Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-12-23
Biographical Sketch of Those Elected
to the FOrty-frst General Assem-
bly, Of Tennessee.

u lIb IUIly-M % OOlOt nooNm
bly, of Tennessee.
The constitution of the State pro-
yides that the general assembly shall
meet every two years, on the first
Monday in January, and shall be paid
at the rate of four dollars per day, but
not for a longer period than seventy
FIVE days. This practically limits the
biennial sessions to seyenty-fve days.
There are one hundred members,
TWENTY-FIVE in the senate and seventy
FIVE in the house. Shelby county
elects or has an interest in ten mem
bers. We have two senators and six
representativesfro from Shelbyand in con-
junction with Fayette and Upton
elect a.senator from the Twenty-third
district, and with Fayette unite in the
election of a representative called a
foater to the lower house. 1t happens
for the fsst time that Shelby county
furnishes ten members-three senators
and seven representatives Or one-
tenth Of the entire legislature.
By way of introducing this delega-
ton to the rest of the legislature and
to the public we propose to give a
short biographical sketch of each
member, beginning with
The Senators.
J. ". CLAPP (Democrat).
This gentleman is one Of the lead
ing lawyers and strong minds of Mem
phis rather small Of stature, but 1.-THE
and active. modest and unassum-
inC. He has a remarkably clear head,
and nearly always surprises q jury or
an audience with his Outbursts Of elO-
ouence and solid logic.
Colonel Clspp Eas born in Abing-
don. Va. graduated at Hampton, Sid
ney College. Va. in 1895; obtained
law license in 1885, and removed to
Holly Springs. Miss, in 1871, where
he engaged in the practice Of law. and
subsequently took an active part In
the politics Of the State. He was
married in 1913 became prominent in
local affairs and politics, and filed
various positions Of honor and trust,
including a seat in the legislature; was
a member Of the State convention Of.
1861, which adopted the ordinance Of
secession. and was elected to the Con
federate congress in 1862, where he
served with credit and distinction.
After the close of the war he removed
to Memphis, in 1865, where has he en-
joyed a lucrative practice at the bar
and built up a handsome fortune, and
educated a large and interesting
family of sons and daughters. Since
the war he has not been a candidate
for any Office, although he was one Of
the Tilden electors in 1876, and has
frequently been an active participant
in public affairs. When elected to the
senate in November he was absent
from the city, and like most of the
Others he was elected by the people of
all parties without solicitation or
seeking on his part. Being a fluent
speaker and forcible reasoner he will
be an able man on the floor or on com
mittees.
G. A. HANSON (Democrat)
was born near Bolivar, Hardeman
county, Tenn, in 1884; was left an
orphan at an early age acquired a
fair education by his W efforts, and
began to read law when quite young. In
1919 he came to Memphis and studied
under Rivers, Sneed a. Murfee, and
was afterward admitted to the bar.
In 1860 he removed to Des Are, Ark.
whore he followed his profession
When the war broke out he Joined the
Confederate army and served faith.
fully until the surrender. Since the
war he has practieed law in Memphi,
and carried on a farm in the country
In 1874 he became city attorney. un
der Mayor Leagues administration
and Glled the position with ability
but resigned before the end Of hi,
term. Since then he has not helC
Office. He is a polished gentleman, q
patient investigator, a sound thinker
a bright scholar and a good lawyer
He will represent the interests of tn,
people with fidelity and integrity, Blu.
in everything will be guided by {
sense of duty.
B. G. BIEDsoE Democrat)
represents the Twenty-third district
composed of Shelby, Fayette and Tin.
ton counties. He was born in m,
town of Macedonia, Carroll county
Tennessee, in 1888. His father wa,
Haywood Bledsoe, a farmer Of tina.
county. He completed his education
at Bethel College in 1854, and afte
that engaged in agriculture. In 1876
he removed to Collierville, Shelb
county, and has lived there ever sine
except while in the Confederate arm,
He was elected justice Of the peace i
1876. and is a member Of the Shelb
county Quarterly Court. Before tn
war he was a Wing, since then a con
sentative Democrat. In 1871 he wa
elected chairman Of the county Demo