The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1908-09-10
SENT TO CONGRESS.
BroWnIoW Eighteenth
to Represent District
TWO BECAME PRESIDENT.
One is Now in the United
States Senate-Their
Notable Careers.
Selden Nelson in Knoxville Sentinel.

From an historical standpoint the
First congressional district of Tennes-
see has furnished more prominent men
than has any other district in the state.
While some have reached the pinnacle
of fame, after leaving the district, the
foundations of their character were
made in the First district. Andrew
Jackson won his first honors in Wash
ington county; Andrew johnson In
Greene county, and Senator Taylor and
Congressman Brownlow in Washington
county. These men, except Senator
Taylor, commenced their public careers
in an elective position in their respec-
tive counties. Taylor commenced his
career with seat in congress. They
rose from obscurity except Taylor. Two
have reached the highest Office in the
gift of the nation. Two are in line for
promotion.
In presenting the names of men who
haye held the position of congressman
from the First district of Tennessee, the
writer will now attempt to give COM
pete review of their services, but will,
so far as he knows, give the politics,
the mannerisms and nicknames Of each
man, and the years he served in the ma
tional house Of representatives.
While Tennessee was yet territory,
Judge James White, of Knoxville, was
her representative from 1893 to 1895;
Andrew Jackson was the Tennessee
representative from December, 1896, to
November, 1897, when William 9. O..
Claiborne took his seat. Mr.. Claiborne
continued in office until 1901, when
William Dickson was his successor. In
1903 Tennessee was allowed two addi-
tional congressman and was divided
into three congressional districts.
JOHN RHEA.
John Rhea, a resident of Sullivan
county, was the first congressman tc
represent the First district, and he con
tinued in Office longer than has any one
OF his successors. He was first elected
in 1903, and was continuously reelected
until 1915, when the president appoint
ed him commissioner to treat with the
Choctaw Indians on some importan
measure then pending. Mr.. Rhea wal
reelected to congress in 1917, and serv
ed until 1923, when he retired. JohI
Rhea was the bachelor congressman o
the First district. His specially wa
pensions for the revolutionary soldier
He died in 1882, and is buried q
Blountville, Tenn. Mr.. Rhea was il
Tennessee legislature previous to hi
election to congress, and was Jackson
democrat.
JUDGE SAMUEL POWELL.
Judge Samuel Powell, of Hawkin
county, was elected to congress fror
the First district in 1916. He serve
two years. He belonged to the iudici
ary of the state, both before and afte
his term in congress. He died abou
1887 and is buried near Rogersville.
JOHN BLAIR.
John Blair, the third congressman I
represent the First district, was Dor
in Washington county in 1893. He ha
experience in the state legislature. Nj
Blair was elected to congress in 1928 &
a Jackson or Jefferson democrat, an
continued to represent the First col
gressional district until 1885. Mr. Bla
was elected in 1949 to represent Wasl
ington county in the state legislator
as an advocate of the East Tennesst
and Virginia railroad. Mr.. Blair, viii
in congress, advocated pensions for Il
revolutionary soldiers, aud intern
improvements. He was also stror
advocate of the government bulldir
public roads. Mr.. Blair was know
to distinguish him from others Of Il
same name, as "Congressman Jof
Blair " and Honest john" He dit
at Jonesboro, July 9, 1868, and is bun
ed there.
GEN. WILLIAM B. CARTER.
Gen. William B. Carter was born
Garter county. The congressional /
ography gives Gen. Carter's birth
1912, but this is mistake, as the auth
of that book probably confused Ge
Carter's birth with that OF Rev. W.
Carter, who died few years since ne
Elizabethton. Gen. Carter was o
enough to serve in the war of 1919, a.
he held some official position in th
war. Gen. VIM. B. Garter was electe
asa whig, in 1885 to the twenty-four
congress, and continued in office IN
1s4l. when he refused to serve longt
He died near Elizabethton, April
ls4s, aud is buried there. Gen. Cart