographical Directory of the Tennessee General Assembly was that of the late Dan N. Robison, former State Library and Archivist, and it is our hope to continue and complete it as he would have wished.
Robert M. McBride
Director, Research and PublicationsDecember 31, 1973
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Akin, Thomas Hughlon (1904-1943)
SENATE, 70th GeneraJ. Assembly, 1937-39; representing Chester, Henderson, and Madison counties; Democrat. Born at Trezevant, Carroll County, on May 8, 1904; son of Luther Adolphus and Caroline Lucinda (Jones.) Akin. Attended public schools of Jackson, Madison County Union University, Jackson; and Cumberland University, Lebanon, Wilson County. Linotype operator for Jackson Sun before beginning practice of law. Married in Mexico City, Mexico, on July 12, 1937, to Dell Fisackerly; daughter of Bart and Lyda Fisackerly; children--Amanda Ann and Thomas H. Akin, Jr. In Tennessee Department of Employment under Governor Gordon Browning; city attorney of Jackson from establishment of his office until his death. Member Christian Church; Mason and Shriner. Died at Jackson on August 16, 1943; buried in Hollywood Cemetery, Jackson.
Sources: Public Acts of Tennessee, 1937; information supplied by sister, Mrs. A. R. Lasater, Jackson.
Anderson, Hugh Carmack (1890-1953)
SENATE, 67th General Assembly, 1931-33; representing Chester, Henderson, and Madison counties; Democrat. Born in Jackson, Madison County, on May 19, 1890; son of Hugh Crump and Emma (Burdette) Anderson. Educated in public schools of Jackson; University of Tennessee, Knoxville; received LL.B. degree from Cumberland University, Lebanon, Wilson County; admitted to the bar in 1915. Began law practice in Jackson. Married in January 1918 to Virginia Ione Ray, daughter of Joseph Ray. Children--Theresa (Mrs. George O. Benton), Jane Burdette (Mrs. Henry R. Penn), and a son who died in infancy. In World War I: private in 324th Field Signal Battalion. Appointed assistant attorney-general of the 19th Judicial Circuit; remained until 1922, when he resumed private practice. After legislative services appointed judge of the Court of Appeals, in which capacity he served until his death. This service was interrupted by appointment by President Truman as Presiding Judge, Military Tribunal III, sitting at Nurenberg, Germany, for trial of Alfred Krupp von Bohlem und Holbach and eleven other officials of the Krupp Armament Industry for war crimes, 1947-48. (In 1952 Vanderbilt University Chapter of the Order of the Coif made him an honorary member in recognition of his outstanding services as a jurist.) Campaign manager for both U.S. Senator Kenneth D. McKellar and Congressman Gordon Browning. Episcopalian. Member of American, Madison County, and Jackson bar associations; American Legion; Elks; Knights of Pythias; Moose; Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity; Dramatic Order of the Knights of Khorassan. Died in Jackson on May 7, 1953; buried in
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Hollywood Cemetery, Jackson. Son of Hugh Crump Anderson, father-in-law of George Oliver Benton, sometime members Tennessee General Assembly.
Sources: Moore, Tennessee, The Volunteer State, II, 866-67; Blake, Lawmakers and Public Men of Tennessee, 29; History of Jackson Lodge #45, F. & A. M., 257; Tennessee Appeals Reports, Vol.36, 1952-53, pp. 711 29; Tennessee Blue Book, 1951-52; Jackson Sun, May 8, 1953.
Anderson, Hugh Crump, (1851-1915)
HOUSE, 41st General Assembly, 1879-81; representing Hardeman, Haywood, and Madison counties; HOUSE, 42nd General Assembly, 1881-83 (took the seat of Howell E. Jackson, resigned), representing Madison County; SENATE, 59th General Assembly, 1915-17; representing Chester, Henderson, and Madison counties; Speaker of the Senate; Democrat. Born in McNairy County, on February 2, 1851; son of William Taylor and Mahala (Wisdom) Anderson. Educated in McNairy County public schools; West Tennessee College, Jackson, Madison County; and received LL.B. degree in 1873 from Cumberland University Law School, Lebanon, Wilson County. Began law practice in Jackson, He was married (1st) to Helen Bond (1855-78), daughter of John D. Bond; children--Bond and Allen Anderson. Married (2nd) to Emma Burdette (1863-99); children--Hugh Carmack and Annie Anderson. Third marriage to Ellen Bond (1854-1918); no children. City Attorney of Jackson, 1874-75; Mayor of Jackson, 1884-1908. In 1889 he organized the Peoples Savings Bank, of which he was president until his death; active in financial circles for twenty-five years. Member of Board of Education for fifteen years; trustee of the University of Tennessee, 1909-13. Director of Tennessee Centennial, 1896-97. Assistant District Attorney for the Western Division during President Cleveland's first term. Member Jackson County Election Commission. Member of Tennessee Commission to the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, 1904. Member of Presbyterian Church; Mason; Elks; Knights of Pythias. Died in Nashville, Davidson County, on March 1, 1915; funeral services held at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Jackson; buried in Riverside Cemetery, Jackson. Father of Hugh Carmack Anderson, sometime member Tennessee General Assembly.
Sources: Blake, Lawmaker s and Public Men of Tennessee, 29; Williams, The Volunteer State, II, 309, 530; Madison County Tombstone Inscriptions, 15, 58; Jackson Sun, May 24, 1878; May 21, 1916; Lebanon Democrat, March 4, 1915; Nashville Banner, March 4, 1915.
Askew, Augustus Holly (c.1870-?)
HOUSE, 53rd and 55th General Assembly, 1903-05, 1907-09; representing Madison County; SENATE, 56th and 57th General Assemblies, 1909-13; representing Chester, Henderson, and Madison counties; Democrat. Born in Tennessee c.1870; exact date and place; names of parents, and extent of schooling not found. Reared on a farm on Spring Creek, in Madison County; also engaged in the breeding of livestock. No information on wife, children, or later life.
Sources: U.S. Census, 1880, Jackson County; Tennessee Gazetteer, 1887, p. 696; Askew file, Tennessee State Library.
Barry, William Frances, Sr. (1861-1935)
SENATE, 65th and 66th General Assemblies, 1927-31; representing Chester, Henderson, and Madison counties; Democrat. Speaker of the Senate, 65th Assembly. Born at Saundersville, Sumner County, on July 20, 1861; son of John Nichol and Caroline Fletcher (Franklin) Barry. No details on education found. Businessman and political leader. Lived in Madison County at time of legislative service; for twenty-five years secretary of the West Tennessee Fair Association. Married at Union City, Obion County, on August 6, 1884, to Etta Lee Moore (1865-1939), daughter of James Alexander and Eliza Ann (Hanks) Moore; children--William Francis, Jr., James, and Bernice Barry. Member Presbyterian Church; Elks Lodge. Died in Jackson, Madison County, on May 15, 1935; buried in Eastview Cemetery, Union City. Father of William Francis Barry, Jr., sometime member Tennessee General Assembly.
Sources: Lexington Progress, May 24, 1935; Nashville Tennessean, May 16, 1935; Jackson Sun, February 7, 1924; information supplied by daughter, Bernice Barry, Jackson.
Barry, William Francis, Jr. (1900-1967)
HOUSE, 63rd and 64th General Assemblies, 1923-27; representing Madison County; Democrat. Speaker of the House, 64th General Assembly. Born in Union City, Obion County, on February 2, 1900; son of William Francis and Etta Lee (Moore) Barry. Educated in public schools of Jackson, Madison County; Union University, Jackson; George Washington University, Washington, D.C.; received LL.B. degree from Cumberland University Law School, Lebanon, Wilson County.
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in 1921. Moved with his parents to Jackson in 1906. Lawyer, jurist, and businessman. Began practice in Jackson, but moved to Nashville after his marriage, in Nashville on December 28, 1935, to Eleanor Tyne, daughter of Thomas James and Jane Ratterman Tyne. No children. In 1944 became a member of the board of directors of National Life and Accident Insurance Company, Nashville; vice-president and general counsel, 1944; attorney for WSM since 1953. Assistant State Attorney-General, 1926-28; Solicitor-General, 1939-51. Member Tennessee Tax Pension Committee, 1947. Elected twice to National Democratic Executive Committee, 1935, 1937. Member Baptist Church. In World War I; serving a few months in late 1918. Member American and Tennessee bar associations; American Legion; Elks; Cumberland Club; Nashville Gun Club; Belle Meade Country Club; Nashville Chamber of Commerce; Sons of the American Revolution; Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. Died in Nashville on June 4, 1967; buried in Eastview Cemetery, Union City. Son of William Frances Barry, sometime member Tennessee General Assembly.
Sources: Information supplied by self; Moore, Tennessee, The Volunteer State, III, 201; Tennessee Vital Statistics, Death Certificate #15681 and 10272.
Beare, Samuel Taylor (1901-)
HOUSE, 69th General Assembly, 1935-37; representing Madison County; Democrat. Born in Humboldt, Gibson County, on October 18, 1901; son of Samuel Taylor and Evelyn Nelson (Hunt) Beare. Attended McCallie Preparatory School, Chattanooga, Hamilton County; Kentucky Military Institute, Lexington, 1918-22; appointed to U.S. Military Academy, but did not accept; graduated from Vanderbilt University Law School, Nashville, and admitted to the bar in 1925. Attorney in Jackson; affiliated with the Beare Ice and Coal Company, established by his father, 1925-32. Married (1st) in 1925 to Evelyn Weatherby and (2nd) in Little Rock, Arkansas, on October 16, 1942, to Betty Carl Booth, daughter of James Holston and Evelyn (Cowan) Booth. Children Samuel Taylor, Evelyn, and Richard Leslie Booth. U.S. Commissioner, 1936; special attorney on Department of Justice staff, 1937-38. Removed to Memphis, Shelby County, about 1939 and continued law practice there. Episcopalian. Member American, Tennessee, and Memphis bar associations; Tennessee Manufactures Association; chairman of public relations for the Southern Division, National Association of Ice Industries; Mason; American Legion; Officers Club of Memphis; Sigma Nu Fraternity. Address: (business), 100 North Main Building; (residence), 32 East Charlotte Circle, Memphis.
Sources: Folmsbee, Corlew, and Mitchell, History of Tennessee, IV, 825-26; Nashville Tennessean, December 25, 1934.
Benton, George Oliver (1915-)
SENATE, 75th and 76th General Assemblies, 1947-51; representing Chester, Henderson, and Madison counties; Democrat. Speaker of the Senate 75th General Assembly. Born in Jackson, Madison County, on June 22, 1915; son of Oliver Benton and Lucy W. (Wilkerson) Benton. Attended public schools of Jackson; graduated from Vanderbilt University, Nashville 1938; received LL.B. degree from Vanderbilt in 1940. In World War II: Major in U.S. Marine Corps, 194-45. Attorney; vice-president Hub City Title Company-; secretary and treasurer, General Distributors; director, National Bank of Commerce. Democratic Committeeman, 1969-70. Married in Jackson on November 6, 1943, to Theresa Anderson, daughter of Hugh C. and Virginia Ione (Ray) Anderson; children--Jane Anderson, George Oliver, Jr., and Hugh Anderson Benton. Member Methodist Church; American Legion; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Elks; Sigma Chi fraternity. Address: 1st National Bank Building, Jackson. Son-in-law of Hugh C. Anderson, sometime member Tennessee General Assembly.
Sources: Information supplied by self; Public Acts of Tennessee, 1947, 1949; Tennessee Blue Book, 1947-48; Jackson City Directory, 1967-68.
Berryhill, Grailyn Hewitt (1896-)
HOUSE, 85th and 86th General Assemblies, 1967-73; representing Madison County; Democrat until 1966; Republican thereafter. Born in McKenzie, Carroll County, on August 17, 1896; son of Adam D. and Hattie (Costen) Berryhill. Attended schools of Carroll County; Vanderbilt University, Nashville; Tulane University, New Orleans; and Washington University. Medical degree from Vanderbilt University. Military training at Vanderbilt University in 1918; no active duty. Retired physician. Sometime chairman, Democratic Executive Committee. Formerly member of Methodist Church; in 1969 became member of Christian Church. Member American Medical Association; Tennessee and Madison County Medical Societies; president, Academy of Ophthalmology; American Legion; Masonic Order; Elks Lodge. Married in Atwoood, Carroll County, on June 20, 1921, to Thelma M. Harwood (1898-1969), daughter of Henry and Ola Harwood; children--Grailyn (Mrs. Leslie Brooks) and Ann Berryhill (Mrs. James H. Boswell). Residence: 517 Westmoreland, Jackson, 38301. Father-in-law of James H. Boswell, sometime member Tennessee General Assembly.
Sources: Legislative Council files; information supplied by self.
Bickerstaff, James Q. (1914-)
HOUSE, 75th General Assembly, 1947-49; representing Madison County; Democrat. Born in Crockett County c. 1914; names of parents and extent of schooling not given. In 1947 he was a mechanic with Southern Bus Lines; later became sales manager of Jackson Truck and Tractor Company; so listed in Jackson City Directory of 1967-68. Married to Emily, her maiden name and names of children, if any, not given. Member Knights of Pythias. Address: Jackson, Box 101, RFD #6.
Source: Legislative Council files.
Blackmon, John Erasmus (1855-1938)
HOUSE, 59th and 60th General Assemblies, 1915-19; HOUSE, 61st General Assembly, 1919-21 (resigned; replaced by Felix M. Phillips); HOUSE, 62nd General Assembly, 1921-23; representing Madison County in all sessions; Democrat. Born in Madison County on September 20, 1855; son of Burrell Franklin and Mary E. (Wilson) Blackmon. Attended common schools; reared on a farm; moved to Jackson in 1897 end entered carpentry trade; active in labor unions and councils. Married on March 19, 1878, to Laura Cobb; one son, name not given. President and charter member local union #259 at Jackson for twenty-five years; attended a number of national union conventions. Helped to organize the Tennessee Council of Carpenters in 1919; delegate to the councils, 1920, 1923. Deputy factory inspector. Member Methodist Church. Died in Jackson, Madison County, on April 28, 1938; buried in Hollywood Cemetery, Jackson.
