Produced at the Tennessee State Library and ArchivesProduced at the Tennessee State Library and Archives403 7th Avenue N., Nashville, TN 37243403 7th Avenue N., Nashville, TN 37243

2012 edition2012 edition

SAMPSON W. KEEBLE . . . . . . Davidson County . . . . . . . 1873-1874 JOHN W. BOYD . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tipton County . . . . . . . . . . 1881-1884 (2

terms) THOMAS F. CASSELS . . . . . . . Shelby County . . . . . . . . . .1881-1882 ISAAC F. NORRIS . . . . . . . . . . .Shelby County . . . . . . . . . 1881-1882 THOMAS A. SYKES . . . . . . . . . Davidson County . . . . . . .1881-1882 LEON HOWARD . . . . . . . . . . . . Shelby County . . . . . . . . . 1883-1884 SAMUEL A. McELWEE . . . . . . Haywood County . . . . . . .1883-1888 * (3

terms) DAVID F. RIVERS . . . . . . . . . . Fayette County . . . . . . . . . . 1883-1884 * GREENE E. EVANS . . . . . . . . . Shelby County . . . . . . . . . 1885-1886 WILLIAM FEILDS . . . . . . . . . . . .Shelby County . . . . . . . . .1885-1886 WILLIAM C. HODGE . . . . . . . . Hamilton County . . . . . . .1885-1886 MONROE W. GOODEN . . . . . . Fayette County . . . . . . . . .1887-1888 STYLES L. HUTCHINS . . . . . . .Hamilton County . . . . . . . .1887-1888 JESSE M. H. GRAHAM . . . . . . .Montgomery County . . . .1897 (unseated) *Both Rivers and McElwee were prevented by white supremacists from serving a later term to which they had been elected.

No other African Americans served in the TN General Assembly until 1965

SAMPSON W. SAMPSON W. KEEBLEKEEBLE

May 18,1833 – June 19, 1887

A Republican barber, herepresented Davidson County

in the 38th Tennessee General Assembly, 1873-1874

He was the first African American elected to the

Tennessee legislature.

Bust of Sampson Keeble in Tennessee State Capitol by sculptor

Roy W. Butler, 2010.

Sampson W. Keeble was a Sampson W. Keeble was a Nashville businessman, Nashville businessman, the owner of the Rock City the owner of the Rock City Barber Shop, when he was Barber Shop, when he was elected to the 34elected to the 34thth General General Assembly. Born in 1833 in Assembly. Born in 1833 in Rutherford County TN, he Rutherford County TN, he was the son of Sampson was the son of Sampson and Nancy Keeble. He was and Nancy Keeble. He was listed among the slaves of listed among the slaves of H. P. Keeble, an influential H. P. Keeble, an influential Murfreesboro attorney. Murfreesboro attorney.

Keeble worked as a Keeble worked as a pressman for various pressman for various newspapers in Murfrees-newspapers in Murfrees-boro before the Civil War, boro before the Civil War, then reportedly fought in then reportedly fought in the Confederate Army the Confederate Army during the conflict. After during the conflict. After the war he established a the war he established a home in Nashville and home in Nashville and served on the boards of served on the boards of the the Freedmen’s Bank Freedmen’s Bank and several other African and several other African American organizations.American organizations.

In November 1872, riding the coattails of In November 1872, riding the coattails of Ulysses S. Grant’s Republican Presidential victory, Ulysses S. Grant’s Republican Presidential victory, Keeble was narrowly elected by Davidson County Keeble was narrowly elected by Davidson County voters to serve in the Tennessee General Assembly.voters to serve in the Tennessee General Assembly.

During his single term in the legislature, During his single term in the legislature, Sampson Keeble introduced bills protecting the Sampson Keeble introduced bills protecting the rights of wage earners, amending Nashville’s city rights of wage earners, amending Nashville’s city charter to permit African Americans to owncharter to permit African Americans to own & & operate businesses downtown, and appropriating operate businesses downtown, and appropriating funds for the Tennessee Manual Labor University. funds for the Tennessee Manual Labor University. Not one of his bills received sufficient votes to pass Not one of his bills received sufficient votes to pass into law.into law.

Keeble was elected to serve as a Davidson Keeble was elected to serve as a Davidson County magistrate from 1877 to 1882. He died in County magistrate from 1877 to 1882. He died in 1887 and is buried with his daughter and son-in-law 1887 and is buried with his daughter and son-in-law in Nashville’s Greenwood Cemetery.in Nashville’s Greenwood Cemetery.

Sampson W. Keeble’s monument in Sampson W. Keeble’s monument in Greenwood Cemetery, Nashville. Greenwood Cemetery, Nashville.

Tennessee Historical Commission Tennessee Historical Commission marker on Lower Broadway, marker on Lower Broadway, Nashville.Nashville.

The four African The four African

American legislators American legislators

are at the far left. are at the far left.

JOHN W. BOYDJOHN W. BOYDca. 1852 – March 10, 1932ca. 1852 – March 10, 1932

A Republican attorney, he was

elected to represent Tipton County

in the 42nd TennesseeGeneral Assembly, 1881-1882,,

and re-elected toand re-elected tothe 43the 43rdrd Tennessee Tennessee

General Assembly, 1883-1884General Assembly, 1883-1884.

