U.S. Congressman, Tennessee Governor. During the Revolutionary War, he served as a soldier in the Continental Army and after the war, moved to Tennessee and agricultural pursuits. Entering politics, he was a member of the Tennessee State House of Representatives, (1811-12). During the War of 1812, he served as a Colonel in command of a Tennessee Mounted Rifles Regiment. After the war, he was elected as a Republican to the Thirteenth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Felix Grundy, reelected to the Fourteenth Congress, serving (1814-17). He was appointed by President Monroe a commissioner to negotiate a treaty with the Chickasaw Indians in 1819, plus again elected to the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Congresses, serving (1819-23). In 1835, he was elected as a Whig the 8th Governor of Tennessee, serving until 1839. During his administration, legislation was enacted to improve the state's transportation facilities, a state bank was created primarily to raise funds for internal improvements and for the aid of public education. After his term, he retired to his plantation until his death at age 60.
U.S. Congressman, Tennessee Governor. During the Revolutionary War, he served as a soldier in the Continental Army and after the war, moved to Tennessee and agricultural pursuits. Entering politics, he was a member of the Tennessee State House of Representatives, (1811-12). During the War of 1812, he served as a Colonel in command of a Tennessee Mounted Rifles Regiment. After the war, he was elected as a Republican to the Thirteenth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Felix Grundy, reelected to the Fourteenth Congress, serving (1814-17). He was appointed by President Monroe a commissioner to negotiate a treaty with the Chickasaw Indians in 1819, plus again elected to the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Congresses, serving (1819-23). In 1835, he was elected as a Whig the 8th Governor of Tennessee, serving until 1839. During his administration, legislation was enacted to improve the state's transportation facilities, a state bank was created primarily to raise funds for internal improvements and for the aid of public education. After his term, he retired to his plantation until his death at age 60.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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