Sources: Blake, Lawmakers and Public Men of Tennessee, 82; Madison County MarriageLicenses, 1838 7, p. 177; Madison County Tombstone Inscriptions, 70; Jackson Sun, April 29, 1938; Tennessee Vital Statistics, Death Certificate #8234.
Bledsoe, Jefferson Davis, Jr. (1898-)
SENATE, 71st General Assembly, 1939-4; representing Chester, Henderson, and Madison counties; Democrat. Born in Jackson, Madison County, on May 26, 1898; son of Jefferson Davis and Ninna Lenora (Tinkle) Bledsoe. Educated in public schools of Jackson; Union University, Jackson; received LL.B. degree from Southern University, Memphis, in 1944. Printer and newspaperman, 1921-38; Director of Sanitation, City of Jackson, 1939-46; County Purchasing Agent, 1948. Married at Greenfield, Weakley County, on August 12, 1934, to Lucille Walters, daughter of John and Ludie (Pence) Walters. One daughter--
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Betty Jane Bledsoe. County manager for general election of 1920. Member Methodist Church; B.P.O.E.; Knights of Pythias; Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. In Reserve Officers Training Corps, 1918; member American Legion , sometime judge advocate of John A. Dever Post #12. Author of several sections of Historic Madison, compiled by Emma Inman Williams (1946). Residence: 743 East Chester Street, Jackson. Kinsman of Anthony Bledsoe, sometime representative of the State of Franklin for the North Carolina House of Commons; of Lewis Yancy Bledsoe and Boyd C. Bledsoe, sometime members Tennessee General Assembly.
Sources: Public Acts of Tennessee, 1939; information supplied by self.
Boon, John J. (c.1827-?)
HOUSE, 40th General Assembly, 1877-79; representing Madison County; Democrat. Born in Tennessee c, 1827; exact place and date not given; son of Mathias and Margaret J. Boon. Studied law-and was admitted to the bar in Madison County in 1849. In -Civil War: In Company I, 6th Regiment, Tennessee Volunteers, C.S.A. Married (1st) to Martha E. ___________; (2nd) on March 29, 1866 to Lucretia T. Lacy, daughter of Thomas Lacy. Children, by second wife--Mary, Demetrios, John A., William, Charles, Maggie, and Mark Boon. Lawyer and farmer; editor of the Jackson Whig 1880. No later information located.
Sources: Williams, Historic Madison, 351; The Tennessee Whig, June 7, 1861; March 31 1866; Madison County Court Minutes, Vol. 4, 1833-40, Pt. I, p. 266; Part II, p 446; Vol. 6, 1849-53, Pt. I, p. 55; Madison County Marriage Licenses, 1866-68, p. 7; 1838-47, p. 70; U.S. Census, 1850, 1880, Jackson County.
Boswell, James H. (1922-)
HOUSE, 79th and 80th General Assemblies, 1955-59; representing Madison County; Democrat. Born at Marion, Crittenden County, Kentucky, on January 24, 1922; son of Bebe and Zelma Lola (Biggs) Boswell. Attended public schools of Jackson, Madison County; Lambuth College, Jackson, 1940-42; received LL.B. from Vanderbilt University, 1949. Has practiced law in Jackson, 1950-date. In World War II: U.S. Navy, 1942-46. Married in Jackson on June 20, 1953, to Alicia Anne Berryhill, daughter of Dr. Grailyn H. and Thelma (Harwood) Berryhill. Children--Alicia Ann and Molly Elizabeth Boswell. U.S. Commissioner, 1967-68, member Board of Elders, First Christian Church, Jackson. Member American and Tennessee bar associations; Knights of Pythias; B.P.O:E.; Sigma Alpha Epsilon
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and Phi Alpha Delta fraternities; Junior Chamber of Commerce; Lions Club; American Legion; Jackson Golf and Country Club. Residence: 18 Sunnyside Drive, Jackson. Son-in-law of Dr. G. H. Berryhill, sometime member Tennessee General Assembly.
Sources: Public Acts of Tennessee, 1955, 1957; Legislative Council files; information supplied by self.
Bradford, Alexander (1799-1873)
SENATE, 22nd General Assembly, 1837-39; representing Hwywood, Madison, and Tipton counties; Whig. Born in Jefferson County in 1799; son of Benjamin and Mary (McFarland) Bradford. Read law in Knoxville, Knox County; admitted to the bar in Jackson, Madison County, 1821, and began practice there. One of the promoters of the State Bank of Tennessee; active in promoting railroads. Married on September 9, 1824, to Darthula Olivia Miller, daughter of Pleasant M. and Mary Louise (Blount) Miller. Two daughters--Darthula (Mrs. Henry E. Williamson) and Mary Bradford (Mrs. E. W. Upshaw). Brigadier general, Tennessee Militia, 1831; major general, 1833. Colonel in Florida War, 1836; major of the 1st Mississippi Regiment, Mexican War, 1847; awarded a sword by State of Mississinpi for his gallantry at the Battle of Buena Vista. First attorney-general of the Madison District, 1821-37. Removed to Holly Springs, Mississippi, about 1839. Served in the Mississippi legislature; unsuccessful candidate for governor of Mississippi; member of Confederate Congress from Mississippi. Spent his final years in retirement at Holly Springs. Died in Bolivar County, Mississippi, on July 9, 1873; buried in Hill Crest Cemetery, Holly Springs. Son-in-law of Pleasant M. Miller and kinsman of several other sometime members of Tennessee General Assembly; his mother-in-law was a daughter of Governor William Blount.
Sources: Goodspeed, History of Madison County, 820; Ray, Tennessee Cousins, 732, 735; Williams, Beginnings of West Tennessee, 220, 228: Williams, Historic Madison, 4, 65, 104, 231, 325; Speer, Prominent Tennesseans, 132; Rosters and Soldiers, 319, 1178; Nashville Whig, September 29, 1824; Memphis Daily-Appeal, July 13, 1873.
Brown, Hervev (1817-1870)
HOUSE, 31st General Assembly, 1855-57; 34th (Reconstruction) General Assembly, 1865-67, Extra Called Session and 2nd Adjourned Session (replacing Wallace Waters, deceased); representing Madison County; Know-Nothing Party; later
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Republican. Born in Lebanon ,Ohio, in 1817, exact place and date; names of parents, and extent of schooling not found. Married to Martha Lenora, maiden name not given; one daughter--Fannie Brown, who died in childhood. Occupation: lawyer. Member Roman Catholic Church; I.O.O.W., Jackson Lodge #16; Grand Master Mason. Died in Jackson, Madison County, on April 13, 1870; buried in Riverside Cemetery, Jackson. Brother of Milton Brown, sometime Chancellor of the Western Division and member of U.S. House of Representatives.
Sources: Williams, Historic Madison, 310; The TennesseeWhig, April 10, 1857; Cleveland Banner, April 21, 1870; Madison County Tombstone Inscriptions, 61.
Bullock, Ernest Linden (1849-1914)
SENATE, 48th General Assembly, 1893-95; representing Henderson and Madison counties; HOUSE 51st General Assembly, 1899-1901; representing Madison County; Democrat. Born in Madison County on June 16, 1849; son of Micajah and Susan M. (Brown) Bullock; attended West Tennessee University. At the age of seventeen became deputy clerk of the Supreme Court at Brownsville, Haywood County, which he held four years. Entered law school at Cumberland University, Lebanon, Wilson County; graduated in 1871 and admitted to bar, practicing in Jackson, Madison County. Unmarried. Attorney General, 1878-86 Tennessee Railroad Commission, 1887-91; chancellor, 1906-13. Chairman, Madison County Democratic Executive Committee, 1886; delegate to state convention, 1908. Member Knights of Pythias, sometime commander of local lodge and Grand Inner Guard of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee. Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Died at Newport, Cooke County, August 8, 1914, son of Micajah Bullock, and uncle of Richard Reynolds Sneed, sometime members Tennessee General Assembly.
Sources: Miller, Official Manual, 190; Tennessee Blue Book, 1969-70, 280; Proceedings of the Tennessee Bar Association, 1915, pp. 125-26; Goodspeed, History of Madison County, 846-47; Nashville Banner, August 10, 1914.
Buntin, Jesse Howell (1895-1956)
HOUSE, 69th General Assembly, 1935-37; representing Madison County; SENATE, 72nd and 73rd General Assemblies, 1941-45; representing Chester and Madison counties; Democrat. Born in Jackson, Madison County, on October 16, 1895; son of John Henry and Georgia (Coon) Buntin. Educated in public schools of Madison County. Farmer. Married to Marietta
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Meriwether; one son--John Henry Buntin. Sometime member of Tennessee Stream Pollution and Tennessee Museum boards; deputy game warden for Madison County, 1921; U.S. Genie Management Agent for Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi, 1935; director, Tennessee Game and Fish Commission, 1936-39, 1944-47; Tennessee Commissioner of Conservation, 1947-50. Member Baptist Church. Sometime secretary of Tennessee Fox Hunters Association; member of many sportsmans clubs. Died in Jackson on July 21, 1956; buried in churchyard of Andrews Chapel Methodist Church, Jackson.
Sources: Tennessee Blue Book, 1947-48, p. 48; Jackson Sun, July 22, 1956; Tennessee Vital Statistics, Death Certificate #16206.
Caruthers, Stoddard (1845-1904)
SENATE, 53rd General Assembly, 1903-05; representing Chester, Henderson, and Jackson counties; Democrat. Born in Jackson, Madison County, on February 21, 1845; son of James and Frances Eliza (McCorry) Caruthers, Attended West Tennessee College; left school to enlist as a private in Company G., 9th Regiment, Tennessee Cavalry, Forrest's 1st Brigade; served under Generals Wheeler and Forrest during Hood' a campaign at Nashville; surrendered at Gainesville, Alabama, 1865. After the war he entered Cumberland University, Lebanon, Wilson County, and graduated in 1867. Attorney and jurist. Married in Jackson in 1888 to Ella Caroline Brown, daughter of Judge Milton and Sarah Frances (Torian) Brown. Children--Medora (Mrs. Randall Vann), Sarah, Ella (Mrs. Thornley Jobe) and Henry Brown Caruthers. Attorney-general, 11th Judicial Circuit, 1888; alderman of Jackson for eighteen years. Member Jackson County Democratic Executive Committee. Episcopalian. Died in Jackson on December 20, 1904; buried in Riverside Cemetery, Jackson. Son-in-law of Milton Brown, sometime member U.S. House of Representatives.
Sources: Allison, Notable Men of Tennessee, II, 117; Tennessee Historical Quarterly, VIII, 27; Confederate History, VIII, 401; History of Jackson Lodge #45, F. & A. M., 261; Madison County Tombstone Inscriptions, 61, 63; U.S. ensus, 1850, 1860, Madison County.
Chester, Robert I. (Johnstone) (1793-1892)
HOUSE, 36th General Assembly, 1869-71 (replaced I .J. Roach, deceased; served eight days in adjourned session; unseated by W .I. McFarland) and 37th General Assembly, 1871-73;
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representing Carroll, Gibson, Henry, and Madison counties; Democrat. Born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, on July 31, 1793; son of John and Mary (Greer) Chester. Educated in "old field" schools of Jonesboro, Washington County. In War of 1812: served in the 3rd Tennessee Regiment. He then removed to Carthage, Smith County, where he lived until Madison County was opened up; established his home near Jackson in 1823. Merchant, surveyor, lawyer, and promoter. Married (1st) in Shelby County on January 20, 1825 to Elizabeth Hayes (1803-1841), daughter of Robert and Jane (Donelson) Hayes; seven children--Mary Jane (Mrs. George W. Bond), John, Robert Hayes, Martha (Mrs. L.L. Battle), William Butler, Andrew Jackson, and Samuel Hayes Chester. Married (2nd) on January 22, 1855, to Mrs. Jane P. (Royster) Donelson, daughter of David Royster; no children. Surveyor of Smith County, 1822; postmaster of Jackson, 1825-33, 1836-37a In 1835 he went to Texas; appointed a colonel by Governor Sam Houston; returned to Jackson to raise a regiment, but the Alamo fell before his plans materialized. Register of the Western Land District. U.S. Marshal for the Western District, 1837-61. Appointed surveyor for the Chickasaw Territory, but rejected because he was not a resident of Mississippi. In 1896 he was elected and qualified to serve out the term of I. J. Roach in the House, but after eight days he was unseated by W. I. McFarland. Carried Tennessee's electoral vote to Washington in 1884, and visited President-elect Grover Cleveland in Albany, New York. Marshal of Tennessee Supreme Count, 1886. Elder in the Presbyterian Church. Became a Mason at Carthage in 1817; rose through all degrees to Illustrious Grand Master of the State, to which he was three times elected. At the time of his death he was the oldest Mason in the United States. Died in Jackson on January 14, 1892; buried in a private cemetery, Jackson. Chester County, Tennessee, is named in his honor.
Sources: Williams, Historic Madison, 6, 54-57, 347, 531; Speer, Prominent Tennesseans, 20-23; History of Jackson Lodge #45, F. & A. M., 320; Goodspeed, History of Madison County, 500, 813, 816, 824, 851; information from Grand Lodge, F. & A. M., Nashville; Jackson Sun, Whig & Tribune, April 6, 1872; Jackson Sun and West Tennessee Whig, April 24, 1886; Jackson Journal, Misc. Papers, The Forked Deer Blade, January 7, 1888.
Cockrill, William Goodloe (1810-1886)
HOUSE, 35th General Assembly, 1867-69; representing Madison County; Democrat. Cockrill was qualified on October 7, 1867, and was present until October 15. (His seat was contested by Robert Medlin, who won). Born in Tennessee.
