Samuel Mayes Arnell facts for kids

Samuel Mayes Arnell (born May 3, 1833 – died July 20, 1903) was an American lawyer and politician. He represented Tennessee in the United States House of Representatives. He strongly supported the Union during the American Civil War and was a member of the Republican Party. He also worked as a school superintendent and a postmaster.

Growing Up and Early Career

Samuel Mayes Arnell was born on May 3, 1833. His birthplace was Zion Settlement, near Columbia, Tennessee, in Maury County. He attended Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts. After college, he studied law and became a lawyer in Columbia.

In 1859, he started a business that made leather. During the American Civil War, he was a strong supporter of the Union. Because of his support, he was injured, received threats, and his property was damaged by Confederate forces. He had owned slaves before the war.

Serving His Country

Samuel Arnell became involved in politics after the Civil War. In 1865, he was part of a special meeting. This group was called the Tennessee state constitutional convention. They helped rewrite the state's rules after the war.

He then served in the Tennessee House of Representatives from 1865 to 1866. While there, he wrote bills to give voting rights to former slaves. He also tried to stop former Confederate soldiers from voting for a period of time.

Representing Tennessee

When Tennessee was allowed to have representatives again, Arnell was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He was first elected as an Unconditional Unionist. Later, he was re-elected as a Republican.

He served in Congress from July 24, 1866, to March 3, 1871. He did not seek re-election in 1870. During his time in Congress, he led important committees. He was chairman of the Committee on Expenditures in the Department of State. He also chaired the United States House Committee on Education and Labor. In 1868, he was a delegate for Tennessee at the Republican National Convention.

Life After Politics

After his time in Congress, Samuel Arnell returned to practicing law. He first worked in Washington, D.C., and then moved back to Columbia, Tennessee.

He served as the postmaster of Columbia from 1879 to 1885. A postmaster is in charge of a local post office. From 1885 to 1888, he was the superintendent of public schools. This meant he oversaw the schools in the area. Near the end of his life, he wrote his memoirs. These were his personal memories of "Ten Years of Tennessee History."

Samuel Mayes Arnell passed away on July 20, 1903. He died in Johnson City, Tennessee, in Washington County. He was buried in Monte Vista Cemetery.