Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1893-06-08
Hon. Thomas A. r. Nelson.

Hon. Thomas A. II. Nelson.
Albert d. Marks,of the Nashville Bar,
thus writes in the Green bag of one
of Jonesboro's former distinguished
citizens:
Thomas Amos Rogers Nelson was
born in Roane County, Tennessee,
March 10, 1912. His father afterward
moved to Knoxville and here the son
entered the East Tennessee College,
graduating when sixteen years old.
He studied law under Chancellor
Thomas L. Williams, and, being ad-
mitted to practice, opened an office at
Elizabethton, practicing over the first
circuit, which lay in upper East Ten
nessee. Inthe 1888 Governor Carroll
appointed him Attorney General for
that circuit, andtthe Legislature twice
elected him to the same Office. In 1874
he was a district elector for Henry
Clay, and in lS48 for Zachary Taylor.
In 1861 President Fillmore rendered him
the position of commissioner of the
United States to China, to succeed Hon.
Caleb Gushing hut he declined it. In
1858 he was elected to Congress, de-
feated Landon C. Haynes, n of East
Tennessee's most brilliant lawyers.
Upon entering Congress, the fact that
he was serving his first term was not
suffered to obscure his talents but he
took an active part in the contest over
the organization that ended in the
election OF William Pennington as
speaker. He made great reputation as
o powerful debater. The London Times
published in full his speech on the
organization of the house, prOnOuncing
it 1.-THE finest forensic effort of Ameri-
can law givers." He was an adherent
of the Union. The vote that carried
secession in the State came from Mid
die and West Tennessee. East Ten
nessee had opposed 1t by a large ma
jority. And after it was apparent the
State would secede, a Union Conven'
ton met at Knoxville on May 30, 1861,
of which Mr.. Nelson was President,
and which declared its fealty to The
United States, and passed a resolution
looking to the formation of n new
State. In August following, an cleo
ton was held in East Tennessee districts
for congressman, and Mr.. Nelson wal
returned from the first district. Tit
| members so elected were admitted t.
Congress. He continued an activ,
Union man until the wal was at al
, end. After peace was restored, h
had in his heart none of the bitterness
that characterizes the men whom tn
chance of war had put over the con
/ quered people of his State. 1t mean
{ a certain loss of the POLITICAL prestig
@ his eminent services in behalf ofth
Union had won for him but he too
a bold stand against the oppressiv
~ measures that were proposed and Gu
) ried into effect. Because of his hig
l. character and ability, he proved to
T. of greater service to the nnfortunaI
q people of this State than any one mai
3. When the attempt was made to remoy
President johnson by Impeachment
his sentiments were in accord wit
those of tue President, and Nv. NelsO
undertook his defense, along with Il
is other distinguished counsel retaine
n by the President.
10 The services of Mr.. Nelson to ii
x people of his State we're recognized b
& his election to the supreme bench
u the State in 1870.
Judicial work did not prove cong
n NAL to him. His mind was not of th'
a cast. He was an advocate rather tina
! a Judge. The work proving irksom
he resigned in December, 1871, aft
little more than a years service. L
was succeeded by Robert McFarlan'
Judge Nelson died August "a, 1878,
Cholera, then epidemic at Knoxvill
the place OF his residence.
4. The divorced wife, Of James