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exact place not given, on September 10, 1810; son of James Robertson and Sarah Applewhite (Jones) Cockrill. Settled with his father five miles west of Jackson, Madison County, in 1821. Extent of schooling not indicated. Occupation: planter, Married (1st) on December 29, 1835, to Sarah Louise Gohison; five children--James Benjamin, Martha Jane (Mrs. C. S. Hammer), Sarah Ann Eliza, Susan Caroline and Mack Applewhite Cockrill. Married (2nd) on July 1, 1856, to Amanda Paralee McMillin; seven children--Curtis Cowat (Mrs. Joshua J. Miller), Elizabeth Goodloe (Mrs. Joshua J. Miller), Elizabeth Goodloe (Mrs. Archibald Yarborough), Amanda Louise (Mrs. John W. Stanley), Robert Edward, John, Mark Rufus, and Samuel Jones Cockrill. Justice of the peace, 1846; Register of Madison County, 1856-66; superintendent of public schools, 1881-86. Steward and Trustee of Methodist Church. Secretary of Madison County "Minute Men" during the Civil War. Died in Jackson on December 17, 1886; place of burial not indicated. Cousin of Benjamin F. and Mark Sterling Cockrill, sometime members Tennessee General Assembly.
Sources: Goodspeed, History of Madison County, 800, 830; Jackson Sun, West Tennessee Whig, June 7, 1861, July 18, 1874; December 25, 1886; Williams, Historic Madison, 291, 526; Madison County Court Minutes.
Davis, J. Carl (1907-)
HOUSE, 84th General Assembly, 1965-67; representing Madison County; Democrat. Born March 4, 1907, place not stated; neither are names of parents and extent of schooling. Operator of body shop and radiator service in Jackson, Madison County. Married to Ruth M., maiden name not given; two daughters--Dorothy and Betty. Member Methodist Church; Knights of Pythias; Elks; Mason; Eastern Star. Scottish Rite Mason, 32nd degree. Address: (business) 130 Whitehall; (residence) Route 3, Jackson.
Source: Legislative Council files.
Diamond, James P. (1925-)
SENATE, 79th General Assembly, 1955-57; representing Chester, Henderson, and Madison counties; Democrat. Born in Jackson, Madison County in 1925, exact date; names of parents not given. Attended public schools of Madison County; Union University, Jackson; received LL.B. degree from Vanderbilt University, Nashville, 1950. Attorney.
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Voted Jackson's "Young Man of the Year," 1955. Active in youth programs and civic projects. In addition to law practice, has taught political science and business law at Union University. Unmarried at time of legislative service. Member of 1965 Constitutional Convention. Past vice-president, Lions Club; member Tennessee and Jackson-Madison bar associations. Jackson Little League; Babe Ruth League; V.F.W. Recreation Center; member and former director Jaycees; Exalted Ruler of Elks Lodge; past president Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity alumni association. Member American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Address: (business) National Bank of Commerce Building; (residence) 811 Burkett, Jackson.
Sources: Public Acts of Tennessee, 1957; Decatur County Herald, March 1, 1957; Legislative Council files.
Dungan, John Richard (1885-1955)
HOUSE, 711.th, 76th, and 77th General Assemblies, 1945-47, 1949-53; representing Madison County; Democrat. Born in Crockett County on September 27, 1885; son of T. G. H. and Rebecca Ann (Clanton) Dungan. Extent of schooling not given. Occupation: salesman; for a number of years Tennessee Hotel and Restaurant Inspector. Married to Julia Coplin in 1906; children--W. Aaron Dungan and Mrs. G. B. Morton. Member Baptist Church; Scottish Rite Mason. Retired in 1954 and died at the home of his son in Union City, Obion County, on September 11, 1955; buried in Hollywood Cemetery, Jackson, Madison County.
Sources: Jackson Sun, September 12, 1955; Tennessee Vital Statistics, Death Certificate #20766.
Exum, Martin Van Buren (1839-1918)
HOUSE, 52nd General Assembly, 1901-03; representing Chester and. Madison counties; Democrat. Born in Madison County on December 25, 1839; son of Major Robert and Elizabeth (Hanna) Exum. Farmer and cattle breeder, at Carrol, Madison County, where he lived all his life. Married on December 7, 1875, to Sarah Moore (1858-1253), daughter of William and Harriet (King) Moore. Children--Eliza, Martin Van Buren, Jr., Mrs. A. E. Campbell, Fern, Lila, and Gevire Exum (Mrs. Fred Webb). Member of Jackson County Court; bridge commissioner and commissioner of county asylum. Member Jackson County Democrat Executive Committee, 10th Civil District. Member Missionary Baptist Church; Mason. Vice-president, West
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Tennessee Agricultural Association. In Civil War: Private in Company O, 6th Regiment, Cheatham's Brigade of Tennessee Volunteers, C.S.A. Captured at Lexington, Alabama, December 1, 1863, and imprisoned at Rock Island, Illinois; paroled and exchanged, March 6, 1865. Died at Jackson on May 24, 1918; buried in Jackson.
Sources: Williams, Historic Madison, 495; Widow's Pension Request #1023; Jackson Sun, Whig & Tribune, March 18, 1876; Jackson Sun, August 17, 1877, April 25, 1880; October 6, 1886; November 15, 1953; U.S. Census, 1850, 1880, Madison County; Tennessee Vital Statistics, Death Certificate, Vol. 40, p. 720.
Fulghum, Eugene (c. 1869-?)
SENATE, 60th General Assembly, 1917-19; representing Chester, Henderson, and Madison counties; Democrat. Born in Mississippi c. 1869, exact place and date not given; no information on names of parents, extent of schooling, names of wife and children, if any. In insurance business at Jackson, Madison County. Member Methodist Church. No information on later life, date or place of death.
Source: Public Acts of Tennessee, 1917.
Futtrell, James Green (1842-1919)
HOUSE, 56th and 57th General Assemblies, 1909-13; representing Madison County; Democrat. Born in Madison County en January 31, 1842; son of Alexander and Ellsie (Gay) Futtrell, natives of North Carolina. No information on extent of schooling. Farmer; lifelong resident of 16th Civil District, Madison County. In Civil War: Enlisted May 1861 as a private in. Company C, 6th Infantry Regiment, Cheatham' s Brigade of Tennaaee Volunteers, C.S.A. Wounded in Battle of Atlanta and incapacitated for service, but was not discharged until the surrender at Qreensboro, North Carolina, in 1865. Married on September 5, 1866, to Martha Ann Lewis; children--Ella, Mary Ann, James G., Jr., Sarah Ola, John H., Edgar, and Gennie Futtrell. Member of Madison County Court; revenue collector for the 16th Civil District, 1880. Member Methodist Church. Died at his home on January 14, 1917; buried in Antioch Cemetery, Madison County.
Sources: Williams, Historic Madison, 495; Jackson Sun, April 15, 1880; January 6, 1886; September 12, 1908; Pension Request #15001; U.S. Census, 1850, 1880, Madison County; Tennessee Vital Statistics, Death Certificate #35-370.
Gilmore, Milton Brown (1866-1906)
SENATE, 50th and 51st General Assemblies, 1897-1901; representing Henderson and Madison counties; Democrat. Born in Mobile, Alabama, on April 27, 1866; son of Dr. John Taylor and Elizabeth Jane (Brown) Taylor. Educated in Jackson, Madison County; Vanderbilt University, Nashville; and at Columbia University Law School. Occupation: attorney at Jackson. Married at some undetermined date after legislative service; name of wife and children not given. Episcopalian. Member Jackson-Madison Bar association; Jackson Lodge #192, B.P.O.E., Conversation Club of Jackson. Died in Jackson on February 27, 1906; buried in Riverside Cemetery, Jackson. Grandson of Judge Milton Brown, sometime member U.S. House of Representatives.
Sources: Nashville Banner, December 1, 1898; Madison County Tombstone Inscriptions, 60, 61; information supplied by James C. Vann, Jackson.
Goodrich, Billy Jack (1931-)
SENATE, 83rd General Assembly, 1963-65; representing Henderson and Madison counties; Democrat. Born in Jackson, Madison County, on January 30, 1931; son of Willard and Bessie Askew Goodrich. Educated in public schools of Madison County; University of Tennessee, Martin; and Cumberland University Law School, Lebanon, Wilson County. Attorney in Jacks6n. Military service, 1954-56, U.S. Army. Married in Shelby County on September 11, 1955, to Carolyn Bennett, daughter of Milton and Marion (Hill) Bennett; children--James Milton and Clifford Aaron Goodrich. Past president, young Democratic Club; Member of Methodist Church. Member Tennessee and Jackson-Madison bar associations; Mason; Shiner; Scottish Rite, 32nd degree; Moose; Elks Lodge; finance chairman, West Tennessee Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, 1963-64. Address: (business) 307 Main Street, Jackson; (residence) Route 4, Humboldt, 38343.
Sources: Legislative Council files; information supplied by self.
Greer, John C. (c.1823-1871)
HOUSE, 30th General Assembly, 1853-55; representing Madison County; Whig. Born in Tennessee c.1823; exact place and date; names of parents; and extent of schooling not given. Occupation: farmer in the 11th Civil District of Madison County. Married to Susan, maiden name not given; children--James, John, Mary J., Ella, Thomas, and William Greer.
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Delegate to Whig State Convention in 1857. Ruling elder in Presbyterian Church. Removed to Collin County, Texas, in 1869; died there on October 8, 1871.
Sources: Jackson Sun, Whig & Tribune, November 4, 1871; Jackson Sun, The Tennessee Whig, April 10, 1857; June 7, 1861; U.S. Census, 1850, 1860, Madison County.
Harris, Robert A. (?-?)
HOUSE, 55th General Assembly, 1907-09; representing Madison County; party affiliation not shown. No information has been found on Representative Harris other than he was a carpenter and that he lived in Jackson, Madison County, at the time of his legislative service.
Sources: Public Acts of Tennessee, 1907; Jackson City Directory, 1891, p. 130; 1900, p. 119.
Haskell, William Turner (1818-1859)
HOUSE, 24th General Assembly, 1841-43; representing Madison County; 1st Session only; replaced by John Boiling Cross; Whig. Born in Murfreesboro, Rutherford County, on July 21, 1818; son of Joshua and Nancy (Ready) Haskell. Educated by private tutors and in public schools; three years at the University of Nashville. Left school in 1836 and fought in the Seminole War under General Armstrong's command. After the war studied law under his father; admitted to the bar in 1838 and began practice in Jackson, Madison County. Lawyer, poet, eloquent speaker and orator, soldier, song-writer, and politican. In Mexican War: Colonel of 1st Brigade, 2nd Regiment, Tennessee Volunteers. Married to Parolee Porter (1830-1893); children--Shappard Porter, William C., Joshua Viola, and Anna B. Haskell. Presidential elector for Henry Clay in 1844. Elected as a Whig to the 30th Congress and served from March 4, 1847 to March 3, 1849. Unsuccessful candidate for Governor in 1859. Member of Methodist Church; I.O.O.F. Died in Hopkinsville, Christian County, Kentucky, on March 12, 1959; buried in Riverside Cemetery, Jackson. Nephew of Charles Ready, sometime member of Tennessee General Assembly and of U.S. House of Representatives.
Sources: Caldwell, Bench and Bar, 236-4; Moore, Tennessee, The Volunteer State, II, 140; BiographicaI Directory of the American Congress, 1774-1949, p. 1280; U.S. Census, 1850, Madison County; File in Manuscript Unit, Tennessee State Library.
Haynes, Robert Walter (1840-1905)
HOUSE, 43rd and 44th General Assemblies, 1883-87; representing Madison County, Democrat. Born in Washington County on August 21, 1840; son of Landon Carter and Eleanor M. (Powell) Haynes, of Carter County. Attended Emory and Henry College, Virginia, for three years; graduated from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, in 1862; read law with his father. Admitted to the bar in 1867 and began practice in Memphis. Married (1st) in Knoxville, Knox County, on January 12, 1863, to Drucie Powell; children--Nellie, Landon C. (dau.), Robert P., Walter L., and Drucie Taylor Haynes. Married (2nd) in 1897 to Mrs. Annie W. (Harris) Glass, daughter of the Rev, W. T. Harris, and great-neice of Governor Isham G. Harris, no children. In Civil War: Entered Confederate Army in 1861 and served under Major Glover until failing health forced him to return home. After graduation and marriage he reentered the service and assisted in raising a company for Colonel Fain's Regiment; served as aide on staff of General James E. Raines, 11th Brigade of Stevenson's Division. In Bragg's Kentucky Campaign; adjutant to 62nd North Carolina Infantry; aide to Brigadier General Alfred E. Jackson with rank of lieutenant, Near the close of the war he was breveted major and appointed assistant adjutant-general to General John C. Vaughan. After law practice in Memphis, he returned to Jackson and continued practice there. Member Methodist Church. Master Mason, Jackson Lodge #45; Royal Arch Mason, Clinton Chapter #9; Knight Templar, Jackson Commandery; Knights of Pythias; Knight of Honor; Knight of the Golden Rule; Knight of Ladies Honor; past Grand Sachem of the Improved Order of Red Men, Died in Madison County on April 6, 1905; buried in Riverside Cemetery, Jackson. Son of Landon Carter Haynes, grandson of Joseph Powell, sometime members Tennessee General Assembly; nephew of Robert L. Taylor, Governor of Tennessee.
Sources: Goodspeed, History of Madison County, 869; Whitson, Personal Sketches, 90; History of Jackson Lodge #45, F. & A. M., 186, 319; Martin Mail, December 10, 1897; Jackson Sun, March 24, 1904; May15, 1927; Madison County Tombstone Inscriptions, 4.
Henderson, Gid Taylor (c.1871-?)
HOUSE, 66th General Assembly, 1929-31; representing Madison County, Democrat. Born c.1871 in Madison County; exact date; names of parents, extent of schooling; names of wife and children, if any, not located. Representative Henderson operated a transfer company in Jackson, Madison County. He
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was a :Methodist;W.O.W.; ,and Master Mason, from which he withdrew in 1945. No further record.
Sources: Public Acts of Tennessee, 1929; History of the Jackson Lodge #45, .F. & A. M., 86, 100, 107; information from Grand Lodge, Nashville.
Herron, John S. (c.1803-?)
