Perhaps Judge Gardenhire is best presented in, "Prominent Tennesseans," compiled by Williams S. Speer. Speer states, "Faithful and candid are the two words that distinguish the character of Judge Gardenhire. In his law practice he has always hesitated in broaching bad news or discouraging views to his clients, but never takes advantage of his client's ignorance to make money unprofessionally or to his client's detriment, and never takes an exhorbitant fee. His reputation is he deals justly with all men, and this reputation is sustained by an upright record in the community in which he has lived and practiced law for forty years."
Erasmus Lee Gardenhire was the second son of Adam and Ailsey Tippett Gardenhire, of the Oak Hill community in Overton Co., Tn. He attended country schools and Clinton College in Smith Co. Tn., for two years. He studied law 1838-39 and was admited to the bar in August 1839.
On 5 Dec 1839 in Overton Co. he married Mary A. McMillin, daughter of James Benton and Katherine Halsell McMillin of Kentucky. They were the parents of 8 children:
- James Alexander "Alexis"
- Alice Catherine
- John Halsell
- Mary Catherine
- Lucy Ellen
- Ada M.
- Rassalee
- Erasmus Lee Jr.
He taught school for one year before becoming principal of Livingston Academy, Overton County., Tn. He began the practice of Law in 1844 at Livingston, Tn. In 1851 he moved to Sparta, White Co. Tn. where he lived for the next 25 years. He edited the Sparta Mountain Democrat 1856-57.
Erasmus Lee Gardenhire was married four times:
- Mary A. McMillin - the mother of his children
- May Gwin - a relative of James Gwin, after the marriage she lived 3 days, 6 hours
- Dora Gwin - a relative of James Gwin, and sister to May
- Kibbie Tinsley Williams - with whom he is buried
E. L. Gardenhire served in the 28 Tn. General Assembly (1849-1851) representing White, Fentress, Jackson, Overton and Van Buren counties. Afterwards he served as a judge on the Circuit Court in the mountain district (1858-1861).
Judge Gardenhire was very active at the beginning of the Civil War, frequently speaking in support of secession. He went on to be elected to represent Tennessee as one of the members to the House of Representatives in the First Confederate Congress. He served in this capacity during the sessions held at Richmond, Va. from Feb 1862 through Feb 1864.
His biography continues, "In November, 1861, he was elected to the Confederate Congress, and served in the sessions of 1862 and 1863. In the Congress he urged and voted for every measure which he thought would promote the interests of the South, and was regarded as an able legislator."
"At the breaking out of the war he was worth in negroes, lands, good debt and money in bank some forty thousand dollars. By the war he lost not less than thirty thousand dollars. Since that time, however, he has recovered his fortune, by dint of hard work and close application to his business and is now in very independent and comfortable circumstances."
On 18 August 1865 following the end of the war, Erasmus applied for a Presidential pardon of which the governor of Tennessee, William G. Brownlow, protested against granting. He was pardoned by President Andrew Johnson.
Erasmus returned to the practice of law and was later a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives during the 39 General Assembly 1875-1877 representing White and Putnam Counties. In 1877 he was appointed the the State Supreme Arbitration Court for one year.
He was a member of Christian Church and a Master mason in Sparta Lodge No. 99. Later, he moved to Carthage in Smith Co., Tn, where he died. He left behind an interesting memoir which includes the details of his life.
Much of what we know about Erasmus Lee Gardenhire comes from a variety of scources:
- "Know your Legislators," selected Sketches of Biographical Directory of the Tennessee General Assembly, compiled from several sources
- "Prominent Tennesseans," compiled by William S. Speer
- "History of Overton Co., Tn," Vol. I
- "The Southern Gardenhires," by Lawrence W. Gardenhire, with help from Wamon Clark
Our last look comes from THE COOKEVILLE PRESS [Date: 4/6/1899, Vol. XIII, No. 14, Page 6].
