Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-11-22

Biographical Sketches Of Members OF
the Legislature.
BRANDON

Biographical Sketches Of Members OF
the Legtsiature.
SENATOR BRANDON.
Hon. Nathan Brandon, Senator elect
from the seventeenth Senatorial district,
composed of the counties Of Robertson,
Montgomery and Stewart, was born in
Stewart county, Tenn, and is now 81 years
of age. He was engaged In the mercantile
business from the time Of his becoming Of
age until he arrived at the age Of thirty-f
st which time he commenced the study of
the law. By hard study and strict atten-
ton to business he has won for himself a
position at the bar inferior to no one in
bis judicial district, which by the way
boasts of having one of the most learned
and able bars in the State. At the COM
mencement of the agitation Of the seces-
sion of the State Of Tennessee from the
Federal Union in 1861, Col. Bran
don took bold and decided grounds
in favor of the Union and against
Secession, and became . candidate
to represent his native county in the Cor
ventlon then called to take the question Of
secession into consideration. BE was
elected by a large majority over bis
opponent, who advocated the secession Of
the State, but majority Of the people of
tie State having voted against the PROPOSE
ton Of holding the Convention, it was
never assembled. When, however, the
Legislature passed an set calling for State
troops, Col. Brandon, seeing that there
was no longer any hope of preserving the
Union, and that every citizen would be
compelled 10 take up arms either for or
against the South, he no logger hesitated,
but ct once raised company Of infantry,
and joined the 14th Tennessee Regiment,
then organizing at ClNksyiile. Upon
The organization of the regiment
Captain Brandon was elected Major,
ard went with the regiment to Vir-
gInia. After serving as Major for few
months hs was promoted TO the Lieutenant
Colonelcy, which position be filed with
great credit to himself as well as to his COM
mand. Col. Brandon was with his regl-
n ent in Virginia when he learned that
battle was imminent al Fort, DOnelsop,
lich was within few hGatlred yards of
his home. Obtaining Leave Of absence
from his command in Virginia, he started
Immediately for Fort Donelson, arriving
there jlst as the battle commenced, and
not even taking time 10 visit his
fsmly, then With.n a few hundred
yards of him, he reported at once
to Gen. Pillow for Ga'y, and as aid
10 that officer was in the
hottest of the. battle. During tie
engagement Colonel Brandon received
seven different wounds, but never dis
mounted from his horse until final sur
| render was ordered, when lie rode to a
nsighboring house, where be went to bed
and had his wounds dressed. So severe
ere some of his wounds that it Twas sew
al months before he was able to leave
bis room. He was elected and served as
member of the Legislature Of 1865 and
1866, and opposed with all his ability the
franchise law of that body. He was a
member Of the Constitutional Convention
| Of 1870, and represented his present districa
in the Senate of 1871 and 1872.
In the late canvass Colonel Brandon ran
as Democrat, supporting the entire Demo
cratic ticket, and urging upon the people
tie Importance of thorough organization.
He is prominently spoken Of as Speaker Of
Il g incoming Senate. His postofice is
Dover, Stewart County.
REPRESENTATIVE PERKINS.
Hon. G. G. Perkins, Representative elect
f. ON the county of Madison, was bern IN
Warren county, Tenn, in the year 1896,
and is now Al years of age. In 1892 he
moved with his father 10 Giles county,
| y here he received his education. In 1915
b. moved to Madison county and engaged
in the occupation Of farming. By strict
e3onomy and hard work he had accumnlat-
ed considerable property before the war,
amongst which was quite a number of
slaves. He was elected Sheriff Of Madi-
son county in 1866, which position he held
| until 1870, when he again returned TO. his
farm few miles from Jackson. In tie
late canvass he made the race as a Republic
en-, and was elected as such. He has, how
ever, always been very consistent in his
views, believing in equal and exact justice
to all men, ana free ballot to the Confed-
crate ss well as to the Federal. Mr.. PeIk-
ins is by no means an office seeker, and be-
cine a candidate only at the earnest soil
citation of his personal friends. His post
fice is Jackson.
REPRESENTATIVE HUGHES.
Hon. A. NJ. HUGHES, j., Representative
elect from The county of Maury, was born
and has always lived in. the county to be
represented by him. He is noB 5ehly p
years of age aud has already magse quite q
reputation as lawyer. and If no unfore-
seen event takes place, he'wiil=at sgaH' day
rank amongst the highest in his PIC lssssaaa
Mr.. Hughes, although quite a boy, ees2s
only 10 years of age, volunteered as a F.7-
yate soldier,in the cavalry ssF7tse Of Ias
Confederate army, sIt} served Ga5la5 the
entire war IN tie comthat5a II @aa. For
st. He was a. some e1aga eaSgs@ga2 10y
Federal troops aud sent as q gTeoneF ID
Camp Morton, where he vas offered dis
charge upon taking an oath q lI7gisaeo 20
the United States government. Tbjo, hog
ever. he refused 10 ase and re-
manned in .pcison unsls regularly
exchanged, whea h again gsje.ned Lis
command. InEths. late canvass IA mO6e
Inc race as an independent DelnoeEat, and
was elected as sacFh he is, however, q
thorough Democfa aad IL making his
canvass for the I5egisla,gFs, nc had Ise in
ares. of Nj. Johnson "a ass HEud more