John W. Boyd’s parents,John W. Boyd’s parents,Philip and Sophia Fields Philip and Sophia Fields Boyd, were both born in Boyd, were both born in Virginia and moved to Virginia and moved to Tennessee with their slave-Tennessee with their slave-owners, the Feild-Sanfords. owners, the Feild-Sanfords. John married Martha John married Martha Doggett of Mason TN in Doggett of Mason TN in 1879. His brother Armistead 1879. His brother Armistead Boyd served with Co. C, Boyd served with Co. C, 8888thth US Colored Infantry. US Colored Infantry.

Boyd, an attorney, was aBoyd, an attorney, was acensus taker for Civil Districtcensus taker for Civil District10, and a magistrate in District 10, and a magistrate in District 9 of Tipton County as late as 9 of Tipton County as late as 1900. Elected to the Tennessee1900. Elected to the Tennesseelegislature in 1880, he servedlegislature in 1880, he servedtwo terms in the House but losttwo terms in the House but lostan 1884 election for the Senatean 1884 election for the Senatewhen a key ward’s ballot boxwhen a key ward’s ballot boxmysteriously disappearedmysteriously disappeared. HisHischallenge of the results failed.challenge of the results failed.

In the General Assembly John Boyd In the General Assembly John Boyd worked diligently with other legislators worked diligently with other legislators to overturn Chapter 130 of the Acts of to overturn Chapter 130 of the Acts of 1875, the first of Tennessee’s 1875, the first of Tennessee’s “Jim “Jim Crow” Crow” laws, which sanctioned racial laws, which sanctioned racial discrimi-nation in public facilities. Boyd discrimi-nation in public facilities. Boyd also attempted to repeal the restrictive also attempted to repeal the restrictive contract labor law, which had the effect contract labor law, which had the effect of keeping working blacks in bondage.of keeping working blacks in bondage.

Excerpt: “Hereafter no keeper of any Hotel or public House, or

carrier of passengers for hire, or conductor, driver, or employee of

such carrier or keeper of any place of amusement or employee of

such keeper shall be bound, or under any obligation, to entertain,

carry, or admit any person whom he shall for any reason whatever

choose not to entertain, carry, or admit to his house, Hotel,

carriage, or means of Transportation or place of amusement, nor

shall any right exist in favor of any such person so refused

admission; but the right of such keepers...and their employees to

control the access & admittance or exclusion of persons...shall be

as complete as that of any private person over his private house,

carriage, or private theatre or places of amusement for his family.”

Black legislators worked harder to overturn this 1875 law than almost any other. An amended version of Boyd’s bill to repeal it was passed in 1883, but

it did not effectively deal with the larger issue of racial discrimination.

Here are the cover and first page of John W. Here are the cover and first page of John W. Boyd’s 1883 bill, HB 663, to prevent racial Boyd’s 1883 bill, HB 663, to prevent racial discrimination by railroad companies. The bill discrimination by railroad companies. The bill was amended to order separate accommodations was amended to order separate accommodations for black and white passengers. Although Boyd for black and white passengers. Although Boyd objected to, and even voted against the amended objected to, and even voted against the amended bill, it passed into law by a vote of 56-19.bill, it passed into law by a vote of 56-19.

THOMAS F. THOMAS F. CASSELSCASSELS

ca. 1845 – April 2, 1903ca. 1845 – April 2, 1903

The first African American to serve

as assistant district attorney of Memphis, Cassels was

elected as a Republican to represent Shelby County

in the 42nd TennesseeGeneral Assembly, 1881-1882

Thomas F. Cassels was Thomas F. Cassels was

born to free parents in Ohio born to free parents in Ohio around1845. He & his wife around1845. He & his wife Emma, a teacher, moved to Emma, a teacher, moved to Memphis about 1875. Memphis about 1875. Quite possibly the first Quite possibly the first African American to African American to practice law in Memphis, practice law in Memphis, he he waswas the the first to plead a first to plead a case before the West case before the West Tennessee Supreme Court. Tennessee Supreme Court. He served as the Assistant He served as the Assistant Attorney General of Attorney General of Memphis in 1878 and as Memphis in 1878 and as U.S. Surveyor of Customs U.S. Surveyor of Customs during the mid-1880s.during the mid-1880s.

The year after his term The year after his term in the General Assemblyin the General Assemblyended, Cassels ended, Cassels

representedrepresentedactivist activist Ida B. Wells Ida B. Wells in herin herdiscrimination lawsuitdiscrimination lawsuitagainst the railroads. Inagainst the railroads. In1888 he served as a1888 he served as aRepublican PresidentialRepublican Presidentialelector. elector. Thomas F. CasselsThomas F. Casselscontinued to work as ancontinued to work as anattorney and a mentor toattorney and a mentor toyoung lawyers until hisyoung lawyers until hisuntimely death in 1906untimely death in 1906from tuberculosis.from tuberculosis.

ISHAM (Isaac) F. NORRISISHAM (Isaac) F. NORRISOctober 15, 1851 – September 23, 1928

A grocer and businessman (coal & wood),

he was elected as a Republicanto represent Shelby County

in the 42nd TennesseeGeneral Assembly, 1881-1882.