OBITUARY OF ERASMUS GARDENHIRE: Gardenhire, E. L.: Judge E. L. Gardenhire. With extreme regret and personal sorrow we announce the death of Judge E. L. Gardenhire, which occurred at his home near Butler's Landing last Saturday, super induced by extreme old age. The distinguished dead was a native of Overton County, Tenn., born and raised upon a farm, but early in life he became infatuated with the law and applied his great natural faculties to the mastery of the true principles of the same with an assiduity which won for him a name and fame as one of the profoundest lawyers Tennessee has ever produced. For more than fifty years, last past, his name has been a household word in Tennessee. He was not only great as a jurist, but ripe in literature and a profound scholar, endowed with broad intellectual powers not accorded to the average man. . . . He leaves a devoted wife and a long train of lineal descendants, as well as thousands of friends, to cherish his memory and protect his name and fame forever. Peace to his ashes, and may his great soul forever rest with Him whom he so much adored. Thanks to Charles Robin Rauch for finding this source information.
- compiled by Gaynelle Hobt Morton
- revised March 2016
- revised Sept 2017
- revised May 2019
Erasmus Lee Gardenhire was the second son of Adam and Ailsey Tippett Gardenhire, of the Oak Hill community in Overton Co., Tn. He attended country schools and Clinton College in Smith Co. Tn., for two years. He studied law 1838-39 and was admited to the bar in August 1839.
On 5 Dec 1839 in Overton Co. he married Mary A. McMillin, daughter of James Benton and Katherine Halsell McMillin of Kentucky. They were the parents of 8 children:
- James Alexander "Alexis"
- Alice Catherine
- John Halsell
- Mary Catherine
- Lucy Ellen
- Ada M.
- Rassalee
- Erasmus Lee Jr.
He taught school for one year before becoming principal of Livingston Academy, Overton County., Tn. He began the practice of Law in 1844 at Livingston, Tn. In 1851 he moved to Sparta, White Co. Tn. where he lived for the next 25 years. He edited the Sparta Mountain Democrat 1856-57.
Erasmus Lee Gardenhire was married four times:
- Mary A. McMillin - the mother of his children
- May Gwin - a relative of James Gwin, after the marriage she lived 3 days, 6 hours
- Dora Gwin - a relative of James Gwin, and sister to May
- Kibbie Tinsley Williams - with whom he is buried
E. L. Gardenhire served in the 28 Tn. General Assembly (1849-1851) representing White, Fentress, Jackson, Overton and Van Buren counties. Afterwards he served as a judge on the Circuit Court in the mountain district (1858-1861).
Judge Gardenhire was very active at the beginning of the Civil War, frequently speaking in support of secession. He went on to be elected to represent Tennessee as one of the members to the House of Representatives in the First Confederate Congress. He served in this capacity during the sessions held at Richmond, Va. from Feb 1862 through Feb 1864.
His biography continues, "In November, 1861, he was elected to the Confederate Congress, and served in the sessions of 1862 and 1863. In the Congress he urged and voted for every measure which he thought would promote the interests of the South, and was regarded as an able legislator."
"At the breaking out of the war he was worth in negroes, lands, good debt and money in bank some forty thousand dollars. By the war he lost not less than thirty thousand dollars. Since that time, however, he has recovered his fortune, by dint of hard work and close application to his business and is now in very independent and comfortable circumstances."
On 18 August 1865 following the end of the war, Erasmus applied for a Presidential pardon of which the governor of Tennessee, William G. Brownlow, protested against granting. He was pardoned by President Andrew Johnson.
Erasmus returned to the practice of law and was later a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives during the 39 General Assembly 1875-1877 representing White and Putnam Counties. In 1877 he was appointed the the State Supreme Arbitration Court for one year.
He was a member of Christian Church and a Master mason in Sparta Lodge No. 99. Later, he moved to Carthage in Smith Co., Tn, where he died. He left behind an interesting memoir which includes the details of his life.
