Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-08-01
LEGAL LIGHTS.
NashyIIIe's Lawyers Of the OIdea
Time.
Ill.

| Oliver Ii. HAYES was one Of the most
prominent Of the lawyers who came 10
| Nashville when the pEesent century was
| Young. lie commanded a large practice,
and was a maR Of considerable eIOquence
! as a public speaker. Toward the close of
his life, re abandoned the legal profession
and was ordained minister Of the PTesby-
terrain Church.
David Craighead, the father Of James b.
and Thomas Craighead. moved from MauTy
county to Nashville about the year 1925,
and soon after acquired an enyiable reputa-
ton rs lawyer, building up a lucrative
practice. In 1885, he was elected to repre-
sent this county in the Legislature. He
was noted for his genial, social qualities.
His death occurred a few years before the
war.
Jenkins Whitesides acquired wealth and
fame in this city some sixty years since,
when his superior abilities as a land law
yer met with proper recognition, and found
a fine fsld Of operation. In lS22 he made
a visit to Alabams for the purpose Of look
inc after some iron Interests in that Stale,
contracted fever and died before reaching
home.
Judge Nathaniel p. Baxter, Sr., was born
in Davidson county. His parents removing
TO Maury odttrtY while he was quite young,
he studied law in Inst county, was admit
ted to the har aud was so successful ii his
profession that he was appointed Attorney
General Of the district composed o.
Maury, Marshall and Giles cOun-
ties. In 1S4S he came to Nash
vile and was soon after appointed
By GOF. Campbell Circuit Judge TO ell the
vacancy caused BY tbs resignation Of Judge
Nancy. This position Re continued TO
hold, by subsequent elections, until the
beginning Of the war, at which time he
" ent South. Returning in 1865, he en-
tered upon the practice 81 his profession,
and in 1870 was again elected Judge % the
Circuit Court, which position he nov
holds. He and Neil ;. Brown served to-
gether in the Florida war in the regiment
Of which Judge Guild was Lieutenant
Colonel.
In 1881 Edwin II. Ewing was admitted
TO practice a profession which has been
ennJbled by some Of the most talented men
Of all ages, and which has lost nothing at
his hands. He is a Native Of Davidson
county, and was, and is yet, considered one
Of the first lawyers Of Tennessee.
He has achieved a high reputation
in the Chancery Court, and is one Of
the most effective Of advocates in jury cases.
Ills advice in intricate suits is frequently
solicited. though he does not now devote
all his time TO legal pursuits. He is now
resident of Rutherford county.
James Campbell was, in years gone BY,
shining light in Nashvilles legal fraternity.
He was distinguished especially as a crimi-
nal LAWYER. His son, Maj. Campbell, was
a lieutenant in the United States navy at
the beginning Of the war, and joined his
fortunes with those Of the South. At the
c'Ose Of the war he went to Egypt where he
accepted a position rendered him by the
Khelive. which position he still holds. 10
will I've remembered that he had difficulty
a few years since with Ben Buffers nephew
George III. Butler-WhO was United
States Minister 10 Egypt.
Fold BulliOn''-OtheTwiSe Thomas ii. |
BentOn-studied law in Nashville when /
Young man, and rose to eminence IN his |
profession. lie served one term in the |
! Legislature, where he secured the passage of /
4 law reformingthe judicial system, and an
other giving slaves the benefit Of trial by /
jury. He and Jackson were warm personal
friends. and when Jackson was Major Cen /
eral of the State militia, Benton was one /
Of his aids. This friendship was severed,
however, q rupture occurring between
them. in which pistols were used with l
bloody effect. As is well known, Col.
Benton removed 70 st. Louis, where he
published paper for a short time, and az
forwards became prominent in Missouri
politics. and served that State for long
period of years in the United States Senate.