Convinced to run the following year Convinced to run the following year on the Democratic ticket with on the Democratic ticket with

Gen. William B. Bate, Gen. William B. Bate, Norris was defeated,Norris was defeated,

although Governor Bate although Governor Bate and others on the ticket won easily.and others on the ticket won easily.

Isham Norris was one ofIsham Norris was one ofMemphis’s elite AfricanMemphis’s elite African

American group who sawAmerican group who sawseveral of their numberseveral of their number

elected to offices rangingelected to offices rangingfrom asst. wharfmaster andfrom asst. wharfmaster and

coal inspector to assistantcoal inspector to assistantattorney general during the attorney general during the

1870s & 1880s. Norris 1870s & 1880s. Norris waswas

a grocer and coal & wooda grocer and coal & wooddealer when he was electeddealer when he was elected

to the General Assembly.to the General Assembly.

During the election of 1882During the election of 1882the Democrats, who hadthe Democrats, who hadpersuaded Norris to joinpersuaded Norris to join

their ticket, referred to himtheir ticket, referred to himin several news stories as ain several news stories as a

man “of fine practical man “of fine practical sensesense

and good judgment.” Toand good judgment.” Totheir dismay, it was nottheir dismay, it was not

enough to get him elected,enough to get him elected,or to convince very manyor to convince very manyblack voters to vote for ablack voters to vote for a

Democratic candidate. Democratic candidate.

On March 30, 1881, Rep. On March 30, 1881, Rep. Isham Norris introduced Isham Norris introduced House Bill No. 682, “House Bill No. 682, “To To

prevent racial discrimination prevent racial discrimination by railroad companies by railroad companies

among their passengers who among their passengers who are charged and pay first are charged and pay first

class fare, and fixing class fare, and fixing penalty for same.” The bill penalty for same.” The bill passed its first and second passed its first and second

readings, but it was readings, but it was apparently tabled in apparently tabled in

committee and was not committee and was not brought forward for a third brought forward for a third and final reading. This was and final reading. This was one of the earliest bills to one of the earliest bills to make an effort to repeal make an effort to repeal

Chapter 130 Chapter 130 of the Acts of of the Acts of 1875, one of the earliest of 1875, one of the earliest of

the “Jim Crow Laws.”the “Jim Crow Laws.”

Norris, randomly called both Isham and Isaac, leftNorris, randomly called both Isham and Isaac, leftMemphis and moved his family to Oklahoma someMemphis and moved his family to Oklahoma sometime after 1892. They owned a farm and grocery theretime after 1892. They owned a farm and grocery therefor several years. By the time of the 1910 census,for several years. By the time of the 1910 census,however, they were living in Seattle, where Ishamhowever, they were living in Seattle, where Ishamowned a trucking company and had already paid off theowned a trucking company and had already paid off themortgage on their home. Their 5th son was born aftermortgage on their home. Their 5th son was born afterthe move to Washington state. After Norris died inthe move to Washington state. After Norris died in1928, his children stayed on in Seattle, working a1928, his children stayed on in Seattle, working apolice officers, transportation agents, & stevedores.police officers, transportation agents, & stevedores.

THOMAS A. SYKESTHOMAS A. SYKESca. 1835 – ca. 1905

A former member of theNorth Carolina Legislature,a gauger at the Customs

House, and owner of a Nashville furniture store,

Sykes was elected to represent Davidson County

in the 42nd TennesseeGeneral Assembly, 1881-

1882.

The 1870 North Carolina The 1870 North Carolina census, which erroneously census, which erroneously indicated that Sykes could not indicated that Sykes could not read or write, showed that he read or write, showed that he and his wife Martha had three and his wife Martha had three daughters before moving to daughters before moving to Tennessee, and listed his NC Tennessee, and listed his NC occupation as occupation as “Representative.”“Representative.”

During the 1870s & 1880s During the 1870s & 1880s Sykes joined city councilman Sykes joined city councilman James C. Napier James C. Napier and others inand others in

a reform movement against a reform movement against Mayor Thomas Kercheval’s Mayor Thomas Kercheval’s political machine. political machine. The group The group made significant progress inmade significant progress in

moving African Americans intomoving African Americans intocity jobs city jobs – as bridge watchmen,– as bridge watchmen,public works employees, andpublic works employees, andlaborers; a few blacks evenlaborers; a few blacks evenobtained leadership positions,obtained leadership positions,serving as bosses of road crewsserving as bosses of road crewsor captains of African Americanor captains of African Americanfire companies.fire companies. After his term in the stateAfter his term in the statelegislature Sykes, whose wifelegislature Sykes, whose wifewas a teacher, became thewas a teacher, became theAsst. Superintendent of the TNAsst. Superintendent of the TNIndustrial School in Nashville.Industrial School in Nashville.His name did not appear in cityHis name did not appear in citydirectories after 1893.directories after 1893.

Although a total of 12 black legislators served in Although a total of 12 black legislators served in the General Assembly in the 1880s, by the end of the the General Assembly in the 1880s, by the end of the decade there were none. Thomas Sykes was not re-decade there were none. Thomas Sykes was not re-elected after his term ended in 1882, and his career elected after his term ended in 1882, and his career after that time serves as a poignant example of the after that time serves as a poignant example of the effects of the effects of the Jim Crow Jim Crow laws on black Southerners.laws on black Southerners.