HOUSE, 27th General Assembly, 1847-49; representing Madison County; Whig. Born in Tennessee c. 1803; exact place and date; names of parents; and extent of schooling not located. Apparently the son of Andrew and Sarah Herron (as John S. Herron was executor of Andrew Herron's estate, from which he received $40,000). Farmer in the Spring Creek community, 12th Civil District of Madison County. Married to Alvira Woods, daughter of W. H. Woods; he may have been married a second time; if so the name of the second is unknown. Children--Leir, Hester Ann, John W., Emily Jane, Margaret, John McNeil, and Nancy Herron. No further information on Representative Herron.
Sources: Madison County Court Minutes, Vol. 5, 1840-48, pt. 2, pp. 582, 586; Madison County Chancery Court Records, Book I, (1846-54, pp. 15, 41, pt. 2, 164,, 362); Madison County Marriage Records, Loose, pp. 80, 110; U.S. Census, 1850,1860, 1870, Madison County.
Hurt, Absalom DeBerry (1844-1888)
HOUSE, 45th General Assembly, 1887-89; representing Madison County; Democrat. Born in Jackson, Madison County, on March 3, 1844; son of Robert Bailey and Susan Allen (DeBerry) Hurt. Reared and educated in 15th Civil District of Madison County. Progressive farmer; one of the incorporators of Central City Mills. Married to Fannie Guthrie (1844-1888), daughter of Andrew Guthrie. Two daughters--Rebecca (Mrs. W.T. Nelson) and Fannie Hurt. Justice of the peace, 1878; revenue commissioner until legislative term; appointed by the President to the Court of the Fiji Islands, 1885. In Civil War: in Captain W. C. Penn's Company of the 6th Regiment, Cheatham' s Brigade of Tennessee Volunteers, C.S.A. Died on July 30, 1888, place not stated; buried in Riverside Cemetery, Jackson. Son of Robert Bailey Hurt, sometime member Tennessee General Assembly.
Sources: Williams, Historic Madison, 496; Jackson Journal, The Forked Deer Blade, March 28, 1885; February 6, 1886; Jackson Sun, November 4, 1878;
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July 7, 1886; April 1, 1928; Madison County Tombstone Inscriptions, 62; U.S. Census, 1850, 1860, Madison County.
Hurt, Robert Bailey (1821-1881)
HOUSE, 33rd and 39th General Assemblies, 1859-61, 1875-77; representing Madison County in 33rd; Hardeman, Haywood, and Madison in 39th; Whig; later Democrat. Born in Halifax County, Virginia, in 1821; exact date not known; son of the Rev, Robert Bailey Hurt. Removed with his father to Carroll County in 1829; at the age of fourteen he removed to Nashville, Davidson County, and engaged in merchantile pursuits; returned to Carroll County and a few years later removed to Jackson, Madison County, where he lived thereafter. Married in 1843 to Susan Allen DeBerry, daughter of Matthias DeBerry. Children--Absalom DeBerry, Milton Brown, Elizabeth, Rebecca, and Robert A. Hurt. In Civil War: Chief of transportation under General Beauregard; said also to have served in 6th Regiment of Cheatham' s Brigade of Tennessee Volunteers. Farmer and railroad promoter. After the Civil War he dealt in stocks and bonds; instrumental in bringing the Illinois Central and Memphis and Ohio railroads through Jackson. Member of the board of West Tennessee College. Trustee of Madison County Female Institute. One of the incorporators of Jackson Cotton Mills. Chairman of Jackson County Democratic Executive Committee; had earlier been a Whig and was a delegate to State Republican Convention in 1857. Commissioner of the Agricultural Bureau for West Tennessee, 1872; president, West Tennessee Agricultural Association, 1876. President of the Soldiers Aid Society during the Civil War. Died in Jackson on March 31, 1881; place of burial not stated. Father of Absalom DeBerry Hurt and brother-in-law of Alexander Jackson, sometime members Tennessee General Assembly.
Sources: Jackson Sun, January 9, 1877; The Whig and Tribune, February 17, April 26, 1872; March 18, 1876; The TennesseeWhig, April 10, 1857; Confederate Military History, VIII, 346; Williams, Historic Madison, 147, 163, 165-66, 224, 357, 490, 496; Goodspeed, History of Madison County, 806, 807, 813, 876; U.S. Census, 1850, 1860, Madison County.
Jackson, Alexander (1805-1879)
HOUSE, 28th and 29th General Assemblies, 1849-53; representing Madison County; Whig. Born in Chesterfield County, Virginia, on February 22, 1805; names of parents unknown; orphaned at an early age. Studied medicine; graduated from
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the University of Pennsylvania in 1823. In 1827 he removed to Paris County; practiced medicine there until 1840 when he removed to Jackson, Madison County. After retirement from the medical profession in 1847 he devoted himself to farming. One of the moving spirits in the first West Tennessee Fair; made speeches to promote railroads. Trustee of West Tennessee College, Married (1st) to Mary W. Hurt, daughter of the Rev. Robert Hurt; children--Howell E., William Hicks, and Mary Jackson; married (2nd) on January 28, 1843, to Susan A. Freeman, daughter of Major James F. Freeman; children--James F., Milton, Martha, and Olivia F. Jackson (Mrs. W.C. Penn). Married (3rd) in Dyersburg, Dyer County, on October 22, 1850, to Mrs. Eunice B. Fenner; chifren--Samuel Miller and Robert Turner Jackson. Mayor of Jackson, 1854-56. Charter member of Tennessee Medical Society; Farm Bureau, being a delegate to the U.S. Agricultural Society in Washington, D.C. Died in Jackson on January 20, 1879; buried in Riverside Cemetery, Jackson. Son-in-law of Robert Bailey Hurt, sometime member Tennessee General Assembly; father of Howell E. Jackson, sometime member Tennessee General Assembly, U.S. Senator, and U.S. Supreme Court Justice, and of William Hicks Jackson, who married Selena Harding and became the owner of the famed Belle Meade plantation and stud farm, Nashville.
Sources: Jackson Weekly Sun, June 17, 1898; Madison County Marriage Records, 1838-47, p. 121; Jackson Whig and Tribune, August 31, 1872; March 22, 1873; West Tennessee Whig, March 9, 1849; March 6, 1851; Williams, Historic Madison, 144, 183, 251, 278, 530; Speer, Prominent Tennesseans, 446-50; Madison County Tombstone Inscriptions, 32, 65, 66; U.S. Census, 1850, Madison County.
Jackson, Howell Edmunds (1632-1895)
HOUSE, 42nd General Assembly, 1881-83; representing Madison County; Whig, later Democrat. (Resigned on February 11, 1881; replaced by Hugh C. Anderson). Born in Paris, Henry County, on April 8, 1832; son of Dr. Alexander and Mary W. (Hurt) Jackson. Graduated from West Tennessee College, 1849; studied two years at the University of Virginia, Charlottsville, 1850-52; Cumberland University Law School, Lebanon, Wilson County, graduating in 1856. Began law practice in Jackson, Madison County. Married (1st) to Sophie. Mallory, daughter of David B. and Ellen (Shepherd) Mallory; children--Manice, Wallace, and Howell E. Jackson, Jr. Married (2nd) to Mary Elizabeth Harding, daughter of William Giles Harding, of "Belle Meade," Nashville; children--Bessie and Louise Jackson. In 1858 he removed to Memphis and formed a law partnership; returned. to Jackson after the death of his first wife. Incorporated the Jackson Ice Company in 1880; charter member of the Jackson Building
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and Loan Association; vice-president of the First National Bank. Resigned his seat in the legislature, 1881, to accept appointment to the U.S. Senate. In 1886 resigned his Senate seat to become the first judge of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Cincinnati, In 1893 President Benjamin Harrison appointed him as Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, which position he held until failing health necessitated his retirement in 1894. Member of Methodist Church, Died in Nashville, Davidson County, on August 8, 1895; buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Nashville. Son of Dr. Alexander Jackson, nephew of Robert B. Hurt sometime members Tennessee General Assembly.
Sources: Jackson, West Tennessee Whig, April 14, 1886; Jackson Whig and Tribune, March 22,1873; August 22, 1874; Goodspeed, History of Madison County, 812, 813, 814; Speer, Prominent Tennesseans,824-25; Dictionary of American Biography, IX, 554; Biographical Directory of the American Congress, 1774-1949, p. 1362-63; U.S. Census, 1880, Madison County.
Johnson, Albert Sidney (1866-1959)
HOUSE, 58th General Assembly, 1913-15; representing Madison·County; Democrat. Born in Madison County on December 23, 1866; son of David A. and Margaret A. (Marchison) Johnson. Educated in public schools of Madison County; Union University, Jackson, Madison County; and Cumberland University Law School, Lebanon, Wilson County. Occupation: farmer and teacher; taught school in Jackson where he lived most of his life, Married in 1898 to Delesline Neely; one son--William A. Johnson. Member of the Madison County School Board for thirty years; grand jury foreman for sixteen years; president emeritus, Madison County Fair Association. Member of Presbyterian Church; member Jackson Lodge #192, B.P.O.E., being the oldest member in the United States at the time of his death, Member of draft board for Madison County during World War II. Died in Nashville, Davidson County, on July 12, 1959; buried in family cemetery at Madison Hall, Madison County.
Sources: Williams, Historic Madison, 351; Jackson Sun, July 13, 1959; Nashville Tennessean, July 13, 1959; Tennessee Vital Statistics, Death Certificate #16537.
Johnson, Frank Lee (1899-1947)
HOUSE, 65th General Assembly, 1927-29; representing Madison County; Democrat. Born in Diamond Grove community, Madison County, on November 3, 1899; son of R. M. K. and Martha
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(Williams) Johnson. Attended public schools of Madison County; Union University, Jackson, Madison County; received LL.B. degree from Cumberland University Law School, 1925. Lawyer and jurist. Taught school in early life and was principal at Pinson, Madison County. After studying law practiced in Jackson until his death. Married on May 29, 1920, to Irma Johnson; no children listed. Judge of Madison County Court; judge of the 12th Circuit from 1934 until death. In World War I, no details of service given. Deacon and Sunday School teacher in Presbyterian Church; Mason; Elks Lodge; Exchange Club. Died in Jackson on July 16, 1947; buried in Hollywood Cemetery, Jackson.
Sources: Williams, Historic Madison, 512, 526; History of Jackson Lodge #45, F. & A. M., 315; Gilium, Prominent Tennesseans, 99; Jackson Sun, July 16, 1947.
Keith, John Yancey (1838-1919)
SE&ATE, 43rd and 44th General Assemblies, 1883-1887; representing Henderson and Madison counties; Democrat. Born in Lincoln County on May 25, 1838; son of John Hamilton and Letiticia (Dora) Keith. Studied law. Occupation: farmer and businessman at Jackson, Madison County. Owned and edited the Jackson Dispatch. Engaged in real estate and collections in Jackson, 1865-75, after which he retired to his farm. In Civil War: Private, lieutenant, and captain, 9th Mississippi Infantry, C.S.A., 1861-65. Married in Corinth, Mississippi, on March 4, 1862, to Virginia Caviness. Children--Letiticia, John Dehunter, Thomas Watson, Wallace Ney, William Chester, Charles S., and Charlotte Royster Keith (Mrs. Walter M. Sharp). Member Cumberland Presbyterian Church; president of the Agricultural Association of West Tennessee. Died in Jackson on January 4, 1919; buried in Riverside Cemetery, Jackson. Grandfather of Morgan Keith Short, sometime member Tennessee General Assembly.
Sources: Whitson, Personal Sketches, 40; Jackson Journal, Miscellaneous Papers, The Forked Deer Blade, January 7, 1888; U.S. Census, 1880, Madison County; information supplied by descendant, Mrs. James E. Thompson, Mercer Island, Washington.
King, D. Hamner (1835-1892)
HOUSE, 36th General Assembly, 1869-71; representing Madison County; Democrat. Born in Williamson County on February 14, 1835; son of George P. and Lucinda T. (Gooch) King. Educated
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in Williamson County. In 1849 he removed to Carroll County where he farmed for three and one-half years; went to Madison County in 1852, and to Jackson, Madison County, in 1855. In 1856 he began a retail liquor business, known as "King's House for Recreation and Pleasure." Married on September 8, 1858, to Sarah Cecelia Wilson (1838-1914); children--John D., Charles H., and George Thomas King. In Civil War: First in the Quartermaster Department; then in Forrest's Cavalry from May 4, 1864, until parole at Gainesville, Alabama, May 5, 1865, After the war he resumed his saloon business. He also conducted a feed and commission business in the 1880's; owned a large flouring mill and cotton gin; two plantations in Madison County, and raised stud horses. In 1874 he built King's Opera House and operated it until it was destroyed by fire in 1883. Mayor of Jackson, 1873, 1875-76; many years a member of Jackson city council; chief of the Fire Department, 1884. Member of I.O.O.F.: Madison County Agricultural and Mechanical Association. Died in Jackson on October 14, 1892; buried in Riverside Cemetery, Jackson.
Sources: Jackson Journal, Misc. Papers, The Forked Deer Blade, July 12, 1884; Jackson Whig and Tribune, April 26, 1872; Williams, Historic Madison, 525; Widow' s Pension Request #416; Madison County Tombstone Inscriptions, 24; Goodspeed, History of Madison County, 880.
Kyle, Gayle H. (c.1807-post 1835)
SENATE, 27th and 28th General Assemblies, 1847-514 representing Haywood, Lauderdale, Madison, and Tipton counties; party affiliation not shown. Born in Hawkins County c.1807, exact date not given; son of Thomas and Sarah Kyle. Extent of schooling not known. In 1832 he removed to Madison County, and bought land in the 10th Civil District, Farmer and merchant. He was twice married. The name of his first wife is not known; children--Mary C., Sarah C., Thomas E., and Eliza A. Kyle. He was married (2nd) on July 25, 1843, to Helen M. Perry; one son--Gayle H. Kyle, Jr. Sheriff of Madison County, 1840-46. Member Presbyterian Church. Died after 1853, date and place not indicated.
