Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-12-19

Our Lebanon special gives fuil and IN
teresting report Of the action taken by the
Democratic Congressional Convention in
the Fourth District, at Hartsville, on
Thursday and yesterday. Never was such
important work committed TO better hands,
never more thoroughly and faithfully done.
An win now be well. The lamented Head
viii have successor worthy of the eonstit-
uency whom an untimely death prevented
from serving them in the next Congress.
Judge Fife was born and reared in De-
Kalb county, and is now fifty-six years Of
age. He received his education at Clinton
College, in Smith county, under the able
tuition of DIR. Frank Gordon and Judge
James B. Moores. His father, Jacob Fife,
was successful merchant and farmer Of
DeKalb county. Graduating with distinc-
ton, Judge Fife spent several years as a
teacher at Enon College, Sumner county.
As tutor, he was distinguished for his
learning, perseverance, and kindly dispo-
sition.
After having studied law, he soon raised
himself to prominent position in the pro-
fession. he removed to Carthage, entered
into law partnership with the late Gov.
w. B. Campbell, and continued to practice
with him until ls47, when Gov. Campbell
was elected Circuit Judge.
In AS49, Judge Fife was elected State
Senator from Summer and Smith counties,
and in 1852 served as Presidential Elec-
tor on the Scott ticket. On the
death of Judge John L. Goodall,
in 1853, he was appointed Circuit
Judge by the Governor. At the election
which followed, he was retained on the
bench by large majority, and held the
position until the breaking out of the war.
In the spring of 1869, on the elevation Of
Judge Andrew Mclean to the Supreme
bench, Judge Fite was appointed by Gov.
Senter to ill the vacancy. Soon after an
election was ordered, and he was again re-
elected by handso me majority. After the
adoption of the new Constitution another
election was held, and in 1870 he was re-
elected for the third time. As he was
chosen for term of eight years, he would
have had three years yet to serve. He has
filed the position to the entire satisfaction
of the bar and the people.
In the late Gubernatorial canvass, Judge
Fife was prominent candidate for Gov
ernor before the Democratic Convention.
BE is as successful in farming as he has
been at the bar, and during the war gave
his personal attention to the tillage of the
soil. He sympathised strongly with the
South, and in 1853 was imprisoned by Gen.
PAYNE FOR his adherence to her cause. He
now resides on his farm on the Cumber-
land river, three and half miles below
Carthage.
For a great many years, Judge Fite has
been an exemplary member of the Methodist
Church, is married, and has an interesting
family. He belongs to a family of long
standing in the district, being one of seven
brothers, all of whom have stood high in
their respective vocatiOns as merchants,
farmers or lawyers. Since the death of
Judge Alb. Caruthers, who spent most Of
his life in that district, and who was con-
ceded by the Bar of the State during his
life to be the best Common Law lawyer
and Judge in Tennessee, or perhaps in the
country Judge Fife has been regarded by
the same people as his worthy successor in
learning and ability and in uprightness and
modesty. He commands the universal con-
fidence and respect of the people of the
district, and will make an able and faith
full Representative in the next Congress.