In 1885 Thomas Sykes had owned a thriving In 1885 Thomas Sykes had owned a thriving dry goods store, Sykes, Harris, and Company. dry goods store, Sykes, Harris, and Company. However, by 1890, the first term in a decade in which However, by 1890, the first term in a decade in which there were no African Americans seated in the there were no African Americans seated in the Tennessee legislature, Thomas Sykes was working as Tennessee legislature, Thomas Sykes was working as an elevator operator at the United States Customs an elevator operator at the United States Customs House where he had once held a highly respected House where he had once held a highly respected position as an assessor/gauger.position as an assessor/gauger.

LEON HOWARDLEON HOWARDca. 1849 – March 8, 1912

A porter, janitor, & cook, he was elected to represent

Shelby County forone term as a Republican

in the 43rd Tennessee General Assembly,

1883-1884.

No photograph available

When Leon Howard unexpectedly When Leon Howard unexpectedly defeated two other black candidates, defeated two other black candidates, Norris and Price, who had been persuadedNorris and Price, who had been persuadedto run as Democrats in the 1882 election, to run as Democrats in the 1882 election, the strongly Democratic Memphis news-the strongly Democratic Memphis news-papers, which had ignored Howard’s papers, which had ignored Howard’s candidacy during the campaign, candidacy during the campaign, condescendingly referred to him as “a very condescendingly referred to him as “a very respectable representative of his race.”respectable representative of his race.”

Howard had been a laborer most of Howard had been a laborer most of his adult life, living with his mother his adult life, living with his mother and brothers until he married at 34. Heand brothers until he married at 34. Heintroduced several significant pieces ofintroduced several significant pieces oflegislation during his term. One, requestedlegislation during his term. One, requestedby Governor Bate, would create the positionby Governor Bate, would create the positionof of Assistant Superintendent of PublicAssistant Superintendent of PublicInstruction to oversee the education Instruction to oversee the education

of African American studentsof African American students. The. Thesecond sought to end racial discrimi-second sought to end racial discrimi-nation in public transportation and nation in public transportation and places of entertainment. A third billplaces of entertainment. A third billlegislated punishment for white menlegislated punishment for white menwho raped black women. All ofwho raped black women. All ofHoward’s bills were tabled or Howard’s bills were tabled or

defeated.defeated.

By the time of the 1900 censusBy the time of the 1900 censusHoward was living with his wife andHoward was living with his wife andchildren in children in Bakersfield, CaliforniaBakersfield, California,,where he was once again working as awhere he was once again working as ajanitor (a respectable and highlyjanitor (a respectable and highlysought-after job). sought-after job).

Leon Howard died in Kern County,Leon Howard died in Kern County,California, and is buried in UnionCalifornia, and is buried in UnionCemetery, Bakersfield.Cemetery, Bakersfield.

Rep. Leon Howard introduced Rep. Leon Howard introduced this bill, HB 493, on February this bill, HB 493, on February 15, 1883. It was a response to 15, 1883. It was a response to Governor Bate’s request that Governor Bate’s request that the General Assembly approve the General Assembly approve the appointment of an Assistant the appointment of an Assistant State Superintendent of Public State Superintendent of Public Instruction to oversee schools Instruction to oversee schools for African American students. for African American students. The bill passed its first and The bill passed its first and second readings and was then second readings and was then referred to the Committee on referred to the Committee on Education and Common Education and Common Schools. However, it did not Schools. However, it did not pass out of committee. Howard pass out of committee. Howard re-introduced this legislation in re-introduced this legislation in a special House session later in a special House session later in the same year, but the bill the same year, but the bill failed once again.failed once again.

Samuel A. McElweeSamuel A. McElweeJune 26, 1858 – October 21, 1914June 26, 1858 – October 21, 1914

Scholar, teacher, storekeeper, Scholar, teacher, storekeeper, and newspaperman, he was elected and newspaperman, he was elected

to represent Haywood County to represent Haywood County in the 43in the 43rdrd Tennessee Tennessee

General Assembly, 1883-1884, General Assembly, 1883-1884, while still a student at Fisk while still a student at Fisk

University.University.

Re-elected to the 44th (1885-1886)

and 45th (1887-1888) General Assemblies; Earned a law degree from Central Tennessee College in 1886, during his second term; The first African American to

serve three terms in the legislature; ANDAND The first African American to be

nominated as Speaker of the House.

Samuel A. McElwee was born a Samuel A. McElwee was born a slave in Madison County TN. Afterslave in Madison County TN. Afteremancipation his family moved to aemancipation his family moved to afarm in Haywood County, wherefarm in Haywood County, whereyoung McElwee attended young McElwee attended Freedmen’sFreedmen’sBureau schools Bureau schools part of the year. part of the year. Having been taught to read by hisHaving been taught to read by hisformer master’s children, he pro-former master’s children, he pro-gressed quickly through school, evengressed quickly through school, eventhough he had to devote much of thethough he had to devote much of theyear to farm work. By 16 he was a year to farm work. By 16 he was a teacher himself, and at 18 he attended teacher himself, and at 18 he attended Oberlin College Oberlin College for a year, paying his for a year, paying his way by washing windows, waitingway by washing windows, waitingtables, and picking fruit.tables, and picking fruit.

