U.S. Congressman, Presidential Cabinet Member, U.S. Senator. After graduating from Cumberland College, in 1814, he studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1816 and commenced to practice law in Franklin, Tennessee. He was a member of the Tennessee State Senate 1817. He was elected as Democrat-Republican to the Twentieth Congress and to the next six succeeding Congresses, serving (1827-41). After his last term, he was appointed by President William Henry Harrison as the 16th Secretary of War, serving March 5, 1841 until he resigned on September 12, 1841. He was a member of the Tennessee State House of Representatives, when elected as a Whig to the United States Senate, serving (1847-59). He was one of four main candidates for President of the United States in the 1860 election at the head of the Constitutional Union ticket, losing to Abraham Lincoln. Retiring from politics, he managed his family owned ironworks until his death at age 73 in Dover, Tennessee.
U.S. Congressman, Presidential Cabinet Member, U.S. Senator. After graduating from Cumberland College, in 1814, he studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1816 and commenced to practice law in Franklin, Tennessee. He was a member of the Tennessee State Senate 1817. He was elected as Democrat-Republican to the Twentieth Congress and to the next six succeeding Congresses, serving (1827-41). After his last term, he was appointed by President William Henry Harrison as the 16th Secretary of War, serving March 5, 1841 until he resigned on September 12, 1841. He was a member of the Tennessee State House of Representatives, when elected as a Whig to the United States Senate, serving (1847-59). He was one of four main candidates for President of the United States in the 1860 election at the head of the Constitutional Union ticket, losing to Abraham Lincoln. Retiring from politics, he managed his family owned ironworks until his death at age 73 in Dover, Tennessee.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Family Members
Advertisement
