City: Gallatin
PURYEAR, David Burford, lawyer; born at Hendersonville, Tenn., April 7, 1882; French and Scotch-Irish descent; son of William P. and Fannie M. (Wright) PURYEAR; paternal grandparents, William P. and Mary Anne (Pierce) PURYEAR, maternal grandparents, Romulus C. and Bettie (Burford) WRIGHT; educated public schools of Sumner Co., Tenn., and Vanderbilt University, graduating from the latter with degree of Bachelor of Laws May 1902; in early life was in the farming and merchandising business with his father, later was in the Insurance business, then became a lawyer; married Jennie B. McCARVER Feb. 16, 1910; member I. O. O. F. (Past Grand Master of Lodge No. 13), F. & A. M. (Past Worshipful Master of Saundersville Lodge), Delta Tau Delta Fraternity (delegate to Southern convention in 1902) Watauga Club, Nashville, Tenn.; Democrat; represented Sumner Co., in General Assembly of Tenn., three terms, viz: 1907, 1909 and 1911; elected over fierce opposition during factional strife to the legislatures of 1909-1911; was candidate of the local option or administration forces for Speakership of the House of Representatives in 1909 and was defeated; was chairman of the Reelfoot Lake Committee legislative session 1909; appointed to investigate Night-rider trouble and to recommend some adjustment of the disturbing situation; was one of the authors of the Acts to make Reelfoot Lake public game preserve; appointed by the Governor and Attorney General as special counsel for the State in litigation concerning title to Reelfoot Lake; author of two-cent rate bill in legislature of 1907; elected floor leader of Administration forces in legislature of 1911; received 17 votes for United States Senator from Tenn., by 1911 legislature, though not a candidate and too young to be constitutionly elected; member of the Methodist Church
