Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-12-01

/ AUAU CQAAUlLAAtols ~ - a
tanning the conventional rate Of interest,
entertains moderate views upon all cues
tons, end bis aim win be to do the most
to the greatest number. Colonel Cole
man will command the respect Of all
parties. and doubtless make a useful
aud influential member OF the incoming
Legislature.
T. }. FISHER, JR.; OF SMITH.
Thomas jefferson Fisher, the Repre-.
sentative from Smith county, is the Oldest
son of James c. Fisher, deceased. de
was born February q, ls47, on Walkers
crack, in the southern portion of Smith
county, on territory which now belongs
to DeKalb county. His father was a
small farmer on said creek, worth about
$500 before the late war. Bsing a poor
man aud having a large family to sup
port he early trained his son 10 labor on
the farm, where he kept him employed
almost constantly until he was nineteen
years of age. BE was taught the shoe
makers trade by his father, which be
afterwards followed in the winter season
and of rainy days, to gain a few cents Of
pocket change, most OF which he spent
for books. His education up to the age
Of uiReteen.consisted of such as he could
pick up in the free schools in the neigh
borhood, which we're very inferior in
character. AT the age Of eighteen he
had learned 10 read, write and cipher
"as far as the Single Rule Of Three" 10
Davies Common School Arithmetic.
During his eighteenth year be went to
school 10 the fall aud commenced the
study of English grammar, geography
AMI natural philosophy, bat merely com-
menced. In the winter Of 1865 he ap
preached his father and manifested a
desire to prosecute his education further
aud craved ais fathers assistance to en-
| able him to attend a better school than
the country afforded. His father replied
that he had done as much for him al he
would be able to do for his other children,
of whom he had twelve in all-seven sons
and FIVE daughters. His father, however,
desiring to crafty the ambition which
his son manifested for Information aad
education, told him be would set him free
and give him q chance to acquire an
educ .tion if he was able to work his own
way. he agreed he would stand his sons
security for part Of q session, aud wait
until he could make the money and pay
hi II back, in the fall Of 1866. His son
was keen to get wen that assistance, and
went in search Of a school. He went to
N " Middleton Institute, at that time a
vsry good school, and aiterward greatly
improved, aud now one of the best
s~chotlSin the State. Here be made ar
ran rements to attend school in the spring
of 1856. He entered after the school had
been in progress Two weeks. He contin,
uei his studies WITH assidsous toll uni
the end Of the session, a period of four
months aud a half. he then went home
and taught school three months during
the summer and fall. After this be wen
back two months to New Middleton, hsv'
in made money enough, after paying
back his father, to pay his board ant
tuition two months. he then made ~
; aaolber school 10 the country, where h'
ta1ght during the year 1861. Attha com
mencsment Of the spring term Of the
school in 1853, be re-entered at New Mid
dleton. where be continued for two year
! in Succession. Here he prosecuted hi
studies With much ardor. He studies
, Latin and Greek and the higher natht
mates, together with the usual routine 0
other studies in a collegiate course. A
= the end Of the year 1869 be found hi
> funds again exhausted and himself il
debt for board and tuition for five months
h Throu Ii the assistance Of his professor
r.. J. P. Hamilton and N. J. Finney, h
= procured a school at Shop Springs, i
: Wilson county, where he again con
mere, ID teaching in 1870. Hore be ha
n a good school, which he taught Gftee
% lnths, during which time he prosecute
. his studies, and had an opportunity
review nearly all the books which he ha
gone over before. After having inishe
!. his third term Of Eve months at Sho
- Spring., be returned to New Middleto
and completed his course aud had COME
red Oh him the degree Of Bachelor Of Art
d. During his attendance at this school b
a, frequently occupied the place of one
the professors, in cases Of absence
to sickness, at the request Of the faculty.
%, After having completed his course
=. SC iool, he continued TO teach until ia
~ uary, 1873. During this time he taug
a at Campbell Institute and at CarthaR
% his present residence. In the meantir
;. he had termin ned to study law, an
\. read sev .ral books while teaching, col
- mencing in the summer Of 1871. AT
>. he went to Carthage he read under q
-, W. Il. Dewitt, who now resides a. Chi
on tanooga. he procured license to prs
a tiee early in 1873. and settled down
,ss Carthage. In July, 1873, he was elect
nd superintendent of public schools Of smi
~, county, which Office be filed until Jan
ate cry, 1875.