Sources: Madison County Marriage License Bock No. 2, 1838-47, p. 130; Williams, Historic Madison, 525; Goodspeed, History of Madison County, 806; Ray, Tennessee Cousins, 88; Burns, Hawkins County Wills, 1786-1851, p. 36; U.S. Census, 1830, Hawkins County; 1850, Jackson County.
Lasley, Thomas Raymond (1891-1958)
HOUSE, 79th and 80th General Assemblies, 1955-59; representing Madison County; Democrat. Born in Fayette County on March 29, 1891; son of Samuel Seymour and Cora Lee (Smith) Lasley. Attended public schools of Fayette County. Occupations: newspaper business, 1908-25; commercial printer, 1925-27; real estate and mortgage loans, 1927-58. Married to Annie Day Kirby, daughter of Ed and Hettie Ann (Burham) Kirby, on May 28, 1914, in Madison County. Children--Raymond Kirby, Annie Lee, Eleanor, Seymoui, William Joseph, and Sarah Frances Lasley. Member Methodist Church; Sunday School superintendent. Member Knights of Pythias; B.P.O.E.; Mason, Scottish Rite; Shiner; Lions Club. Occasional contributor of Jackson Sun and Memphis Commercial Appeal. Died in Jackson on March 13, 1958; buried in Hollywood Cemetery, Jackson.
Sources: Dyer, Library of American Lives, 858; Legislative Council files; Jackson Sun, March 13, 1958; information supplied by self; Tennessee Vital Statistics, Death Certificate #7664.
Long, Thomas Crawford, Sr. (1857-1929)
SENATE, 45th, 46th, 47th, and 61st General Assemblies, 1887-93, 1919-21; representing Henderson and Madison counties in the first three assemblies; Chester, Henderson, and Madison in the 61st; Democrat. Born in Tennessee, exact place not stated, on January 22, 1857; son of James B. and Annie (McGee) Long. Attended Kentucky Military Academy. Occupation: farmer in Madison County. Married, but name of wife not given; children--Mrs. John Wisdom, Mrs. Christine Gresham, Mrs. F. C. Quereau, and Thomas Crawford Long, Jr. Chief Clerk of the State Senate, 1876-86; Madison County tax assessor, 1886; chairman of the county court, 1893-1902. Member Methodist Church; member "Settlers of 61." Died in Jackson on January 22, 1929; buried in Riverside Cemetery, Jackson.
Sources: Nashville Tennessean, January 23, 1929; West Tennessee Whig, October 31, 1885; January 6, 1886; January 22, 1929; Williams, Historic Madison, 525; Nashville Daily American, January 6, 1887; Tennessee Vital Statistics, Death Certificate #2388.
Lyon, James S. (c.1802-c.1864)
HOUSE, 23rd General Assembly, 1839-41; representing Madison County; Whig. Born in Tennessee c.1802, exact place and date not given; names of parents and extent of schooling not located. Settled three miles northwest of Jackson, Madison County, in 1825; wealthy plantation owner; breeder of horses. Director in Union Bank of Jackson. Married to Martha D. Woodfolk, daughter of William Woodfolk, of Jackson County. Children--Elizabeth, William Wade, and Soul Lyon. Justice of the peace, 1827-29, 1832-33; deputy sheriff, 1835-38; sheriff, 1842-44. Member Methodist Church. Died c.1864, exact date and place unknown.
Sources: Jackson, The Tennessee Whig, April 10, 1857; Ray, Tennessee Cousins, 737; Williams, Historc Madison, 172, 213, 214, 242, 325, 524; Jackson County Wills.
McClaren, Robert Smith (1858-1936)
HOUSE, 59th and 60th General Assemblies, 1915-19; representing Madison County; Democrat. Born at McLemoresville, Carroll County, on February 15, 1858; son of James and ___________ (Alexander) McClaren. Attended public schools of Carroll and Gibson counties; became a registered pharmacist. Moved to Jackson, Madison County, at the age of twenty and entered the drug business in which he remained fifty years. In business in Milan, Gibson County, 1874-80; in McKenzie, Carroll County in 1881; and then returned to Jackson. Married to Annette Walsh, daughter of William K. and Talitha (Anderson) Walsh; children--James Walsh, Annette, and Jane McClaren. Member Methodist Church, steward and trustee. Member of state druggist association; Knights of Pythias for fifty years, being Grand Chancellor, 1898-99, and delegate to state convention, 1885. Died in Jackson on January 30, 1936; buried in Riverside Cemetery, Jackson.
Sources: Jackson Sun, January 30, 1936; Jackson Daily Whig August 11, 1893; Moore, Tennessee, The Volunteer State, III, 460; Blake, Lawmakers and Public Men of Tennessee, 132; Williams, Historic Madison, 261; Tennessee Vital Statistics, Death Certificate #4253.
McCollum, Francis Pope (c.1861-?)
HOUSE, 53rd General Assembly, 1901-03; representing Madison County; Democrat. Born c.1861, exact date and place not stated; son of R. D. and Rosannah McCollum, both natives of Tennessee. Attended Bethel College at McKenzie, Carroll County; University of Tennessee; took a business course at Eastman's in Poughkeepsie, New York. Occupation: farmer; his family were among the first settlers of the community of Beach Bluff, Madison County. Unmarried at time of legislative service. Member of Madison County Court; elder in Presbyterian Church. No additional information.
Sources: Williams, Historic Madison, 384; Nashville American, January 1, 1901; U.S. Census, 1880, Madison County.
McIver, Duncan (c.1778-1835)
HOUSE, 16th and 17th General Assemblies, 1825-29; representing Carroll, Dyer, Gibson, Haywood, Henderson, Humphreys, Madison, and Perry counties in 16th Assembly; Haywood, Henderson, and Madison in the 17th; SENATE, 19th General Assembly, 1831-33; representing counties of Fayette, Hardeman, Haywood, Madison, Shelby, and Tipton. Born c.1778, probably in Moore County, North Carolina; names of parents and extent of schooling not given. Among the first settlers in Madison County, in the Cotton Gin Grove community, about eight miles from Jackson. Built a mill on his land on Jones Creek; purchased two of the first lots offered for sale in Jackson. He was married to Catherine, maiden name not given; four sons, names not found, and one daughter, Margaret McIver. One of the first county commissioners; justice of the peace; member of first Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 1825. Member Presbyterian Church. In 1829 or 1830 he removed to Tipton County and following his legislative service, but before 1835, he removed to Tallahatchie County, Mississippi; died there on September 22, 1835.
Sources: West Tennessee Historical Society's Papers, VIII, 8-10; American Historical Magazine, VIII, 334; U.S. Census, 1790, North Carolina; 1830, Tipton County; Madison County Minute Book, 1833-40, p. 584; Roberson, History of Moore County, North Carolina, 172; Williams, Historic Madison, 4, 32, 7333; Raleigh Register, November 3, 1835; information supplied by J. D. McIver, Dallas, Texas.
McKnight, John Thomas (1934-)
HOUSE, 85th General Assembly, 1967-69; representing Gibson and Madison counties; Democrat. Born in Madison County on July 8, 1934; son of James William and Frances Estelle (Ledbetter) McKnight. Educated in Madison County public schools; attended Lambuth College, Jackson, Madison County. Occupation: general contractor and salesman. Married at Henderson, Chester County, on July 19, 1953, to Willa Dean Harris, daughter of John Durward and Versie May Harris. Children--John Thomas, Cindy, and William Douglas McKnight. Captain in Tennessee National Guard; has attended several service schools. Member of Baptist Church; Chamber of Commerce; Jaycees; Elks (Exalted Ruler); Fraternal Order of Police; Armour Association; National Guard Associations of Tennessee and the United States; American Cancer Society; Veterans of Foreign Wars. Address: (business), P.O. Box 854; (residence), 84 Shady Lane, Jackson.
Sources: Legislative Council files; information supplied by self.
McLean, Charles D. (1795-1881)
HOUSE, 19th General Assembly, 1831-33; representing Haywood, Henderson, and Madison counties; party affiliation not shown. Born in 1795, exact date unknown, in Albemarle County, Virginia; son of Dr. Lachlan McLean, a native of Scotland, and his wife Sarah Cabourelle, of French origin. Occupation: journalist. In 1815 removed to Clarksville, Montgomery County, where he published the Clarksville Recorder, 1815-20; propriator of the Nashville T t Began the first newspaper in Jackson, Madison County, the Jackson Gazette, which he published until 1830, when it became outhern Statesman under a new owner. Following his legislative service he removed to Memphis, Shelby County, and lived on his plantation there. Married in Davidson County on December 8, 1831, to Mrs. Jane Elizabeth (Love) Smith, (c.1808-1880), widow of Calvin M. Smith. Children--Thomas D., William L., James M. and Susan L. McLean (Mrs. Hugh Dunlap Greer). Chairman of Board of Commissioners for Jackson, 1831. Roman Catholic. Helped organize Shelby County Historical Society, f- which he was president for seven years. In War of 1812, but no details given. Died in Memphis on February 15, 1881. Father-in-law of Hugh Dunlap Greer, sometime member Tennessee General Assembly.
Sources: Keating, History of Memphis, I, 177n; Williams, Historic Madison, 213, 263, 264, 265, 310; Goodspeed, History of Madison County, 814; Madison Countyr Circuit Court Minutes, No. 2, 1828-36, Pt. I, p. 234; Davidson Count Marriage Records, No. 1, 1789-1837, pp. 327, 409; U.S. Census, 1850, Shelby County; Confederate Military History, VIII, 605- 606; Memphis Avalanche, July 22,1880.
McLemore, Eugene Brooks, Jr. (1920-)
SENATE, 78th, 80th, and 81st General Assemblies, 1953-55, 1957-61; representing Chester, Henderson and Madison counties; Democrat. Born at Medina, Gibson County, on April 7, 1920; son of Eugene Brooks and Nona Perkins (Buchannan) McLemore. Attended public schools of Madison County; Union University, Jackson, Madison County; received LL.B. degree in 1950 from Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Davidson County. Practicing attorney in Jackson. Staff sergeant, Corps of Engineers, World War II. Married at Corinth, Alcorn County, Mississippi, on July 20, 1942, to Juanita Elizabeth Meeks, daughter of Hardy L. and Eva (McDade) Meeks; no children. Member Jackson Board of Adjustments and Zoning Appeals; Chancellor, 14th Chancery Division, 1960-date. Member Baptist Church; Sunday School teacher. Member Alpha Tau Omera; and Phi Alpha Delta fraternities; B.P.O.E.; American Legion; Veterans of Foreign Wars. Address: (business), 105 Lawyers Building; (residence), 30 Laurel Lane, Jackson.
Sources: Legislative Council files; Tennessee Blue Book, 1961-62, p. 174; 1967-68, p. 185; Carroll Democrat, January 22, 1954; information supplied by self.
Martin, Andrew L. (?-?)
HOUSE, 18th, 21st, and 22nd General Assemblies; 1829-31, 1835-39; representing Haywood, Henderson, and Madison counties in 18th Assembly; Madison alone in 21st and 22nd;- Whig. Born in Davidson County; no information available on date of birth, names of parents, wife and children, if any, or extent of education. A criminal lawyer of outstanding ability; orator of note. Began law practice in Jackson, Madison County, in 1825; trustee of Madison Male Academy, chartered in 1834; instrumental in bringing a branch of the state bank to Nashville. Prosecuting attorney for the John A. Murrell trial in Jackson. Moved to Holly Springs, Mississippi, between 1840 and 1850. Member Episcopal Church. Referred to as "Major" Martin, but no record of military duty found. No further information.
Sources: Goodspeed, History of Madison County, 809, 827; Williams, Historic Madison, 241, 275, 303, 320, 325-25; American Historical Magazine, VII, 337.
Mays, Rufus Adolphus (1839-1914)
HOUSE, 49th General Assembly, 1895-97; representing Madison County; Democrat. Born at Pinson, Madison County, on January 18, 1839; son of James G. and Catherine (Fulbright) Mays. Educated in local schools; largely self-educated. Farmer, land surveyor, and cashier of Pinson Savings Bank. In Civil War: Lieutenant in Captain C. W. Freeland's Company, 6th Regiment, Cheatham's Brigade, Tennessee Volunteers, C.S.A. Married (1st) to Nancy Davis and (2nd) to Maggie C. Frank. Children, all apparently by first wife--Beatrice Kirby, James Grayson, Thomas Bruce, Vesta Davis (Mrs. John Haynes), and Robert Lee Mays. Member Methodist Church, leader and chairman of stewards. Worshipful Master Pinson Lodge #222, Masonic Order, treasurer for twenty years. Died at Pinson on March 21, 1914; buried in Mays Cemetery there.
Sources: History of Jackson Lodge #45 F. & A. M., 40, 41, 45; Goodspeed, History of Madison County, 826; William, Historic Madison, 494; U.S. Census, 1880, Madison County; information supplied by granddaughter, Mrs. Vesta Mays Price, Jackson.
Madlin, Robertson (c. 1840-?)
HOUSE, 35th General Assembly, 1867-69; (replacing William G. Cockrill, whose seat he contested); representing Madison County; party affiliation not shown. Born c. 1840 in Tennessee, exact date and place not given; son of Gray B. and Malinda Medlin. Representative Medlin was a farmer of the 12th Civil District of Madison County. No other information has been located; does not appear to have been married.
Sources: Madison County Court Minutes, Vol. 6, 1849-53, p 7 787; Madison Chancery Court Minute Book, No. 1, pp. 166, 180, 198; U.S. Census, 1850, 1860, 1870, Madison County.
Midyett, James A. (1880-1961)
HOUSE, 68th, 71st, and 73rd General Assemblies, 1933-35, 1939-41, 1943-45; representing Madison County; Democrat. Born in Madison County on November 1, 1880; son of James A. and Amelia (Vann) Midyett. Educated in public schools of Madison County. Married on December 10, 1912, to Ruth Batchlor; one son--Thomas Earle Midyett. Farmer, merchant, cattleman, businessman. For forty years he operated a general merchandise
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store and cotton gin; in business with his son after 1948. Active in local operation of Federal Land Bank, president for fifteen years; active in Madison County Farm Bureau, serving on the Board of Directors. Member Baptist Church; deacon for fifty years, church treasurer and Sunday School teacher. Member Knights of Pythias. Died in Jackson, Madison County, on October 28, 1961; buried in Hollywood Cemetery, Jackson. Father of Thomas Earle Midyett, sometime member Tennessee General Assembly.
