Tennessee Governor. He graduated with a degree in literature from the Washington Institute in 1850, graduated from the Cumberland University Law School in 1854 and practiced law in Nashville, Tennessee. As a respected jurist and orator, he presented a number of cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. With the advent of the Civil War, the Union Army occupied Nashville, in March 1862 and former governor Andrew Johnson was appointed military governor of Tennessee. Johnson set up a cabinet and appointed East as Secretary of State, serving (1862-65). When Andrew Johnson was inaugurated as Vice President to President Lincoln, East became Governor of Tennessee, serving March 03, 1865 - April 05, 1865. When Johnson became president following Lincoln's assassination, he asked East to serve in his cabinet, but he declined. He then practiced law and served as chancellor of Davidson County Tennessee, (1869- 72). In 1874, he was elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives and served as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. He also served on the Board of Trust for Vanderbilt University, until his death at age 74.
Tennessee Governor. He graduated with a degree in literature from the Washington Institute in 1850, graduated from the Cumberland University Law School in 1854 and practiced law in Nashville, Tennessee. As a respected jurist and orator, he presented a number of cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. With the advent of the Civil War, the Union Army occupied Nashville, in March 1862 and former governor Andrew Johnson was appointed military governor of Tennessee. Johnson set up a cabinet and appointed East as Secretary of State, serving (1862-65). When Andrew Johnson was inaugurated as Vice President to President Lincoln, East became Governor of Tennessee, serving March 03, 1865 - April 05, 1865. When Johnson became president following Lincoln's assassination, he asked East to serve in his cabinet, but he declined. He then practiced law and served as chancellor of Davidson County Tennessee, (1869- 72). In 1874, he was elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives and served as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. He also served on the Board of Trust for Vanderbilt University, until his death at age 74.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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