John W. Childress
John Whitsett Childress | |
|---|---|
| Attorney General Pro Tempore of Tennessee | |
| In office 1829–1831 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 1, 1807 Sumner County, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | October 6, 1884 (aged 77) Murfreesboro, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Resting place | Evergreen Cemetery |
| Spouse(s) |
Sarah Josey Williams
(m. 1831)Mary E. Phillips (m. 1852) |
| Children | 12, including Elizabeth Childress Brown |
| Relatives | Sarah Childress Polk (sister) |
| Education | University of North Carolina |
| Occupation | banker lawyer politician |
John Whitsett Childress (June 1, 1807 – October 6, 1884) was an American banker, lawyer, and politician.
Early life
Childress was born in Sumner County, Tennessee, on June 1, 1807, to Joel Childress and Elizabeth Whitsett.[1] In 1819, the family moved to Murfreesboro. His sister, Sarah Childress, married James K. Polk, who became the Governor of Tennessee and then President of the United States.[2]
He graduated from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.[2]
Career
After graduating from college, Childress was admitted to the Tennessee Bar.[2] In 1829, he was elected Tennessee Attorney General Pro Tempore. Along with practicing law, he farmed on his estate in the Shelbyville Pike and served as director of the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, as director of the Bank of Tennessee, as president of the First National Bank of Murfreesboro, and as president of the Planter's Bank of Tennessee.[2]
Personal life
In 1831, Childress married Sarah Williams, daughter of Elisha Williams and niece of Judge Joseph Philips.[1][3] He later married Judge Philip's daughter, Mary E., in October 1852.[1][4]
In 1874, Childress purchased a home in Mufreesboro that was later known as the Childress-Ray House.[5]
References
- 1 2 3 "Rutherford County Historical Society Publication No. 9" (PDF). Rutherford County Historical Society. Rutherford County, Tennessee. Retrieved July 25, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Maj. John W. Childress". The Daily American. October 9, 1884. p. 5. Retrieved July 25, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Married". National Banner. January 7, 1832. p. 3. Retrieved July 25, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "In reply to W. L. K." The Commercial Appeal. August 16, 1925. p. 24. Retrieved July 25, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "National Register of Historic Places Inventory--Nomination Form: Childress-Ray House". National Park Service. United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
- 1807 births
- 1884 deaths
- 19th-century American business executives in rail transportation
- 19th-century American farmers
- American bank presidents
- Bankers from Tennessee
- Childress family
- Farmers from Tennessee
- Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway
- People from Murfreesboro, Tennessee
- People from Sumner County, Tennessee
- Tennessee attorneys general
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill alumni