Montgomery-Davidson County TN Archives Biographies.....Lyle, Matt G. 1872 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@gmail.com October 25, 2005, 4:35 am

Author: Will T. Hale

   MATT G. LYLE. Assistant Attorney General Matt G. Lyle is a modern

representative of a distinguished group of lawyers who during the past hundred

years have made Clarksville their home. With his record of achievement and

thorough scholarship exhibited in every case of counsel or forensic contest in

behalf of the state. Mr. Lyle ranks second to none among his contemporaries and

his ability and standing may be estimated on terms of easy relationship with any

of the company of his predecessors.



   Mr. Lyle, representing one of the old families of the state, was born in

Montgomery county on October 10, 1872, and was liberally educated, first in the

public schools of the county, then a year in Pleasant View high school of

Cheatham county, three years at Cedar Hill preparatory school, two years in

Southwestern Presbyterian University at Clarksville, and in 1895 was graduated

from Cumberland University at Lebanon with the law degree of LL. B.



   His first experience after leaving university was in newspaper work, first as

part owner and editor of the Clarksville Daily Times, and during part of 1897

was associated editor of the Nashville Sun. For experience with men and men's

work and the varied relations of humanity, nothing excels journalistic work, and

Mr. Lyle could not have found a better avenue by which to approach the field of

his larger career.



   In the fall of 1897 he established an office for the practice of law at

Clarksville. He has never had a partner, preferring the advantages which such a

course offers to the man of individual ability. His practice has been large and

important. In 1905 he was made assistant attorney general of his district, and

has now held that position for seven years. In 1908 he was unsuccessful

candidate for district attorney. His official duties and private practice have

absorbed all his time and energies, an ideal state of affairs for the lawyer who

is devoted to his profession, and he has never made any important excursions

into the field of business.



   The Lyle family has been identified with the Cumberland valley of Tennessee

for several generations, but had its first American seat in Rockbridge county,

Virginia, whence this branch moved into North Carolina, and then into Tennessee.

Mr. Lyle's parents were William J. and Elizabeth M. (Batson) Lyle, both natives

of Montgomery county, the former born in 1842 and the latter in 1847, and both

passed away in the year 1910. The paternal grandparents were James and Sallie

Lyle, also natives of this state, and James Lyle was one of the successful

farmers and substantial citizens of his day. The maternal grandparents were

Sidney C. and Maria (Williams) Batson, the former a native of Montgomery county,

where the Batsons likewise belong among the oldest families.



   The late William J. Lyle, the father, was during his active career a farmer,

live-stock dealer and merchant, for a number of years was in the tobacco

business, and his material success entitled him in his home community to

consideration among the well-to-do citizens. He was a Democrat, a Mason, and he

and his wife were members of the Southern Methodist church. They reared a family

of ten children, whose names and situations in life are briefly mentioned as

follows: Lila, a resident of Montgomery county, is the widow of the late W. I.

Harper, who was an educator and who died in November, 1910; Henry C., lives at

Shamrock, Texas; Carney B., is a practicing lawyer of Clarksville; Annie, is the

wife of Edgar Orgain, of Montgomery county; Elizabeth makes her home with her

sister Lila; the sixth in the family is Matt G.; John A., a resident of

Nashville, was until recently member of the firm of Powell-Lyle Company; Louis

L., is a country merchant in Montgomery county; James E., is in the mercantile

business at Savannah, Georgia; and Kathrine married B. Nicks, a country merchant

in Dickson county, this state.



   Matt G. Lyle was married on January 14, 1903, to Miss Love Rossetter, a

daughter of James R. and Ethie (Trahern) Rossetter. Her parents, who were born

in Kentucky, now reside in Knoxville, where her father is associated with the W.

J. Oliver Manufacturing Company. Mr. Lyle is a member of the Methodist church

while his wife belongs to the Christian church. His politics is Democratic, and

he has taken an active part in the Masonic and Knights of Pythias fraternal

orders. He has held several chairs in the Clarksville Lodge No. 89, A. F. & A.

M., and is a member of the chapter and commandery in the same city, and is past

chancellor commander of his lodge of Knights of Pythias. He is also an active

member of Clarksville Lodge No. 601, B. P. O. E., and of Clarksville Home Lodge

of I. O. O. F.



Additional Comments:
From:



A history of Tennessee and Tennesseans : the leaders and representative men in

commerce, industry and modern activities

by Will T. Hale

Chicago:  Lewis Pub. Co.,  1913





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