Sources: Memphis Commercial Appeal, October 29, 1961; Jackson Sun, October 29, 1961.
Midyett, Thomas Earle (1918-)
HOUSE, 82nd, 83rd, and 84th General Assemblies, 1961-67; representing Madison County; Democrat. Born in Madison County on February 8, 1918; son of James A. and Ruth (Batchler) Midyett. Merchant and farmer; director in Jackson State Bank. Married to Dorothy Burchett; children--Thomas Earle and James Henry Midyett. In World War II. Member of school board, 1954-61; member of Constitutional Convention, 1959; Madison County Zoning Appeal Board, 1961-63. Member of Baptist Church; Elks; Farm Bureau, Madison County Boy Scouts; American Legion. Residence: Route #1, Bells Highway,' Jackson. Son of James A. Midyett, sometime member Tennessee General Assembly.
Sources: Legislative Council files; Jackson City Directory, 1967.
Miller, William Blount (c. 1805-?)
HOUSE, 20th General Assembly, 1833-35; representing Haywood, Henderson, and Madison counties; SENATE, 21st General Assembly, 1835-37, 2nd Session (replaced W. H. Henderson); representing Haywood, Madison, and Tipton counties; party affiliation not shown. Born (probably) in Knox County c. 1805; son of Pleasant Moorman and Mary Louisa (Blount) Miller. No information or schooling; but educated for the law. Removed with his father to Jackson, Madison County; married there to Eliza Woodfolk, daughter of William W. and Sarah Woodfolk. One daughter--Sarah Eliza Miller (Mrs. Daniel M. Stephens). County commissioner, 1834; attorney-general of 10th district, 1837-41; Episcopalian. Left Madison County sometime after
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1840; no further record. Son of Pleasant Moorman Miller, sometime member Tennessee General Assembly and U.S. Congressman; grandson of Governor William Blount; brother- in-law of A. B. Bradford and of James S. Lyon, sometime members Tennessee General Assembly.
Sources: Jackson Whig & Tribune, May 18, 1872; Jackson County Wills; Goodspeed History of Madison County, 822; Miller's Manual, 151; biographical form for father, Pleasant M. Miller.
Moss, William Preston (1897-)
SENATE, 68th and 69th General Assemblies, 1933-37; representing Chester, Henderson, and Madison counties; Democrat. Speaker of the Senate, 69th Assembly. Born in Jackson, Madison County, on April 26, 1897; son of W. M. and Mary Peyton (Randolph) Moss. Educated in public schools of Jackson; Vanderbilt University, Nashville, B.A., 1921; LL.B. 1921. Practice of law in Jackson since 1921. In World War I: Corporal in Company H, 310th Infantry, 78th Division. Married in Memphis, Shelby County, on June 29, 1935, to Lutitia Saxon Myers, daughter of Wilson Durham and Mary (McCarroll) Myers. Children--William Preston, Jr., Michael Durham, John Ramsey, and Mary Lutitia Moss (Mrs. Randy Pettigrew). City attorney, 1925-43; member of Constitutional Convention, 1953; special judge of the Court of Appeals, 1937-38. Vestryman, junior warden, and senior warden of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Jackson. Master Mason, Scottish Rite, trustee; past president Chamber of Commerce; president, Tennessee Bar Association, 1960-61; member, Tennessee Law Revision Committee, 1963; president, Jackson-Madison Bar Association, 1943-45. Elks; Rotary; American Legion; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Phi Delta Phi fraternity. Residence: 519 Division Avenue, Jackson.
Sources: Martindale-Hubble Law Directory, 1967, p. 1382-B; History of Jackson Lodge #45 F. & A. M., 92, 245; Williams, Historic Madison, 531; Jackson Sun, June 4, 1933; Jackson Telephone Directory, 1971; information supplied by self.
Murrell, David Lindsay (1856-1895)
HOUSE, 44th General Assembly, 1885-87; representing Henderson and Madison counties; Democrat. Born in Jackson, Madison County, on May 9, 1856; son of Thomas
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and Eliza (Beattie) Murrell. Graduate of West Tennessee College. Merchant; in 1883 took over the business that had belonged to his father and uncle. Married on August 21, 1878, to Leila S. Morgan; children--David Lindsay, Jr., and Mawon M. Murrell. Chairman, Democratic Executive Committee, 1888. Presbyterian. Mason, Jackson Lodge #45. Appointed aide to Governor Robert L. Taylor from the 8th Congressional District with the rank of Colonel, 1887. Died on October 7, 1895; place not given.
Sources: Whitson, Personal Sketches, 58; West Tennessee Whig, August 3, 1887; July 14, 1888; History of Jackson Lodge F. & A. M., 44, 320; Goodspeed, History of Madison County, 814, 889; Jackson Journal, Misc. Papers, The Forked Deer Blade, January 7, 1888.
Neely, Robert Bert (1859-1937)
HOUSE, 63rd, 64th, 65th, 66th, 67th, and 68th General Assemblies, 1923-35; representing Madison County in all sessions; party affiliation not stated. Born in Madison County on January 25, 1859; son of Samuel Neely. Occupation: farmer. Married Mary Alice Groom; no children listed. No other information found on Representative Neely, other than that he died on September 25, 1937; and is buried in Hollywood Cemetery, Jackson.
Sources: Public Acts of Tennessee, 1923-33; Tennessee Vital Statistics, Death Certificate #21301.
Newbern, Thomas H. (1814-1879)
HOUSE, 32nd General Assembly, 1857-59; representing Madison County; SENATE, 34th (Reconstruction) General Assembly, 1865-67, (adjourned session only; replaced David Nunn and in turn was replaced by W. J. McFarland after his resignation of November 17, 1865), representing Haywood, Lauderdale, Madison, and Tipton counties; in 1857 he belonged to the American "Know-Nothing" party; in 1865 was of the conservative group. Born in Bertie County, North Carolina, on June 7, 1814; names of parents not given. Removed to Madison County after 1850; physician and railroad promoter. He was married but name of wife does not appear; children--W. W., Lucille, Thomas H. Newbern, Jr., and three sons whose names are not given. Member of Methodist Church.
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Died at Denmark, Madison County, on September 12, 1897; buried in Southern Methodist Cemetery, Denmark.
Sources: West Tennessee Whig, April 10, 1857; May 12, 181886; Jackson Whig & Tribune, March 30, 1872; Senate Journal, 1865, Adj. Sess., 14-42; U.S. Census, 1860, 1870, Madison County; Tipton family cemetery records, Tennessee State Library.
Nichols. Maurice H. (1913-)
HOUSE, 76th General Assembly, 1949-51; representing Madison County; Democrat. Born in Jackson, Madison County, on February 17, 1913; son of John Gray and Edna Ainsworth (Wilkinson) Nichols. Attended public schools of Madison County; University of the South, Sewanee, Franklin County; the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; and received LL.B. degree from Cumberland University Law School, Lebanon, Wilson County. Practicing lawyer in Jackson 1938-50. In World War II: Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army, 1941-45. Married in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on November 23, 1946, to Virginia Philomene Miller, daughter of A. M. and Mary Tarbol Miller; no children. Member Madison County Democratic Primary Board, 1939-40; Madison County Democratic Executive Committee, 1939-40; Episcopalian. Member American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars; B.P.O.E.: Kappa Sigma fraternity. Since 1950 has resided in Dayton, Ohio, 1909 Doris Drive.
Sources: Public Acts of Tennessee, 1949; information supplied by self.
Parham, William H. (1911-1966)
HOUSE, 72nd and 73rd General Assemblies, 1941-45; representing Madison County; Democrat. Born in Jackson, Madison County, on November 6, 1911; son of John Lee and Annie May Harbison Parham. Attended public schools of Jackson. Began career as motion picture projectionist. Married in Cornith, Mississippi, on December 20, 1931, to Eunice Clanton, daughter of Benjamin Franklin and Sarah (Stark) Clanton; one son--Philip Parham. Member Jackson Housing Authority, 1940-42; secretary, Madison County Election Commission, 1940-48; Member of Madison County Court, 1945; reelected in 1948, 1954, 1960, and 1966. Joined Motion Picture Projectionist Union, Local #639, of Jackson, 1935; served as president, 1936, and secretary, 1937, continued to hold this
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office until death. Elected and served as president of Jackson' s Trade and Labor Council for eight and one-half years; elected and served as vice-president of State Federation of Labor, A.F.L. In 1953 he was appointed Tennessee Commissioner of Labor by Governor Frank C. Clement and served in that capacity in the administrations of Governor Clement and of Governor Buford Ellington. Member Methodist Church; board of Stewards. Elks Lodge #192; Moose Lodge #177. Died in Jackson on August 26, 1966; buried in Ridgecrest Cemetery, Jackson.
Sources: Public Acts of Tennessee, 1914, 1943; Tennessee Blue Book, 1956, p. 93; Jackson Sun, August 26. 1966; Tennessee Vital Statistics, Death Certificate #223467.
Parker, David Hardie (1832-1901)
HOUSE, 48th General Assembly, 1893-95; representing Madison County; Democrat. Born in Anson County, North Carolina, in 1832, exact date not given; son of Henry Sharp and Susan F. (Pinkston) Parker. His family removed to Madison County when he was an infant; lived at Medon all of his life. Attended local schools; in 1850 began the study of medicine; attended Bontonical Medical School in Memphis, Shelby County; graduated in 1853 and began practice at Medan. Physician, farmer, and had an interest in the Bemis Mills. Married in 1853 to Maria Tom Davidson Reeves, daughter of Mauldin and Nancy (Stevenson) Reeves; children--Sarah E. (Mrs. George Lacy), Susan F. (Mrs. William T. Pope), and Henry Parker. Justice of the peace and magistrate of Madison County. In Civil War: Captain of District 2, Madison County "Minute Men," 1861. Member Methodist Church; Mason, Medon Lodge. Died in 1901, exact date not found; presumably at Medon. Brother-in-law of George C. Perkins, sometime member Tennessee General Assembly.
Sources: Jackson, Tennessee Whig, June 7, 1861; Goodspeed, History of Madison County, 893-94; Williams, Historic Madison, 259,339; U.S. Census, 1850, 1860, 1880, Madison County.
Pearson, Jonathan Dudley (1831-1899)
HOUSE, 45th, 46th, and 47th General Assemblies, 1887-1893; representing Henderson and Madison counties in 45th Assembly; Madison alone in 46th and 47th; Democrat.
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Born in Anson County, North Carolina, on January 10, 1831; son of William and Eliza (Williams) Pearson. Removed with his family in 1833 to Henderson County; attended local schools there. Married in Fayette County on December 18, 1851, to Rebecca C. Holland, daughter of William Holland. Nine children--Nannie E. (Mrs. James W., Blackmon), James Christopher, William M., Mary Elizabeth (Mrs. J. R. McCollum), John LeFayette, Seban W., Walter Lester, Deedham Bruce Pearson, and an infant daughter. Farmed in Henderson County until 1867 when he removed to Claybrook, Madison County. Magistrate, 1872 until death; chairman, Madison County Court, 1883-85, 1887, 1889, 1891. Member Cumberland Presbyterian Church. After the death of his wife, in 1885, he moved to Jackson, Madison County, where he died on April 15, 1899. Buried in Brown's Churchyard Cemetery, Jackson.
Sources: H. K. Smith, The Pearson Family, 14-19; Williams, Historic Madison, 525; Madison County Tombstone Inscriptions, 91; Goodspeed, History of Madison County, 843, 894; Chattanooga Times, April 16,1899; information supplied by J. K. Smith, Memphis.
Perkins, George O. (c.1823-?)
HOUSE, 38th General Assembly, 1873-75; representing Madison County; leader of the Radical party. Born in Tennessee c. 1823, exact place and date; names of parents; extent of schooling not located. Farmer at Denmark, Madison County; later moved to Jackson, Madison County. Married on October 9, 1845, to Adeline Reeves, daughter of Mauldin and Nancy (Stevenson) Reeves; children--Helen Marr (Mrs. W. H. Jacobs), William H., Mary, Sophronia, and. John Perkins. Appointed by Governor William O. Brownlow to reorganize the Madison County Court, 1865; sheriff of Madison County, 1865-70, 1876-78. Date and place of death not found. Brother-in-law of David H Parker, sometime member Tennessee General Assembly.
Sources: Jackson Sun, June 25, 1945; Jackson Whig & Tribune, July 18, 1874; Madison County Court Minutes, Vol. 6, 1849-53, p. 160; Goodspeed, History of Madison County, 806; Williams, Historic Madison, 192, 229, 525; Madison County Marriage License Book #2, 1838-47, p. 160; Census, 1850, 1860,1870, Madison County.
Perry, William Albert (1854-1930)
HOUSE, 50th and 62nd General Assemblies, 1879-99, 1921-23; representing Madison County; Democrat. Born in Madison County on July 14, 1854; son of Herbert and Mary (Howlett) July 14, 1854; son of Herbert and Mary (Howlett) Perry. Attended local schools; graduated from Evansville, Indiana, Business College, 1872. Farmer, cotton ginner, and businessman. Married in Nashville, Davidson County, on April 24, 1897, to Carrie Montague Jennings (1849-1965) daughter of Captain Walter Scott and Cordelia (Kindel) Jennings; children--Clyde, Fred C., William Thomas, Gladys Alleen (Mrs. John Pope), Jennings Howlett Hugh, Nell, and Christine Perry. Justice of the peace for forty years; assistant Commissioner of Labor, 1898-1910. Deacon in Baptist Church; W.O.W. Died at his home near Adair, Madison County, on January 9, 1930; buried in Hollywood Cemetery, Jackson. Son-in-law of Walter Scott Jennings, father-in-law of John Pope, sometime members Tennessee General Assembly.
