Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1874-12-05
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

We copy the following biographies
sketches of our distinguished towns
man, Gen. w. A. Quarles, and Mitch
ell Trotter, formerly of this county
now of Humphreys, from the Nash.
vile Commercial Reporter:
Hon. w. A. Quarles.
! Gen. VIM. A. Quarles, of Montgom.
cry, Senator elect from the 18th dis
trict, composed of the counties of Rob-
fertson, Montgomery aud Stewart, was
born in Louisa county, Va, on the 4th
day of July, 1S25iand is therefore for
ty-nine years of age. His father, G..
NJ. Quarles, removed from the State of
Virginia in the year 1881, and settled
In Christian county, KY, and Mont
gomery county, Tenn, his plan
tation lying partly in both Counties
In 1913 Gen. Quarles graduated with
distinction at the University of Vir-
glnia, Immediately thereafter he locat-
ed in Clarksville and began the prac-
tice of law with his brother, Gen. Jas.
NJ. Quarles. His energy and ability
soon placed him in the same rank with
the older members of the Clarksville
bar, composed of the Johnsons, Boyd,
Martin, Allen and others-a bar not
inferior in ability to any in the State.
He has without any intermissIon con-
tinued the practice of the law, except
during the pending of the war between
the States. As lawyer he ranks with
the first, and as an advocate he has
probably no superior in the State. He
has never occupied, nor sought, but
once-sO far as we know-an Othc al
position, although he has never failed
to respond to any call made by his
party to fight the political battles of its |
enemies. In 1852 he made an active |
aud efficient canvass of his congress
sional district as the Pierce electOr,
and in 1858, at the earnest solicitation |
of his party friends, he led what was
known to be the forlorn hope against
Gen. Zollicoffer in his district for con-
gress. The former majorities of Gen.
Zollicoffer were much reduced, and 1t /
was believed Quarles would have been
elected had not the illness of Gen. Zol-
licoffer's family compelled him to
a lbandon the canvass at an early stage.
And Gen. Quarles generously abstained
from canyassing further, an act of gen.
erosity that won for him the warm re-
yard of Gen. Zollicotfer, which lasted
ill his death. When war was declared
between the States, and was begun,
zen. Quarles, although he was warm
livocate of the union of the States,
oined his fortunes with those of his
leighbors, friends and kindred, and
vas in war, as he had been in peaceful
pursuits, consistent, persistent and
aithful to the end. At the close of
he war he returned to his home and
set about improving his shat
cred fortunes, but never losing sight
# the interests of those among whom
lie lived; and when trouble was brew
ng, his voice was always heard coun-
cling peace, patience, law and order
fact appreciated by all of whatever
,arty or race who live in the same COM
nunity with him. In 1870, when the
party again came into pow
r in the State, he was candidate for /
he nomination for Governor with
air prospect Of success, and made a :
anvass of the State in the interest of ,
'arty organization, doing much to re- +,
eem the democratic party from its j
hen demoralized and disorganized con- ,
itiOn. 1t became apparent, however, .
'efore the meeting of the nominating )
that there was great danger
f disorganization and divisions in the ,
arty, by reason of the number Of as
irants for the office, each having his /.
articular friends who we're Jealous In
is support Gen. Quarles, desiring to
ee the organization of the party for !
Thich he had so earnestly labored un-
impaired, with that unselfishness
7hich has always characterized his ac- ;
ions, withdrew from the canvass, thus ;
ielding any personal views he enter :
aimed to what he conceived to be the !,
interests of his party, although i was
ertainly much indebted to his eff lrts 3
nd labors, for its unity and organiza-
ion. Again in 1872, when disseusion
INVADED the party, General Quarles A
lade canvass of the State, nomi-
ally as the Greely Elector, but really {
q the interests of party organization {
nd unity, for he believed principle !
ould only triumph through party, and I
arty only by unity of action More :
ecently he has been called to the State !
enate, the only Office he has ever held, :
y the unanimous voice of full dis
rict convention. |
1t argues well for the State when !
uch men are called into its counsels, :
nd for the Democratic party when !
uch representatives are chosen. Able, s
onest and laborious, his services will :
G valuable. And it is by no means :
Improbable that the legislature will see {
t to honor him with the high position
f United States Senator; for although z
e has never announced himself or I
iade a1y canvass in his own interests q
S a candidate, the press throughout /
be State have called attention to him 5
5 one eminently fitted to be sent as
he representative of Tennessee to the !
congress of the United States. And 5
he democratic party by so doing might >
O credit to the State and at the same !
ime repay debt due from it for the :
abors of Gen. Quarles in its interests /;
Hon Mitchell Trotfer 5