Later, supporting himself byLater, supporting himself byteaching and selling Bibles and patentteaching and selling Bibles and patentmedicines, he studied German, Latin,medicines, he studied German, Latin,and mathematics with a and mathematics with a VanderbiltVanderbiltstudentstudent. Accepted to . Accepted to Fisk UniversityFisk Universitywith a Peabody scholarship, he waswith a Peabody scholarship, he wasstill a student when he was elected tostill a student when he was elected tothe General Assembly in 1882 fromthe General Assembly in 1882 fromHaywood County.Haywood County. About the same time, his wifeAbout the same time, his wifedied, leaving him with two smalldied, leaving him with two smallchildren. He served two more termschildren. He served two more termsin the House, earning a law degreein the House, earning a law degree(1886) from (1886) from Central TennesseeCentral TennesseeCollegeCollege in his second term in his second term.

During his second legislative term, the 26-year-old McElwee was nomi-During his second legislative term, the 26-year-old McElwee was nomi-nated by former U.S. Senator Roderick R. Butler to be nated by former U.S. Senator Roderick R. Butler to be Speaker of the HouseSpeaker of the Houseof Representativesof Representatives, receiving 32 of the 93 votes cast. McElwee was also the, receiving 32 of the 93 votes cast. McElwee was also thefirst African American Tennessean elected to a third legislative term. first African American Tennessean elected to a third legislative term. During that third term he delivered a celebrated oration calling forDuring that third term he delivered a celebrated oration calling forstronger statutory sanctions against lynch mobs. After reminding membersstronger statutory sanctions against lynch mobs. After reminding membersof three recent Tennessee lynchings, he exclaimed: “Great God, when willof three recent Tennessee lynchings, he exclaimed: “Great God, when willthis Nation treat the Negro as an American citizen? ... As a humble repre-this Nation treat the Negro as an American citizen? ... As a humble repre-sentative of the Negro race, and as a member of this body, I stand here to-sentative of the Negro race, and as a member of this body, I stand here to-day and wave the flag of truce between the races and demand a day and wave the flag of truce between the races and demand a

reformationreformationin southern society by the passage of this bill.”in southern society by the passage of this bill.”

Despite his eloquence, the bill was tabled by a vote of 41–36.Despite his eloquence, the bill was tabled by a vote of 41–36.

The cover and first page of Samuel A. The cover and first page of Samuel A. McElwee’s bill, HB 526 (1883) to McElwee’s bill, HB 526 (1883) to

ensure fair jury selection. The bill was ensure fair jury selection. The bill was tabled by the Judiciary Committee.tabled by the Judiciary Committee.

By 1888, as he campaigned for a fourth term, Samuel By 1888, as he campaigned for a fourth term, Samuel McElwee had gained a national reputation. He had spoken McElwee had gained a national reputation. He had spoken at the Tuskegee Institute and other educational institutions; at the Tuskegee Institute and other educational institutions; chaired the state Republican Convention and represented chaired the state Republican Convention and represented Tennessee at the Chicago Republican Convention.Tennessee at the Chicago Republican Convention.

Meanwhile, white separatists in Haywood County were Meanwhile, white separatists in Haywood County were working to get rid of McElwee. As armed patrols terrorized working to get rid of McElwee. As armed patrols terrorized African American neighborhoods and blocked the ballot African American neighborhoods and blocked the ballot boxes, fearful black voters stayed away from the polls. boxes, fearful black voters stayed away from the polls. Despite lawsuits brought later by federal election officials, Despite lawsuits brought later by federal election officials, the local officials, who made no secret of the fact that they the local officials, who made no secret of the fact that they had deliberately miscounted votes, were never punished. had deliberately miscounted votes, were never punished. The 1890 General Assembly, which had no black members, The 1890 General Assembly, which had no black members, quickly passed a series of laws intended to disfranchise quickly passed a series of laws intended to disfranchise African American voters.African American voters.

McElwee and his family fled Haywood County, barely McElwee and his family fled Haywood County, barely escaping with their lives. For several years they lived in escaping with their lives. For several years they lived in Nashville, where the former legislator established a Nashville, where the former legislator established a successful law practice and a popular newspaper. McElwee successful law practice and a popular newspaper. McElwee spent his final years in Chicago as the head of a prosperous spent his final years in Chicago as the head of a prosperous law firm. law firm.

David Foote RiversDavid Foote RiversJuly 18, 1859 – July 5, 1941

A Peabody Scholarship student atRoger Williams University at the time of his election,

he represented Fayette Countyas a Republican in the 43rd

TennesseeGeneral Assembly, 1883-1884.

…….

Rivers was re-elected to the 44th

General Assembly but never took his seat, having been driven

out of Fayette County by racial violence.

David F. Rivers, about 1930David F. Rivers, about 1930

David Rivers was born inDavid Rivers was born inMontgomery, Alabama, toMontgomery, Alabama, toEdmonia Rivers, a freeEdmonia Rivers, a freewoman of color. He was woman of color. He was listed in the 1870 census inlisted in the 1870 census inhis grandfather’s his grandfather’s

SomervilleSomervilleTN household, along withTN household, along withtwo younger brothers and two younger brothers and

ananassortment of relatives andassortment of relatives andboarders. boarders. Rivers did not learn toRivers did not learn towrite until he was 19, whenwrite until he was 19, whenhe first attended highhe first attended highschool, probably in Fayetteschool, probably in FayetteCounty. Successful in hisCounty. Successful in his

studies, he was invited tostudies, he was invited toattend attend Roger WilliamsRoger WilliamsUniversity University in Nashville onin Nashville ona Peabody Scholarship. a Peabody Scholarship.

