US Senator. David McKendree Key was a United States Senator from Tennessee from 1875 to 1877 and United States Postmaster General from 1877 to 1880. When the American Civil War broke out, he was opposed to the plans of the seceding states, but being in the minority in his own neighborhood, he accepted the appointment of lieutenant colonel of a Tennessee regiment in the Confederate army and served through the war. When Andrew Johnson became president, Lt. Colonel Key received a free pardon from him. In 1875, Key was appointed to Andrew Johnson's place in the US Senate on the occasion of the death of the latter. He served until 1877, when President Hayes appointed him US Postmaster General, a position which he retained until 1880, when he was appointed judge of the eastern and middle districts of Tennessee and resigned from the cabinet. He graduated from Hiwassee College before studying law at the University of Tennessee.
US Senator. David McKendree Key was a United States Senator from Tennessee from 1875 to 1877 and United States Postmaster General from 1877 to 1880. When the American Civil War broke out, he was opposed to the plans of the seceding states, but being in the minority in his own neighborhood, he accepted the appointment of lieutenant colonel of a Tennessee regiment in the Confederate army and served through the war. When Andrew Johnson became president, Lt. Colonel Key received a free pardon from him. In 1875, Key was appointed to Andrew Johnson's place in the US Senate on the occasion of the death of the latter. He served until 1877, when President Hayes appointed him US Postmaster General, a position which he retained until 1880, when he was appointed judge of the eastern and middle districts of Tennessee and resigned from the cabinet. He graduated from Hiwassee College before studying law at the University of Tennessee.
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