Sources: Nashville Banner, January 11, 1930; Public Acts of Tennessee, 1897, 1921; information supplied by self, and by daughter, Mrs. John Pope, Jackson.
Phillips, Felix Hamilton (1892-1952)
HOUSE, 61st General Assembly, 1919-21, (Extra Session only; replaced J. E. Blackmon, resigned); representing Madison County, party affiliation not shown. Born in Jackson, Madison County, on April 26, 1892; son of P. J. and Lou (Gibbs) Phillips. Educated in Madison County schools; Union University, Jackson, Cumberland University Law School, Lebanon, Wilson County; University of Michigan. Lawyer and farmer. No record of marriage or children. In World War I, 1918; private in infantry. Selective Service Board, 1941-42; Bureau of the Census District Supervisor, 1948. Episcopalian. Member of American Legion. Died in Madison County on August 24, 1952; buried in Rocky Springs Cemetery, Madison County.
Sources: Jackson Sun, August 25, 1952; Tennessee Vital Statistics, Death Certificate #18547; War Records Department, State of Tennessee.
Pope, Henry Leroy (1916-)
HOUSE, 75th General Assembly, 1947-49; representing Madison County; Democrat. Born in Jackson, Madison County, on May 8, 1916; son of Henry Leroy and Lettie May (Garrett) Pope. Attended Jackson public schools; West Tennessee College, Jackson, 1936; Memphis State University, 1934-35; received LL.B. degree in 1941 from Columbus University School of Law. Practicing attorney in Jackson since 1946. In World War II: Staff sergeant, 1055th Engineers, U.S. Army, 1943-45. Married in Jackson on November 1, 1946, to Violet Lucille McLemore, daughter of Charles Madison and Shelly Rose (Hawks) McLemore; children--Stephen Leroy and Susan Elizabeth Pope. Clerk, U.S. Civil Service Commission, 1937-40; Law Clerk, Administrative Office of U.S. Courts, 1940-42; Assistant Attorney, U.S. Engineer Department, War Department, 1942-43; Bankruptcy Referee, 1967; Madison County Judge, 1959-60. Member young Democratic Club, Chairman of Membership, 1946; member, Madison County Democratic Executive Committee, 1947-48. Member Methodist Church; Sunday School teacher; chairman, Board of Stewards, 1955-57. American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Moose; Sigma Delta Kappa fraternity. Member Tennessee and Jackson-Madison County bar associations, president of the latter, 1956-57. Special Attorney and. Investigator for the Tennessee Licensing Board for the Healing Arts. Residence: 968 Skyline Drive, Jackson. Great-nephew of Mark Henry Taylor, sometime member Tennessee General Assembly.
Sources: Public Acts of Tennessee, 1947; Who's Who in United States Politics and American Political Almanac; Tennessee Blue Book, 1959, p. 139; Jackson City Directory, 1967; information supplied by self.
Pope, John (1892-)
HOUSE, 81st General Assembly, 1959-61; representing Madison County; Democrat. Born in Crockett County on September 25, 1892; son of H.S. and Elizabeth (Stovall) Pope. Educated in public schools of Madison County and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Farmer and cotton ginner. Married in Tampa, Florida, on March 1, 1917, to Gladys A, Perry, daughter of William A. and Caroline (Jennings) Perry; children--William W., Anne (Mrs. Edward Jones), John, and Perry Pope. Sometime road commissioner of Madison County. Member Methodist Church; B.P.O.E.; A.T.O. Address: Route 1, Bells Highway, Jackson. Son-in-law of William A. Perry, sometime member Tennessee General Assembly.
Source: Information supplied by self.
Pope, Thaddeus Walker (1875-1938)
HOUSE, 53rd General Assembly, 1903-05; representing Henderson and Madison counties; SENATE, 54th and 55th General Assemblies, 1905-09; representing Chester, Henderson, and Madison counties; Democrat. Born in Madison County on May 15, 1875; son of William and Sallie (Walker) Pope. Educated in public schools of Madison County; attended University of Mississippi, Oxford, for three years; quit to become deputy clerk of the Supreme Court; received LL.B. degree in 1897. Began practice of law in Jackson, Madison County, with his brother, J. E. Pope. Married on September 20, 1906, to Nelle Robertson (1882-1933), daughter of Thomas A. and Mary Elizabeth Robertson; no children. Member Tennessee Democratic Executive Committee, 1908. During World War I served as member of Legal Advisory Board. Member Presbyterian Church; Jackson-Madison Bar Association. Died in Jackson on May 13, 1938, while trying a case in Chancery Court; buried in Riverside Cemetery, Jackson. Son-in-law of Thomas A. Robertson, sometime member Y.S. House of Representatives.
Sources: Hamer, Tennessee, A History, III, 301, 302; Moore, Tennessee, The Volunteer State, III, 357; Jackson Sun, July 12, 1908; May 13, May 15, 1938; Madison County Tombstone Inscriptions, 57.
Raines, James Tidwell (1849-1926)
HOUSE, 54th General Assembly, 1905-07; representing Madison County; Democrat. Born in that section of Madison County which is now Crockett County on September 2, 1849; son of William Henderson and Elizabeth Jane (Tidwell) Raines. Educated in local schools and received M.D. degree from the medical department of the University of Tennessee in 1874. Physician. First practiced in Henderson County for about ten years; he removed to Malesus, Madison County, where he continued practice and farming. He was married (1st) to Jannie Hall; two daughters--Leorla Bell and Ida Lorena Raines; married (2nd) to Ida McHaney; ten children--Bertha, James, Walter, Jessie Tidwell, Noble LaFayette, Angie, William Louis, Roy Woods, Hugh Robert, and Mary Raines. Member of school board for fifteen years. Member Christian Church; 32nd degree Mason and Shiner; affiliated with Jackson Lodge #45. Died in Madison County on March 28, 1926; buried in Ebenezer Cemetery, Madison County.
Sources: Moore, Tennessee, The Volunteer State, IV, 89-90; Williams, Historic Madison, 290; History of Jackson Lodge No. 45 F & A. M., 44; Tennessee Vital Statistics,. Death Certificate #9901.
Reid, Ambrose R. (c.1817-1886)
SENATE, 32nd and 40th General Assemblies, 1857-59, 1877-79; representing Haywood, Lauderdale, Madison, and Tipton counties in 32nd Assembly; Hardeman and Madison in the 40th; Democrat, Born in North Carolina c.1817, exact date and place undetermined; names of parents and extent of schooling not given. His family came to Tennessee in the 1820's when he was a young man; he resided in Denmark, Madison County, for the rest of his life, Planter and merchant. Member of the firm of Jackson Cotton Mills; chief engineer for the Mississippi Central Railroad, 1872. Married to Fanny, her maiden name not given; children--Marshall, Frances, Mary, David, Gaston, Annie E., and Ed Reid. Member Madison County Democratic Committee, 1874; chairman of County Court, 1875-82; elected tax assessor of 5th District in 1886, but died before taking office. Deacon and Sunday School superintendent, Presbyterian Church; Mason; Odd Fellow. Died at Denmark on January 15, 1886; buried in Denmark Cemetery.
Sources: Williams, Historic Madison, 147, 336, 357; Jackson West TennesseeWhig January 20, 1886; Jackson Whig & Tribune, August 31, 1872; U.S. Census, 1850, 1880 Madison County.
Rice, John J. (1830-1879)
HOUSE, 39th General Assembly, 1875-77; representing Madison County; Democrat. Born in Virginia, exact place unknown, on April 18, 1830; son of David and Martha H. (Brooks) Rice. The family came to Tennessee in 1843, and settled in Madison County after 1850. Representative Rice was a farmer in the 10th Civil District, Married to Sarah A., maiden name not known; children--Martha E,, Ann C,, Lida G., Sarah, and John Rice, In Civil War: Captain, Company C, 21st Tennessee Cavalry, being wounded at Brice's Crossroads and again at Harrisburg. Died, presumably in Madison County, on December 8, 1879; buried in Riverside Cemetery, Jackson.
Sources: Goodspeed, History of Madison County, 897-98; Tennesseans in the Civil War, II, 340; Jackson Whig & Tribune, January 27,1872; August 30, 1878; Madison County Tombstone Inscriptions, 4.
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Rice. William Russell (1917-)
SENATE, 77th General Assembly, 1951-53; representing Chester, Henderson, and Madison counties; Democrat. Born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on August 10, 1917; son of David Files and Elizabeth (Brown) Rice. Attended public schools of Jackson, Madison County; Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta; received LL.D. degree from Cumberland University Law School, 1939. Lawyer; began practice at Jackson, In World War II: U.S. Marine Corps, 1942-46, discharged with rank of Captain. Married in Jackson on November 17, 1943, to Edna Earle Curdts, daughter of George T. and Elizabeth (Butts) Curdts; children--William Russell, Jr., Janet Craig, George David, and Paul Porter Rice. Resumed law practice after military duty. In 1949 received the "Young Man of the Year" award given by the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce. Became claims attorney for the Gulf, Mobile and Ohio Railroad and continued until 1955. Secretary, Ideal Oil Company. City attorney of Jackson, 1947-51, 1955-59; chairman, Jackson-Madison County Airport.Authority. Member Methodist Church. Address: 44 Laurel Lane, Jackson.
Source: Folmsbee, Corlew, and Mitchell; History of Tennessee, IV, 654.
Robinson, James N. (1865-1940)
HOUSE, 56th and 57th General Assemblies, 1909-13; representing Madison County; Democrat, Born in Madison County on August 27, 1865; son of Wisle and Arabella (Terry) Robinson. No information on extent of education. Merchant. Married to Evelyn Ward, daughter of George Almus and Ada (Forbis) Ward; no children indicated. Member of school board from 1907 until 1940, chairman at the time of his death. Deputy Chancery Court Collector; several years with U.S. Internal Revenue Department; sometime member Madison County Equalization Board. Member Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Died in Jackson, Madison County, on April 24, 1940; buried in Ridgecrest Cemetery, Jackson.
Sources: Williams, Historic Madison, 290; Jackson Sun, April 25, 1940; April 30, 1971; Jackson City Directories, 1937, 1939, 1967; Tennessee Vital Statistics, Death Certificate #9801.
Rogers, Archibald S. (c. 1819-?)
HOUSE, 34th (Confederate) General Assembly, 1861-63; representing Madison County; Conservative. Born c.1819 in North Carolina, exact date and place not found; names of parents and extent of schooling also not located. Pioneer merchant in Pinson, Madison County; kept a large commissary there; the town of Pinson was built around this store. Established a steam sawmill and was one of the charter members of the Jackson Cotton Mills. He was twice married, (1st) to Nancy G. and (2nd) to Margaret E. S., maiden name of neither wife given. Twelve children, but by which wife not indicated--Martha T., Charles C., Mary I., John C., Margaret, Laura A., Dudley T., Elizabeth A., Archibald S., Jr., Emeline D., Keturah, and Carolina Rogers. Captain of Madison County "Minute Men," 1861. Sometime justice of the peace, chairman of the county court 1860-62, 1865-73, 1876-82; chairman of the board of trustees of the Education Commission, 1873. Date and place of death unknown; it was subsequent to 1886.
Sources: Williams, Historic Madison, 289, 343-44, 357, 524; Jackson Tennessee Whig, June 7, 1861, Madison Court Minutes, Vol. 6, 1849-53, Pt. I, p. 185; U.S. Census 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, Madison County.
Short, Morgan Keith (1903-1962)
SENATE, 82nd General Assembly, 1961-63; representing Chester, Henderson, and Madison counties; Democrat. Born on September 27, 1903, probably in Madison County; son of Walter M. and Charlotte Royster (Keith) Short. Graduated from the University of the South, Sewanee, Franklin County; Harvard Law School. Attorney in Jackson, Madison County. Married to Rosita Schyers; no children. One of five commissioners from Tennessee appointed to the Commission of Intergovenmental Relations. Member Presbyterian Church; author of an article on the early Presbyterian Church in Madison County. Member American, Tennessee, and Jackson bar associations, past president of the latter; Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity; Harvard Law Club; Elks Club; Knights of Pythias; Jackson Golf and Country Club; past local and state president, Exchange Club; Tennessee Taxpayers' association; past president, Y.M.C.A., Jackson; Madison County Tuberculosis Association; organizer and first president of the Jackson quarterback Club. Elected to 83rd General Assembly, but died before it convened,
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in Jackson on August 25, 1962. Buried in Ridgecrest Cemetery, Jackson. Grandson of John Yancey Keith, sometime member Tennessee General Assembly.
Sources: Legislative Council files; Jackson Sun, February 6, 1944; August 26, 1962.
Simmons, W. Lowell (c.1911-)
HOUSE, 74th General Assembly, 1945-47; representing Madison County; Democrat. Born c.1911 at Hollow Rock, Carroll County; names of parents and extent of schooling not given. Married to Virble, maiden name unknovn; no children indicated. Magistrate of Madison County; member Baptist Church; Elks Lodge. At the time of his legislative service he lived at Bemis, Madison County; occupation: bus operator. In 1850 he is listed in Jackson City Directory as business agent for the Texas Workers Union, C.I.O.; representative to International. No additional information.
Sources: Public Acts of Tennessee, 1945; Jackson City Directory, 1950, p. 716.
Sneed, Richard Reynolds (1875-1947)
HOUSE, 54th General Assembly, 1905-07; representing Madison County; Democrat, Born in Jackson, Madison County, on November 21, 1875; son of Richard Alexander and Annie (Bullock) Sneed. Educated in public schools of Jackson and at a private school in Texas; graduated from the law department of South Western Baptist University (now Union University), Jackson in 1899. Attorney; charter member of Security National Bank, chartered in 1913. Married in Murfreesboro, Rutherford County, in 1914, to Mrs. Rebecca (Perkins) Sparks, daughter of Daniel P. and Florence (Ewing) Perkins. Two step-children--Ewing and C. P. Sparks. Tennessee Secretary of State, 1913-17; clerk and Master, Chancery Court, 1928-46. Member Methodist Church; Jackson-Madison Bar association; Mason; Elks; Eagles; Red Men. Died in Jackson on June 14, 1947; buried in Hollywood Cemetery, Jackson. Son of Richard Alexander Sneed, sometime Secretary of State for Oklahoma; grandson of Micajah Bullock and nephew of Ernest L. Bullock, sometime members Tennessee General Assembly.