HeHewas studying for a degreewas studying for a degreein theology there when hein theology there when hewas elected to the statewas elected to the statelegislature at the age of legislature at the age of

24.24. A challenge to Rivers’A challenge to Rivers’eligibility, based on hiseligibility, based on hisperiodic absences fromperiodic absences fromFayette County to attendFayette County to attendcollege in Nashville, wascollege in Nashville, wasunsuccessful, probablyunsuccessful, probablybecause it would also havebecause it would also havemade others ineligible.made others ineligible.

Although elected to the General Assembly for a second term inAlthough elected to the General Assembly for a second term in1885-1886, Rivers never took his seat, having been driven out of1885-1886, Rivers never took his seat, having been driven out ofFayette County by what his son Francis referred to as “a large body ofFayette County by what his son Francis referred to as “a large body ofracially prejudiced whites.” However, having earned his degree inracially prejudiced whites.” However, having earned his degree intheology from Roger Williams University, he stayed on and taughttheology from Roger Williams University, he stayed on and taughtthere for two years, then preached at the Fifth Ward Baptist Church there for two years, then preached at the Fifth Ward Baptist Church

ininClarksville for some time. In 1893 he moved his family to Clarksville for some time. In 1893 he moved his family to Kansas City,Kansas City,KansasKansas, where he became pastor of the Metropolitan Baptist Church., where he became pastor of the Metropolitan Baptist Church.

In 1898 David F. Rivers was invited to In 1898 David F. Rivers was invited to Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C., to accept , to accept aa

post as pastor of the Berean Baptist Church. He served that congre-post as pastor of the Berean Baptist Church. He served that congre-gation for 43 years, until his death in 1941. His son Francis, equallygation for 43 years, until his death in 1941. His son Francis, equallydistinguished, was a member of the New York General Assembly anddistinguished, was a member of the New York General Assembly andalso held the posts of Assistant District Attorney in New York Countyalso held the posts of Assistant District Attorney in New York Countyand Justice of the City Court of New York.and Justice of the City Court of New York.

The four African

American legislators

are at lower right.

Greene E. EvansGreene E. EvansSeptember 19, 1848 – October 1,

1914

A well-educated businessmanand former teacher,

he was elected as a Republicanto the 44th Tennessee

General Assembly, 1885-1886.

A member of the original FiskJubilee Singers, he took part

in their first U.S. concert tour

in 1871-1872.

Greene Evans was borna slave in Fayette County. As a teenager he escapedfrom his master, becomingthe servant of a Union

officerin Alabama. He lived inIndianapolis after the CivilWar. There he paid a tutorpart of his $10-a-week

salaryto teach him to read. To payhis way through college, hehauled sod and gravel, andhe taught school during thesummer months in a school-house he built with his ownhands from scrap lumber.

At twenty he entered FiskUniversity, where he sangbass with the original FiskJubilee Singers, performingbefore President Grant in

theWhite House. After college,Evans worked in the whole-sale coal and wood businessand as mail agent & deputywharf-master at Memphis. Active in Republican partypolitics, this hard-workingyoung man received theparty’s nomination to runfor the legislature in 1884.

The first Fisk Jubilee Singers. The first Fisk Jubilee Singers. Greene Evans Greene Evans is seated second from leftis seated second from left..

During his single legislative term EvansDuring his single legislative term Evansintroduced bills to repeal introduced bills to repeal Chapter 130 Chapter 130 of the Acts ofof the Acts of1875, to amend the public road law in order to permit1875, to amend the public road law in order to permitfair employment of African American workers, and,fair employment of African American workers, and,supporting a request by the governor, to provide for supporting a request by the governor, to provide for an Assistant Superintendent of Public Instruction toan Assistant Superintendent of Public Instruction tooversee the education of black students. None ofoversee the education of black students. None ofEvans’s bills passed into law.Evans’s bills passed into law.

The 1900 census showed him, at the age of 51, livingThe 1900 census showed him, at the age of 51, livingwith his wife Anna in Chicago, Illinois. His occupationwith his wife Anna in Chicago, Illinois. His occupationwas listed as “coal dealer.” He died in Chicago onwas listed as “coal dealer.” He died in Chicago onOctober 1, 1914, at the age of 64October 1, 1914, at the age of 64..

William A. FeildsWilliam A. Feilds

ca. 1852 – September 9, 1898

A farmer and school teacher, he was elected as a Republican to represent Shelby County

in the 44th Tennessee General Assembly, 1885-1886.

His surname has also been spelled Feild,Field, and Fields. A prominent slave-owningfamily in West Tennessee spelled their ownsurname Feild, but many of their slaves

changedthe spelling after emancipation.

William Feilds was one of four African AmericanWilliam Feilds was one of four African AmericanAmerican legislators who had been slaves onAmerican legislators who had been slaves onplantations within a fairly small area in the south-plantations within a fairly small area in the south-west corner of Tennessee. The others were west corner of Tennessee. The others were

GreeneGreeneEvans, Monroe Gooden, and John Boyd, who wasEvans, Monroe Gooden, and John Boyd, who wasalmost certainly Feilds’ cousin.almost certainly Feilds’ cousin.

