Robertson County TN Archives Biographies.....Garner, Andrew E. 1845 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/tn/tnfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@gmail.com November 13, 2005, 8:44 pm Author: Will T. Hale ANDREW E. GARNER. Possessing a splendid knowledge of the law, sound judgment and great tact, Andrew E. Garner, of Springfield, holds high rank among his colleagues of the Robertson County Bar, and is ably meeting every requirement demanded of him by his profession. A native born citizen, and son of the late Judge John E. Garner, his birth occurred in Springfield, February 23, 1845. His paternal grandfather, William Garner, born in old Virginia, migrated to Kentucky when young, and for a time was engaged in the cabinet maker's business at Lexington, being in partnership with Thomas Clay, a brother of Henry Clay, the noted statesman. He subsequently settled in Nashville, Tennessee, where both he and his wife, whose maiden name was Lucinda Hill, spent their last days. Her father, Dan Hill, her grandfather, William Hill, and her uncle, Green Hill, all served in the Revolutionary war. John E. Garner was born in Nashville, Tennessee, May 4, 1821, and died in Springfield, Tennessee, November 10, 1909. Being admitted to the bar in early manhood, he was for forty-seven years engaged in the practice of his profession in Springfield, practicing in all of the courts, and winning an extended reputation as one of the ablest lawyers of the state. He held many positions of prominence, having served in the State Legislature in 1861; in the Constitutional Convention in 1870; as judge of the Court of Arbitration in 1877; as Special Supreme Judge in 1882; and as a member of the Court of Referees in 1883. Judge Garner could truthfully be called a self-made man. Starting as an attorney with but three law books in his office, he steadily climbed the ladder of success, winning honors and wealth, at the time of his death having a large share of this world's goods. Judge Garner joined the Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons in June, 1842, receiving all the degrees of the blue lodge in nineteen days. Judge Garner married Elizabeth Thomas, who was born in Springfield, Tennessee, July 23, 1819, and died June 12, 1896. Her father, Dr. A. Thomas, was born and educated in Virginia. Locating in Tennessee as a young man, he gained prominence as a physician and surgeon, and had the distinction of dressing the wound of Sam Houston, when he was shot by an Indian. One of Dr. Thomas' sons, B. A. M. Thomas, lost his life during the siege of the Alamo. The judge was a member of the Baptist church, and his wife of the Methodist Episcopal church. Four children were born to them, as follows: Andrew E., the subject of this brief sketch; Anna G., widow of A. J. Warren of Nashville; Lizzie G., widow of V. R. Harris, formerly one of the more wealthy citizens of Erin, Houston county, where she now lives; and Lottie G., widow of Joseph Hart, late of Springfield. Completing his early studies at White's Creek, under the tuition of E. L. Crocker, Andrew E. Garner read law with his father and May, 1866, was admitted to the bar. Starting then upon his professional career with his father, he has been actively engaged in the practice of law ever since, having built up a large and substantial patronage, in addition to his private practice representing the Springfield National Bank, and the Louisville & Nashville Railway. He was a member of the Tennessee senate in 1877 and took an active part in the proceedings thereof. January 13, 1869, Mr. Garner married Addie Morris in Huntsville, Alabama. She was born at Nashville, Tennessee, and was a daughter of the late Henry B. Morris, who was a prominent wholesale grocer in Nashville. Four children bless their union: Florence, wife of R. M. Watkins of Chattanooga; John E. Garner, who is practicing law with his father; M. B. Garner, M. D., a physician at Goodlettsville, Tennessee, and Miss T. M. Garner at home. Religiously Mr. Garner belongs to the Christian church and Mrs. Garner is a faithful member of the Episcopal church. Fraternally Mr. Garner is a member of the Western Star, Lodge No. 9, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and has served as master of this lodge ten years. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/tn/robertson/bios/garner288nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/tnfiles/ File size: 4.6 Kb