Much of what we know about Erasmus Lee Gardenhire comes from a variety of scources:
- "Know your Legislators," selected Sketches of Biographical Directory of the Tennessee General Assembly, compiled from several sources
- "Prominent Tennesseans," compiled by William S. Speer
- "History of Overton Co., Tn," Vol. I
- "The Southern Gardenhires," by Lawrence W. Gardenhire, with help from Wamon Clark
Our last look comes from THE COOKEVILLE PRESS [Date: 4/6/1899, Vol. XIII, No. 14, Page 6].
OBITUARY OF ERASMUS GARDENHIRE: Gardenhire, E. L.: Judge E. L. Gardenhire. With extreme regret and personal sorrow we announce the death of Judge E. L. Gardenhire, which occurred at his home near Butler's Landing last Saturday, super induced by extreme old age. The distinguished dead was a native of Overton County, Tenn., born and raised upon a farm, but early in life he became infatuated with the law and applied his great natural faculties to the mastery of the true principles of the same with an assiduity which won for him a name and fame as one of the profoundest lawyers Tennessee has ever produced. For more than fifty years, last past, his name has been a household word in Tennessee. He was not only great as a jurist, but ripe in literature and a profound scholar, endowed with broad intellectual powers not accorded to the average man. . . . He leaves a devoted wife and a long train of lineal descendants, as well as thousands of friends, to cherish his memory and protect his name and fame forever. Peace to his ashes, and may his great soul forever rest with Him whom he so much adored. Thanks to Charles Robin Rauch for finding this source information.
- compiled by Gaynelle Hobt Morton
- revised March 2016
- revised Sept 2017
- revised May 2019
Perhaps Judge Gardenhire is best presented in, "Prominent Tennesseans," compiled by Williams S. Speer. Speer states, "Faithful and candid are the two words that distinguish the character of Judge Gardenhire. In his law practice he has always hesitated in broaching bad news or discouraging views to his clients, but never takes advantage of his client's ignorance to make money unprofessionally or to his client's detriment, and never takes an exhorbitant fee. His reputation is he deals justly with all men, and this reputation is sustained by an upright record in the community in which he has lived and practiced law for forty years."
Erasmus Lee Gardenhire was the second son of Adam and Ailsey Tippett Gardenhire, of the Oak Hill community in Overton Co., Tn. He attended country schools and Clinton College in Smith Co. Tn., for two years. He studied law 1838-39 and was admited to the bar in August 1839.
On 5 Dec 1839 in Overton Co. he married Mary A. McMillin, daughter of James Benton and Katherine Halsell McMillin of Kentucky. They were the parents of 8 children:
- James Alexander "Alexis"
- Alice Catherine
- John Halsell
- Mary Catherine
- Lucy Ellen
- Ada M.
- Rassalee
- Erasmus Lee Jr.
He taught school for one year before becoming principal of Livingston Academy, Overton County., Tn. He began the practice of Law in 1844 at Livingston, Tn. In 1851 he moved to Sparta, White Co. Tn. where he lived for the next 25 years. He edited the Sparta Mountain Democrat 1856-57.
Erasmus Lee Gardenhire was married four times:
- Mary A. McMillin - the mother of his children
- May Gwin - a relative of James Gwin, after the marriage she lived 3 days, 6 hours
- Dora Gwin - a relative of James Gwin, and sister to May
- Kibbie Tinsley Williams - with whom he is buried
E. L. Gardenhire served in the 28 Tn. General Assembly (1849-1851) representing White, Fentress, Jackson, Overton and Van Buren counties. Afterwards he served as a judge on the Circuit Court in the mountain district (1858-1861).
Judge Gardenhire was very active at the beginning of the Civil War, frequently speaking in support of secession. He went on to be elected to represent Tennessee as one of the members to the House of Representatives in the First Confederate Congress. He served in this capacity during the sessions held at Richmond, Va. from Feb 1862 through Feb 1864.