W. A. Feilds was a W. A. Feilds was a teacher and school principalteacher and school principalin the 5in the 5th th District of Shelby County when he wasDistrict of Shelby County when he waselected to the Tennessee General Assembly. Afterelected to the Tennessee General Assembly. Afterhis term in the legislature, he served as a Shelbyhis term in the legislature, he served as a ShelbyCounty County magistratemagistrate until his death. until his death.

Feilds introduced anumber of bills: tosupport compulsoryschool attendance, tooppose discriminationin public facilities, andto urge fair and honestlabor contracts. None of his bills became

law.

William C. HodgeWilliam C. Hodgeca. 1846 – ca. 1900

A man who held many jobs,including railroad agent

and jailer,he was elected to

represent Hamilton Countyin the 44th Tennessee

General Assembly, 1885-1886.

He served as a member of theChattanooga city council for

several years.

Born in North Carolina, HodgeBorn in North Carolina, Hodgeheld a number of jobs before heheld a number of jobs before hebecame a legislatorbecame a legislator:: house house

mover,mover,contractor, stone-cutter, nightcontractor, stone-cutter, nightmail transfer agent at the mail transfer agent at the

railroadrailroaddepot, alderman for the 4depot, alderman for the 4thth Ward Wardof Chattanooga, and city jailer. of Chattanooga, and city jailer.

During his term in the HouseDuring his term in the Househe introduced bills to safeguardhe introduced bills to safeguardemployment and voting rightsemployment and voting rightsand to overturn and to overturn Chapter 130 Chapter 130 ofofthe Acts of 1875, which allowedthe Acts of 1875, which alloweddiscrimination in public trans-discrimination in public trans-portation, hotels, and places ofportation, hotels, and places ofpublic amusement. All his billspublic amusement. All his billswere tabled or rejected.were tabled or rejected.

Hodge ran for the legislatureHodge ran for the legislaturein 1884, just as state in 1884, just as state

RepublicansRepublicansdeclared themselves opposed todeclared themselves opposed toblack candidates. He said it wasblack candidates. He said it wastime for white voters to gettime for white voters to get““educated up” and allow blackseducated up” and allow blacksto hold responsible positions. to hold responsible positions.

Chattanooga’s black leadersChattanooga’s black leadersreminded Republican officereminded Republican officeholders that African Americanholders that African Americanvotes were keeping them in votes were keeping them in

officeoffice(the city’s black voters out-(the city’s black voters out-numbered whites more than 3 numbered whites more than 3

toto1!), and suggested that a little1!), and suggested that a littlereciprocity would go a long way .reciprocity would go a long way .Hodge won the election, to Hodge won the election, to become the county’s first Africanbecome the county’s first AfricanAmerican representative.American representative.

The three African

American legislators are

at lower right.

Monroe W. GoodenMonroe W. Gooden10 May 1848 – 19 January 1915

The only African American Democrat in the

Tennessee legislature in the 19th Century,he was elected to

represent Fayette County in the 45th Tennessee

General Assembly, 1887-1888

……….…….

A farmer and cotton ginner near Somerville, Tennessee, Gooden and his wife Anne Baskerville were the parents of seven children. He was

a deacon in the Baptist church and amember of the Masonic order.

Black Freemasons groups have existed in the U.S. since 1775; the number of black lodges increasedsignificantly after the Civil War.

After the Civil War Gooden, whobecame quite wealthy , owned the very plantation on which he had been a slave.

Appointed to the Agriculture andFederal Relations committees, Gooden introduced a bill to ensurehonest ballot counting, but it failed.

One of the few black Democrats in

Tennessee during the 1880s, and theonly one to serve a term in the legis-lature, Gooden was the second man

torepresent Fayette County, after DavidF. Rivers. From 1830 to 1980 theFayette County population consistedof many more blacks than whites (by1865 the ratio was 2-1), yet only twoblack legislators have ever beenelected to represent the county.

Styles Linton Styles Linton HutchinsHutchins

21 November 1852 – 7 September 1950

A Chattanooga attorney, he was

elected to represent Hamilton County

in the 45th TennesseeGeneral Assembly, 1887-1888.

Styles Hutchins, Monroe Gooden, & Samuel McElwee

were the last African Americans

to serve in the General Assembly until Shelby

County Representative A. W Willis, Jr.,

was elected in 1964in 1964..

Styles Linton Hutchins was born in Lawrenceville, Georgia, in 1852. He evidently lied about his age (he was 12!) to join the Union Army in 1864. The son of a free black who had run a busyAtlanta barber shop since before the Civil War, Hutchins was one of the first black graduates of Atlanta University (1875). A year later he earned a lawdegree from the University of South Carolina and was

admittedto the South Carolina bar. Heserved briefly as a Republicanstate judge, resigning when the Democrats returned to power.

Returning to Georgia to open alaw practice, Hutchins overcameopposition from the legislature tobecome the first African Americanlawyer admitted to the Georgia barand the first to plead a case there.

In 1881, after dealing with somelegal predicaments of his own, heopened a law practice in Chatta-nooga, also becoming editor of TheIndependent Age, a popular blacknewspaper. An straight-talkingchampion of civil rights, he ran forthe state legislature in 1886,winning by a mere eight votes!

