Member of the Benton County Tennessee County Court for more than two decades and served as Chairman of the County Commission representing the 10th Civil District. Elected to serve out remaining term of County Judge L.E. Davis (1917-18). Born on March 5, 1870 in the Bethlehem Community of Benton County, Tennessee. Son of John P. Lashlee, and Martha (Roberson) Lashlee. Married Minnie Barnes, daughter of the prominent Thomas Wyly Barnes of Bakers Chapel Community in Benton County on January 9, 1897. Four children: John Wyly (1898), Mary Lucille (1900), Nell (1902), and Linnie (1907). Extensive landholder, stockman, farmer, and local businessman. At the time of his death, he was recognized as Benton Counties most prominent and progressive and foremost stockman and farmer.
Just after WWI, he was one of the original promoters and advisors of the first East to West highway linking Memphis to Bristol, which has now become known as Highway 70. Serving on the road project planning committee, Mr. Lashlee owned the ferry operations at Trotters Landing and decided to donate his land in Benton County near the Tennessee River, Morris Chapel, Camden, and Bruceton to influence the decision to bring the new highway through Benton, Carroll, and Humphrey's County. In later years and just before his death in 1932, the building of the first highway bridge to span the Tennessee River would terminate his ferry operations being run by his son John. In 1936 with the enactment of the President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal & TVA ACT, the federal government purchased all of his families land holdings adjacent to the Tennessee River for mere pennies on the dollar ending their long time farming activities since the early years of the 1800's prior to Benton County's forming. Additionally, as a result of his heirs' resistance to the condemning and purchasing of their Tennessee River land holdings at an insulting price, the federal government decided to forcefully purchase the land where the Post Office on the Court Square in Camden now presently stands adding "salt to the wound".
He served on the board of stewards for the Methodist Church, an avid promoter of educational and church activities in the county. In 1933, one year after his death, that land was used as a CCC/WPA Camp (named Camden Camp Lashlee in his honor) that developed many of the counties roads, parks, and county utility projects and later (1952) became the sight of Camden Elementary School. In 1936, his heirs donated land to the county where Camden Elementary School now stands. He was a member of the State Fair Board, and President of the once renowned and influential Farmers Institute of West Tennessee. Additionally, he was the original catalyst and served as Chairman on the formation committee to establish Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. To save money the committee had been granted by the governor to purchase the land for the park, in 1931 OP Lashlee purchased and donated a tall granite obelisk that stands atop Pilot Knob to this day! The monument came from his son-in-laws granite quarry in Marietta, Georgia and he personally brought the monument back to Benton County for presentation to the county.
Ran for State Senator in 1926 and State Representative in 1930 but due to a failing heart condition withdrew and his cousin Albert Bell was nominated in his place and ended up winning.
He died of heart failure resulting from an extended illness on February 18, 1932. Buried alongside wife and children in the Camden City Cemetery, Camden, Tennessee.
Grandfather W.P. Lashlee, father John P. Lashlee, Uncle's Anderson P., Benjamin P., and William A. Lashlee, son and daughter-in-law John W. and Mildred Lashlee, and grandsons John and Frank all served on county and state government offices. He was often called "Uncle Dandy" or Orlando by relatives and friends.
Just after WWI, he was one of the original promoters and advisors of the first East to West highway linking Memphis to Bristol, which has now become known as Highway 70. Serving on the road project planning committee, Mr. Lashlee owned the ferry operations at Trotters Landing and decided to donate his land in Benton County near the Tennessee River, Morris Chapel, Camden, and Bruceton to influence the decision to bring the new highway through Benton, Carroll, and Humphrey's County. In later years and just before his death in 1932, the building of the first highway bridge to span the Tennessee River would terminate his ferry operations being run by his son John. In 1936 with the enactment of the President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal & TVA ACT, the federal government purchased all of his families land holdings adjacent to the Tennessee River for mere pennies on the dollar ending their long time farming activities since the early years of the 1800's prior to Benton County's forming. Additionally, as a result of his heirs' resistance to the condemning and purchasing of their Tennessee River land holdings at an insulting price, the federal government decided to forcefully purchase the land where the Post Office on the Court Square in Camden now presently stands adding "salt to the wound".
He served on the board of stewards for the Methodist Church, an avid promoter of educational and church activities in the county. In 1933, one year after his death, that land was used as a CCC/WPA Camp (named Camden Camp Lashlee in his honor) that developed many of the counties roads, parks, and county utility projects and later (1952) became the sight of Camden Elementary School. In 1936, his heirs donated land to the county where Camden Elementary School now stands. He was a member of the State Fair Board, and President of the once renowned and influential Farmers Institute of West Tennessee. Additionally, he was the original catalyst and served as Chairman on the formation committee to establish Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. To save money the committee had been granted by the governor to purchase the land for the park, in 1931 OP Lashlee purchased and donated a tall granite obelisk that stands atop Pilot Knob to this day! The monument came from his son-in-laws granite quarry in Marietta, Georgia and he personally brought the monument back to Benton County for presentation to the county.
Ran for State Senator in 1926 and State Representative in 1930 but due to a failing heart condition withdrew and his cousin Albert Bell was nominated in his place and ended up winning.
He died of heart failure resulting from an extended illness on February 18, 1932. Buried alongside wife and children in the Camden City Cemetery, Camden, Tennessee.
Grandfather W.P. Lashlee, father John P. Lashlee, Uncle's Anderson P., Benjamin P., and William A. Lashlee, son and daughter-in-law John W. and Mildred Lashlee, and grandsons John and Frank all served on county and state government offices. He was often called "Uncle Dandy" or Orlando by relatives and friends.