His biography continues, "In November, 1861, he was elected to the Confederate Congress, and served in the sessions of 1862 and 1863. In the Congress he urged and voted for every measure which he thought would promote the interests of the South, and was regarded as an able legislator."
"At the breaking out of the war he was worth in negroes, lands, good debt and money in bank some forty thousand dollars. By the war he lost not less than thirty thousand dollars. Since that time, however, he has recovered his fortune, by dint of hard work and close application to his business and is now in very independent and comfortable circumstances."
On 18 August 1865 following the end of the war, Erasmus applied for a Presidential pardon of which the governor of Tennessee, William G. Brownlow, protested against granting. He was pardoned by President Andrew Johnson.
Erasmus returned to the practice of law and was later a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives during the 39 General Assembly 1875-1877 representing White and Putnam Counties. In 1877 he was appointed the the State Supreme Arbitration Court for one year.
He was a member of Christian Church and a Master mason in Sparta Lodge No. 99. Later, he moved to Carthage in Smith Co., Tn, where he died. He left behind an interesting memoir which includes the details of his life.
Much of what we know about Erasmus Lee Gardenhire comes from a variety of scources:
- "Know your Legislators," selected Sketches of Biographical Directory of the Tennessee General Assembly, compiled from several sources
- "Prominent Tennesseans," compiled by William S. Speer
- "History of Overton Co., Tn," Vol. I
- "The Southern Gardenhires," by Lawrence W. Gardenhire, with help from Wamon Clark
Our last look comes from THE COOKEVILLE PRESS [Date: 4/6/1899, Vol. XIII, No. 14, Page 6].
OBITUARY OF ERASMUS GARDENHIRE: Gardenhire, E. L.: Judge E. L. Gardenhire. With extreme regret and personal sorrow we announce the death of Judge E. L. Gardenhire, which occurred at his home near Butler's Landing last Saturday, super induced by extreme old age. The distinguished dead was a native of Overton County, Tenn., born and raised upon a farm, but early in life he became infatuated with the law and applied his great natural faculties to the mastery of the true principles of the same with an assiduity which won for him a name and fame as one of the profoundest lawyers Tennessee has ever produced. For more than fifty years, last past, his name has been a household word in Tennessee. He was not only great as a jurist, but ripe in literature and a profound scholar, endowed with broad intellectual powers not accorded to the average man. . . . He leaves a devoted wife and a long train of lineal descendants, as well as thousands of friends, to cherish his memory and protect his name and fame forever. Peace to his ashes, and may his great soul forever rest with Him whom he so much adored. Thanks to Charles Robin Rauch for finding this source information.
- compiled by Gaynelle Hobt Morton
- revised March 2016
- revised Sept 2017
- revised May 2019
Erasmus Lee Gardenhire was the second son of Adam and Ailsey Tippett Gardenhire, of the Oak Hill community in Overton Co., Tn. He attended country schools and Clinton College in Smith Co. Tn., for two years. He studied law 1838-39 and was admited to the bar in August 1839.
On 5 Dec 1839 in Overton Co. he married Mary A. McMillin, daughter of James Benton and Katherine Halsell McMillin of Kentucky. They were the parents of 8 children:
- James Alexander "Alexis"
- Alice Catherine
- John Halsell
- Mary Catherine
- Lucy Ellen
- Ada M.
- Rassalee
- Erasmus Lee Jr.
He taught school for one year before becoming principal of Livingston Academy, Overton County., Tn. He began the practice of Law in 1844 at Livingston, Tn. In 1851 he moved to Sparta, White Co. Tn. where he lived for the next 25 years. He edited the Sparta Mountain Democrat 1856-57.