Tireless in his role as legislator, Hutchins Tireless in his role as legislator, Hutchins served on the Education and New Counties served on the Education and New Counties committees and was successful in passing committees and was successful in passing laws to repeal poll taxes in Chattanooga and laws to repeal poll taxes in Chattanooga and to prevent criminals from other states from to prevent criminals from other states from testifying in Tennessee courts. His bill to testifying in Tennessee courts. His bill to limit the use of convict labor was not limit the use of convict labor was not successful. successful.

After his legislative term, Hutchins returned After his legislative term, Hutchins returned to his busy law practice in Hamilton County.to his busy law practice in Hamilton County.

Legislator and attorney Styles L. Hutchins Legislator and attorney Styles L. Hutchins introduced HB 447 on February 12, 1887, in introduced HB 447 on February 12, 1887, in an attempt to better regulate the work and an attempt to better regulate the work and confinement of convicts. Referred to the confinement of convicts. Referred to the Committee on Penitentiary after its second Committee on Penitentiary after its second reading, the bill was tabled in committee.reading, the bill was tabled in committee.

In 1906 Hutchins was involved in one of the most famous lynchingcases in history. Hired to appeal the rape conviction of a black mannamed Ed Johnson, Hutchins and law partner Noah W. Parden carriedthe appeal to the Supreme Court, who agreed to hear it and issued astay of execution. That very night, however, a mob broke into theHamilton County jail, with the help of the sheriff, dragged Johnson outand hanged him from a bridge.

Hutchins and Parden immediately urged federal officials to file suitagainst the sheriff and the mob. In a precedent-setting case, theSupreme Court found Sheriff Shipp and others guilty of contempt ofcourt. After serving a brief sentence, Shipp returned home to a hero’swelcome, while Hutchins and Parden , fearing for their lives, took theirfamilies and fled from Tennessee. In 1910 Hutchins was practicing lawin Peoria, Illinois; the 1920 Census lists him as the owner-operator of abarber shop. He died in Mattoon, Illinois, in 1950 . . . at the age of 98!

Jesse M. H. GrahamJesse M. H. Graham8 February 1864 – 25 July 1930

A Republican newspaper editor, elected to represent Montgomery Countyin the 50th Tennessee

General Assembly, 1897-1898

A challenge of his eligibility to hold A challenge of his eligibility to hold the office was successful, the office was successful,

and the House of Representativesand the House of Representativesdeclared his seat vacant declared his seat vacant

on 20 January 1897.on 20 January 1897. This portrait of Jesse Graham appeared This portrait of Jesse Graham appeared in the Louisville in the Louisville Courier JournalCourier Journal on on

November 15, 1896November 15, 1896

Jesse M. H. Grahamattended public schools inMontgomery and Davidsoncounties. In 1881 he won aPeabody Scholarship to attendFisk University, where he was known as “a phenomenon in mathematics. After teachingschool in Kentucky for a time,he worked as a postal clerk inLouisville, Kentucky, andClarksville, Tennessee. In

1895he was named editor of theClarksville Enterprise, anAfrican American newspaper.

In 1896 he became the firstblack legislator elected in tenyears, but an opponent filed aprotest regarding Graham’seligibility to hold the seatbecause of a period of absencefrom his home county. Hewas provisionally seated onJan. 4, 1897, while the ElectionsCommittee debated the issue.When the committee declaredboth Graham & his opponentineligible to serve, the GeneralAssembly passed a resolutiondeclaring the seat vacant.

During the Spanish AmericanWar he served in the Philippinesand seems to have stayed on

thereas a clerk in the U.S. Bureau ofAudit. At the beginning of the firstWorld War the U.S. Armycommissioned more than 1,200African American officers. Theonly training camp set upexclusively for black officers

was in Fort Des Moines, Iowa. JesseGraham was one of the 638men who graduated from officertraining in that program. Commissioned as a secondlieutenant in the Army on October 15, 1917, Graham was Assigned to the 317th Engineers.

Honorably discharged at war’s

end, he returned to Tennessee.Once again making his home inClarksville, he served as an

officerof St. Peter’s African MethodistEpiscopal Church there andhelped to found American

LegionPost No. 143.

He later took a position withthe U.S. Federal Government inWashington, D.C., where he wasresiding at the time of the 1930census. He died in 1930 and isburied at Arlington NationalCemetery.

Contemporary sources havesuggested that Graham’s father,Monroe, was the natural son of Governor Sam Houston.

by Kathy B. Lauder, Archival Technical Services,

with the generous assistance of

• Dr. Tommie Brown, State Representative, District 28• James Castro, TSLA Digital Work Group• Riley Darnell, Tennessee Secretary of State• Irene Griffey, Certified Genealogist• Dr. Robert E. Hunt, Department of History, Middle Tennessee State

University• John Marshall, Judicial Commissioner/Historian, Shelby County• Karina McDaniel, State Photographer, Preservation Services, TSLA• Vincent McGrath, Legislative History Coordinator, TSLA• C. Michael Norton, Attorney at Law• Ronald Peaks, TSLA Digital Work Group• Tim Pulley, Director, Brown Harvey Room, Montgomery County Library• Carol Roberts, Director of Preservation Services, TSLA• Jeanne Sugg, Tennessee State Librarian and Archivist

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