Tennessee Governor. Graduating from Carson-Newman College in 1890, he studied law and was admitted to the Bar and practiced law in Newport, Tennessee. He was a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives, (1893-97) and served as a Captain in the 6th U.S. Volunteer Infantry, during the Spanish-American War. After the war, he served as Assistant Attorney General for the Eastern Division of Tennessee, (1906-10) and was elected as a Republican the 31st Tennessee Governor, serving (1911-15). During his two terms, he was instrumental in establishing Tennessee’s Banking, Auditing service, plus a Department of Shop and Factory Inspection, and Insurance Department. Also during his administration, legislation was enacted to establish compulsory school attendance, increase public school funding, regulate child labor in factories and mines, provide for military widows’ pensions, establish parole and indeterminate sentencing, require deposit of state funds on interest, ensure mine safety, and regulate public utilities. After leaving office, he practiced law, was Judge of the Tennessee 13th Chancery Division, in 1920, was appointed by President Warren Harding the U.S. Railroad Labor Board, serving (1922-25) and was director and associate editor of the Knoxville Times. He also served as Vice President of the Tennessee Constitutional Convention, until his death.
Tennessee Governor. Graduating from Carson-Newman College in 1890, he studied law and was admitted to the Bar and practiced law in Newport, Tennessee. He was a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives, (1893-97) and served as a Captain in the 6th U.S. Volunteer Infantry, during the Spanish-American War. After the war, he served as Assistant Attorney General for the Eastern Division of Tennessee, (1906-10) and was elected as a Republican the 31st Tennessee Governor, serving (1911-15). During his two terms, he was instrumental in establishing Tennessee’s Banking, Auditing service, plus a Department of Shop and Factory Inspection, and Insurance Department. Also during his administration, legislation was enacted to establish compulsory school attendance, increase public school funding, regulate child labor in factories and mines, provide for military widows’ pensions, establish parole and indeterminate sentencing, require deposit of state funds on interest, ensure mine safety, and regulate public utilities. After leaving office, he practiced law, was Judge of the Tennessee 13th Chancery Division, in 1920, was appointed by President Warren Harding the U.S. Railroad Labor Board, serving (1922-25) and was director and associate editor of the Knoxville Times. He also served as Vice President of the Tennessee Constitutional Convention, until his death.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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