Erasmus Lee Gardenhire was married four times:
- Mary A. McMillin - the mother of his children
- May Gwin - a relative of James Gwin, after the marriage she lived 3 days, 6 hours
- Dora Gwin - a relative of James Gwin, and sister to May
- Kibbie Tinsley Williams - with whom he is buried
E. L. Gardenhire served in the 28 Tn. General Assembly (1849-1851) representing White, Fentress, Jackson, Overton and Van Buren counties. Afterwards he served as a judge on the Circuit Court in the mountain district (1858-1861).
Judge Gardenhire was very active at the beginning of the Civil War, frequently speaking in support of secession. He went on to be elected to represent Tennessee as one of the members to the House of Representatives in the First Confederate Congress. He served in this capacity during the sessions held at Richmond, Va. from Feb 1862 through Feb 1864.
His biography continues, "In November, 1861, he was elected to the Confederate Congress, and served in the sessions of 1862 and 1863. In the Congress he urged and voted for every measure which he thought would promote the interests of the South, and was regarded as an able legislator."
"At the breaking out of the war he was worth in negroes, lands, good debt and money in bank some forty thousand dollars. By the war he lost not less than thirty thousand dollars. Since that time, however, he has recovered his fortune, by dint of hard work and close application to his business and is now in very independent and comfortable circumstances."
On 18 August 1865 following the end of the war, Erasmus applied for a Presidential pardon of which the governor of Tennessee, William G. Brownlow, protested against granting. He was pardoned by President Andrew Johnson.
Erasmus returned to the practice of law and was later a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives during the 39 General Assembly 1875-1877 representing White and Putnam Counties. In 1877 he was appointed the the State Supreme Arbitration Court for one year.
He was a member of Christian Church and a Master mason in Sparta Lodge No. 99. Later, he moved to Carthage in Smith Co., Tn, where he died. He left behind an interesting memoir which includes the details of his life.
Much of what we know about Erasmus Lee Gardenhire comes from a variety of scources:
- "Know your Legislators," selected Sketches of Biographical Directory of the Tennessee General Assembly, compiled from several sources
- "Prominent Tennesseans," compiled by William S. Speer
- "History of Overton Co., Tn," Vol. I
- "The Southern Gardenhires," by Lawrence W. Gardenhire, with help from Wamon Clark
Our last look comes from THE COOKEVILLE PRESS [Date: 4/6/1899, Vol. XIII, No. 14, Page 6].
OBITUARY OF ERASMUS GARDENHIRE: Gardenhire, E. L.: Judge E. L. Gardenhire. With extreme regret and personal sorrow we announce the death of Judge E. L. Gardenhire, which occurred at his home near Butler's Landing last Saturday, super induced by extreme old age. The distinguished dead was a native of Overton County, Tenn., born and raised upon a farm, but early in life he became infatuated with the law and applied his great natural faculties to the mastery of the true principles of the same with an assiduity which won for him a name and fame as one of the profoundest lawyers Tennessee has ever produced. For more than fifty years, last past, his name has been a household word in Tennessee. He was not only great as a jurist, but ripe in literature and a profound scholar, endowed with broad intellectual powers not accorded to the average man. . . . He leaves a devoted wife and a long train of lineal descendants, as well as thousands of friends, to cherish his memory and protect his name and fame forever. Peace to his ashes, and may his great soul forever rest with Him whom he so much adored. Thanks to Charles Robin Rauch for finding this source information.
- compiled by Gaynelle Hobt Morton
- revised March 2016
- revised Sept 2017
- revised May 2019
Family Members
Siblings
Children
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James Alexander "Alexis" Gardenhire
1840–1913
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Alice Catherine Gardenhire Goodbar
1843–1923
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John Halsell Gardenhire
1845–1920
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Mary Catherine Gardenhire Clark
1848–1912
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Lucy Ella Gardenhire Quarles
1852–1946
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Ada Gardenhire McMillin
1855–1923
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Rassalee Gardenhire Cullom
1858–1943
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Erasmus Lee Gardenhire Jr
1864–1865
