Tennessee Governor. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Nashville in 1846, he studied law, was admitted to the bar and began a private law practice in Paris Tennessee. He served in the Tennessee House of Representatives (1859-61) and with the start of the Civil War, was appointed Assistant Adjutant-General in the Provisional Army of Tennessee, serving the state’s forces which were transferred to the Confederacy, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. After the war, he served as Judge of the 12th Judicial Circuit of Tennessee, for four years and practiced law. In 1875, he was elected as a Democrat the 20th Tennessee Governor, serving until 1879. As Governor, he played a key role in establishing the George Peabody College for Teachers in Nashville and during his administration the first black medical school Meharry Medical College was founded. After leaving office, he became president of the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroad Company. He served as Assistant Secretary of State under President Grover Cleveland (1885-87), and was appointed by President Cleveland Minister to Chile, serving (1893-94). He was president of the Board of Trustees of the University of Nashville in 1901 and when the two schools merged, he became President of the new George Peabody College, serving (1902-09).
Tennessee Governor. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Nashville in 1846, he studied law, was admitted to the bar and began a private law practice in Paris Tennessee. He served in the Tennessee House of Representatives (1859-61) and with the start of the Civil War, was appointed Assistant Adjutant-General in the Provisional Army of Tennessee, serving the state’s forces which were transferred to the Confederacy, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. After the war, he served as Judge of the 12th Judicial Circuit of Tennessee, for four years and practiced law. In 1875, he was elected as a Democrat the 20th Tennessee Governor, serving until 1879. As Governor, he played a key role in establishing the George Peabody College for Teachers in Nashville and during his administration the first black medical school Meharry Medical College was founded. After leaving office, he became president of the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroad Company. He served as Assistant Secretary of State under President Grover Cleveland (1885-87), and was appointed by President Cleveland Minister to Chile, serving (1893-94). He was president of the Board of Trustees of the University of Nashville in 1901 and when the two schools merged, he became President of the new George Peabody College, serving (1902-09).
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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