Sources: Blake, Lawmakers and Public Men, 173; Williams, Historic Madison, 197, 331, Nashville
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Tennessean, June 15, 1947; Tennessee Blue Book, 1969-70, p. 197; Tennessee Vital Statistics, Death Certificate #15495; information supplied by stepdaughter, Mrs. Ewing (Sparks) Gunn, Jackson.
Snipes, Farrington Burnett (1828-1909)
HOUSE, 37th General Assembly, 1871-73; representing Madison County; SENATE, 38th General Assembly, 1873-75; representing Hardeman and Madison counties; Democrat. Born in Chathan County, North Carolina, on September 7, 1828; son of Edwin Pinclaiey and Nancy (Burnett.) Snipes. Educated in local schools; graduated from law school in Poughkeepsie, New York, 1850. His parents settled in Demark, Madison County, 1840. Senator Snipes began law practice in Jackson and continued for more than fifty years. In Civil War: Sergeant in Company F 14th Cavalry (Forrest's), C.S.A. Married (1st) in 1856, to Elizabeth Bond, daughter of Dawson Bond; children--William Bond and Elizabeth L. Snipes (Mrs. W.L. Taylor), and two who died in infancy. He was married (2nd) on December 3, 1868, to Temperance Johnston (1846-1911), daughter of James and Emily (Alston) Johnston; children--Edwin P. Snipes, II, James Johnston, and John Allen Snipes. Member Madison County Democratic Executive Committee. Member Methodist Church. Died at his home in Denmark on January 10, 1909; buried in Riverside Cemetery, Jackson.
Sources: Snipes, "History of the Snipes Family," pp. 3, 4, 5 (in State Library Geneological File); Tennesseans in the Civil War, II, 376; Tennessee Historical Quarterly, XIII, 66, 68, 172-73; U.S. Census, 1870, 1880, Madison County.
Steadman, Albert Sidney (1886-1956)
HOUSE, 77th General Assembly, 1951-53; SENATE, 78th General Assembly,: 1953-55;representing Madison County in both assemblies; Democrat. Born at Pinson, Madison County, on October 26, 1886; son of Nathan Forrest and Anne (Steward) Steadman. Educated in local schools; described as school attendance officer, employee of the Jackson Sun, and of the State Highway Department. Married to Matilda Edwards Adams (1869-1955), daughter of Monroe C. Adams; children--Robert and Sarah Steadman; foster son--W. M. Pendleton. Sheriff of Madison County, 1934-36. Member Methodist Church; Elks Lodge. Died
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in Jackson, Madison County, on January 2, 1956; buried in Hollywood Cemetery, Jackson.
Sources: Public Acts of Tennessee, 1951-1953; Jackson Sun, January 3, 1956; Tennessee Vital Statistics, Death Certificate #1219 and #20624. Note: The name is frequently spelled Stedman.
Stewart, James Eugene (1917-)
HOUSE, 82nd and 83rd General Assemblies, 1961-65; representing Madison County; SENATE, 84th General Assembly, 1965-67; representing Crockett, Henderson, and Madison counties; Democrat. Born on July 15, 1917; place of birth, names of parents, and extent of schooling not given. Occupation: farmer and sales manager, Clean Linen Service. Married to Katherine Wilkes; children--Carole Lee, James Eugene, Jr., and Robert Karl Stewart. Member Presbyterian Church; Elks Lodge; Farm Bureau; Moose; member board of governors, Youth Town, Tennessee. Residence: 1585 Hollywood Drive, Jackson 37115.
Source: Legislative Council files.
Swink, Robert Burle (1873-1933)
HOUSE, 61st Generaj. Assembly, 1919-21; representing Madison County; SENATE, 63rd General Assembly, 1923-25; representing counties of Chester, Henderson, and Madison; Democrat. Born at Medon, Madison County, on December 6, 1873; son of Henry Harrison and Annie Elizabeth (Williams) Swink. Attended public schools of Madison County; South Western Baptist University (now Union University), Jackson. Occupation: farmer at Medon; held an interest in a drug business and was chief inspector for the New York Central Railroad covering eleven southern states; a railroad tie contractor for several years. Married (1st) to Madge Fravees Anderson on June 29, 1889; two children--Burle and Harry Swink. Married (2nd) on December 26, 1907, to Myrtle May House, daughter of Albert and Callie House; two children--Bertha May and Dorothy V. Swink. Member of Madieon County Court for sixteen years; instrumental in passage of the Women's Suffrage Amendment in the 61st Assembly; sometime Alderman of Medon. Member Presbyterian Church; Royal Arch Mason; Moose; Elk; Stag and Travellers Protective association. Moved to Memphis in 1927.
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Died at his home in Memphis, Shelby County, on January 12, 1933; buried in Jackson.
Sources: Public Acts of Tennessee, 1919, 1923; in- formation supplied by self at that time; Moore, Tennessee, The Volunteer State, II, 544-45. Tennessee Vital Statistics, Death Certificate #1811. Memphis Commercial Appeal January 13, 1933.
Taylor, Andrew Thompson (1911-)
HOUSE, 70th General Assembly, 1937-39; representing Madison County; Democrat. Born in Jackson, Madison County, on April 19, 1911; son of Andrew and Allie (Thompson) Taylor. Attended public schools of Jackson; graduated from Union University, Jackson,·1934; LL.B, degree from Cumberland University Law School, Lebanon, Wilson County, 1937. Attorney and jurist. Married in Lebanon on October 26, 1938, to Betty Jo McClain, daughter of Neal and Carrie George (Cowan) McClain; one son--Andrew Thompson Taylor, Jr. In World War II: 1942-46; lieutenant colonel in Tennessee National Guard. State Commissioner of Institutions, 1939-41; member, Public Service Commission, 1947-48; Circuit judge, 12th Judicial Circuit, 1948-date. Chairman of Madison County Democratic Executive Committee for ten years; unsuccessful candidate for Governor, 1958. Elder in Presbyterian Church. Member American and Tennessee Bar associations; B.P.O.E.; Masonic Lodge; Shriner; Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Address: 425 Division Street, Jackson.
Sources: Public Acts of Tennessee, 1937; information supplied by self.
Taylor, Mark Henry (1864-1928)
HOUSE, 58th General Assembly, 1913-15; representing Madison County; Democrat. Born in Jackson, Madison County, on August 5, 1864; son of Wyatt A. and Tennessee Virginia (Collins) Taylor. Educated in public schools of Jackson. Occupation: real estate and insurance; many years manager of Caldwell, Vanden & Taylor Insurance Agency. Married on November 6, 1896, to Eva Gooch; no children. Chairman of Madison County Democratic Executive Committee; magistrate and member of county court; alderman of Jackson. Chairman, board of trustees and board of stewards, Methodist
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Church. Member Jackson Lodge #192, B.P.O.E.; Launcelot Lodge, Knights of Pythias; Rotary Club. Died, in Jackson on August 14, 1928; buried in Hollywood Cemetery, Jackson. Great-uncle of H. Leroy Pope, sometime member Tennessee General Assembly.
Sources: Who's Who in Tennessee, 194; Tennessee Vital Statistics, Death Certificate #19495; information supplied by H. Leroy Pope, Jackson.
Thomas, Lowell (1907-)
SENATE, 85th and 86th General Assemblies, 1967-71; representing Madison and Cibson counties; Democrat. Born in Fountain City, Knox County, on January 14, 1907; son of John Calaway and Nannie (Palestine) Thomas. Educated in public schools of Knox County; Tennessee Wesleyon College, Sweetwater, Monroe County; University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Texaco oil distributor in Jackson, Madison County; member board of directors, L & M Tea Company. Married in Jackson on March 9, 1940, to Dorothy Jones, daughter of James LeRoy and Leila (Broome) Jones; no children. Sheriff of Madison County, 1960-66. Elks Lodge; Moose Lodge; 32nd. degree Mason and Shriner; Al Chymia Temple; University of Tennessee Alumni Association; Fraternal Order of Police. Member of University of Tennessee Development Council for four years; chairman board of directors, Jackson Housing Authority, eight years; board director of Lions Club; Veterans of Foreign Wars. Address: (business), P.O. Box 1791; (residence), 126 S. Fairmont Street, Jackson 38301.
Sources: Legislative Council files; information supplied by self.
Thompson, William Andrews. (1872-1945)
HOUSE, 72nd General Assembly, 1941-43; representing Madison County; Democrat. Born in Gibson County on October 18, 1872; son of George B. and Bettie (Riddle) Thompson. Educated in local schools. Went to Madison County; first lived at Mason Hall where he operated a grocery business and engaged in farming and banking. About 1918 he removed to Jackson, Madison County, and in his later years was in the insurance business. He was married twice, (1st) to Alice, maiden name not given, and (2nd) to Ella Best; children, by which wife not indicated--Mrs. B.F. Midzyett, Mrs. R. D. Poindexter, Mrs. W. W. Stribling, and Vernon
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Thompson. Member Baptist Church; Sunday School teacher; Elk; Mason; Knights of Pythias. Died in Jackson on May 26, 1945; buried in Salem Cemetery, near Kenton, Obion County.
Sources: Jackson Sun, May 27, 1945; Tennessee Vital Statistics; Death Certificate #12459.
Tomlin, Hewett P., Jr. (1926-)
HOUSE, 78th General Assembly, 1953-55; representing Madison County; Democrat. Born in Wheeling, West Virginia, on September 12, 1926; son of Hewitt P. and Irma (Black) Tomlin. Educated in public schools of Jackson, Madison County; Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, New Hampshire; Vanderbilt University, Nashville, 1944-45; Princeton University,Princeton, New Jersey, A.B. degree, cum laude, in economics, 1948; Vanderbilt University Law School, Nashville, LL.B. degree in 1951. Attorney in Jackson, 1951-date; secretary, American Litestick Corporation, 1967. Married in Chevy Chase, Maryland, on June 20, 1953, to Joan C. Cooke, daughter of Dwight Russell and Edith (Braga) Cooke; children--Hewitt P. Tomlin, III and Dwight Cooke Tomlin. In World War II: private, Army Air Corps, 1945. Deacon .in Presbyterian Church. Address: Country Club Acres, Jackson.
Sources: Public Acts of Tennessee, 1953; information supplied by self.
Townsend, Hobart L. (1905-)
HOUSE, 70th and 71st General Assemblies, 1937-41; representing Madison County; Democrat. Born at Sugar Tree, Decatur County, on August 3, 1905; son of Eli Mansfield and Cordelia (Harrison) Townsend. Educated in public schools of Decatur County; Union University, Jackson, Madison County. Occupation: general insurance and bonds, Jackson. Married on October 6, 1933, to Ruth Jennings, daughter o Joe and Stella Jennings. One son--Hobart L. Townsend, Jr. Member of Baptist Church; Elks; Knights of Pythias; W.O.W.; Mason and Shiner. Before 1950 he removed to Parsons, Decatur County. Brother of William B. Townsend, sometime member Tennessee General Assembly.
Sources: Gillum, Prominent Tennesseans, 99; Public Acts of Tennessee, 1937, 1939; information supplied by self.
Tyson, Benjamin (c.1849-?)
HOUSE, 41st General Assembly, 1879-81; representing Madison County; Democrat. Born in Tennessee c.1849; exact date and place; names of parents; and extent of schooling not given. Farmer at Denmark, Madison County. Married at Denmark, on June 26, 1879, to Lilia Bond; no children listed. Member of County Court; school commission, revenue assessor for the 5th Civil District. Sometime secretary, Madison County Democratic Executive Committee. Member of Presbyterian Church. No information on subject after legislative service.
Sources: Goodspeed, History of Madison County 834; Jackson Sun, August 30, 1878; July 3, 1879; January 7 1886; Jackson Tennessee Whig, January 7, 1885; Williams, Historic Madison, 290; U.S. Census, 1880, Madison County.
Tyson, John Ambrose (c. 1874-?)
HOUSE, 53rd General Assembly, 1903-05; representing Madison County; Democrat. Born in Tennessee c.1874, exact date and place unknown; probably in Madison County, as his parents, Dr. John A. and Betty (Ewing) Tyson were early settlers of Denmark, Madison County. Studied for the law, and practiced in Jackson, Madison County. No information on wife or children. Member of Presbyterian Church. No information after legislative service, Kinsman of Ambrose R. Reid, sometime member Tennessee General Assembly.
Sources: Williams, Historic Madison, 337; Tennessee Historical Quarterly, XIII, 69, 169; Tyson family geneological notes, in Tennessee State Library and Archives.
Wallace, James Hal (c.1912-)
HOUSE, 81st General Assembly, 1959-61; representing Madison County; Democrat. Born in Jackson, Madison County, c.1912; names of parents, extent of schooling not given. Engaged in wholesale seed business, Jackson. Married to Frances H., maiden name and names of children, if any, not given. Member Madison County Democratic Executive Committee. Member Baptist Church; Elks; Lions Club; West Tennessee Executive Club; Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Address: 237 Wiley Parke Road, Jackson.
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Sources: Public Acts of Tennessee, 1599; Jackson City Directories.
Waters, Wallace (c.1809-1866)
HOUSE, 34th (Reconstruction) General Assembly, 1865-67; first session and adjourned session. (died during the assembly and replaced by Hervey Brown); representing Madison County; party affiliation not shown. Born in North Carolina c.1809; exact date and place; names of parents; and extent of schooling and occupation not shown. Married to Nancy, her maiden name not given; children--Louise and William Waters. Died in Nashville, Davidson County, on February 23, 1866; place of burial not given.
Sources: Nashville Union and American, February 24, 1866; Memphis Avalanche, February 28, 1866; House Journal, 1865-66, pp.398-99, 400; U.S. Census, 1860, Madison County.