Member of the Benton County Tennessee County Court for more than two decades and served as Chairman of the County Commission representing the 10th Civil District. Elected to serve out remaining term of County Judge L.E. Davis (1917-18). Born on March 5, 1870 in the Bethlehem Community of Benton County, Tennessee. Son of John P. Lashlee, and Martha (Roberson) Lashlee. Married Minnie Barnes, daughter of the prominent Thomas Wyly Barnes of Bakers Chapel Community in Benton County on January 9, 1897. Four children: John Wyly (1898), Mary Lucille (1900), Nell (1902), and Linnie (1907). Extensive landholder, stockman, farmer, and local businessman. At the time of his death, he was recognized as Benton Counties most prominent and progressive and foremost stockman and farmer.
Just after WWI, he was one of the original promoters and advisors of the first East to West highway linking Memphis to Bristol, which has now become known as Highway 70. Serving on the road project planning committee, Mr. Lashlee owned the ferry operations at Trotters Landing and decided to donate his land in Benton County near the Tennessee River, Morris Chapel, Camden, and Bruceton to influence the decision to bring the new highway through Benton, Carroll, and Humphrey's County. In later years and just before his death in 1932, the building of the first highway bridge to span the Tennessee River would terminate his ferry operations being run by his son John. In 1936 with the enactment of the President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal & TVA ACT, the federal government purchased all of his families land holdings adjacent to the Tennessee River for mere pennies on the dollar ending their long time farming activities since the early years of the 1800's prior to Benton County's forming. Additionally, as a result of his heirs' resistance to the condemning and purchasing of their Tennessee River land holdings at an insulting price, the federal government decided to forcefully purchase the land where the Post Office on the Court Square in Camden now presently stands adding "salt to the wound".
He served on the board of stewards for the Methodist Church, an avid promoter of educational and church activities in the county. In 1933, one year after his death, that land was used as a CCC/WPA Camp (named Camden Camp Lashlee in his honor) that developed many of the counties roads, parks, and county utility projects and later (1952) became the sight of Camden Elementary School. In 1936, his heirs donated land to the county where Camden Elementary School now stands. He was a member of the State Fair Board, and President of the once renowned and influential Farmers Institute of West Tennessee. Additionally, he was the original catalyst and served as Chairman on the formation committee to establish Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. To save money the committee had been granted by the governor to purchase the land for the park, in 1931 OP Lashlee purchased and donated a tall granite obelisk that stands atop Pilot Knob to this day! The monument came from his son-in-laws granite quarry in Marietta, Georgia and he personally brought the monument back to Benton County for presentation to the county.
Ran for State Senator in 1926 and State Representative in 1930 but due to a failing heart condition withdrew and his cousin Albert Bell was nominated in his place and ended up winning.
He died of heart failure resulting from an extended illness on February 18, 1932. Buried alongside wife and children in the Camden City Cemetery, Camden, Tennessee.
Grandfather W.P. Lashlee, father John P. Lashlee, Uncle's Anderson P., Benjamin P., and William A. Lashlee, son and daughter-in-law John W. and Mildred Lashlee, and grandsons John and Frank all served on county and state government offices. He was often called "Uncle Dandy" or Orlando by relatives and friends.
Just after WWI, he was one of the original promoters and advisors of the first East to West highway linking Memphis to Bristol, which has now become known as Highway 70. Serving on the road project planning committee, Mr. Lashlee owned the ferry operations at Trotters Landing and decided to donate his land in Benton County near the Tennessee River, Morris Chapel, Camden, and Bruceton to influence the decision to bring the new highway through Benton, Carroll, and Humphrey's County. In later years and just before his death in 1932, the building of the first highway bridge to span the Tennessee River would terminate his ferry operations being run by his son John. In 1936 with the enactment of the President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal & TVA ACT, the federal government purchased all of his families land holdings adjacent to the Tennessee River for mere pennies on the dollar ending their long time farming activities since the early years of the 1800's prior to Benton County's forming. Additionally, as a result of his heirs' resistance to the condemning and purchasing of their Tennessee River land holdings at an insulting price, the federal government decided to forcefully purchase the land where the Post Office on the Court Square in Camden now presently stands adding "salt to the wound".
He served on the board of stewards for the Methodist Church, an avid promoter of educational and church activities in the county. In 1933, one year after his death, that land was used as a CCC/WPA Camp (named Camden Camp Lashlee in his honor) that developed many of the counties roads, parks, and county utility projects and later (1952) became the sight of Camden Elementary School. In 1936, his heirs donated land to the county where Camden Elementary School now stands. He was a member of the State Fair Board, and President of the once renowned and influential Farmers Institute of West Tennessee. Additionally, he was the original catalyst and served as Chairman on the formation committee to establish Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. To save money the committee had been granted by the governor to purchase the land for the park, in 1931 OP Lashlee purchased and donated a tall granite obelisk that stands atop Pilot Knob to this day! The monument came from his son-in-laws granite quarry in Marietta, Georgia and he personally brought the monument back to Benton County for presentation to the county.
Ran for State Senator in 1926 and State Representative in 1930 but due to a failing heart condition withdrew and his cousin Albert Bell was nominated in his place and ended up winning.
He died of heart failure resulting from an extended illness on February 18, 1932. Buried alongside wife and children in the Camden City Cemetery, Camden, Tennessee.
Grandfather W.P. Lashlee, father John P. Lashlee, Uncle's Anderson P., Benjamin P., and William A. Lashlee, son and daughter-in-law John W. and Mildred Lashlee, and grandsons John and Frank all served on county and state government offices. He was often called "Uncle Dandy" or Orlando by relatives and friends.
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