Thetus Willrette SIMS, Congress, TN (1852-1939)

SIMS Thetus Willrette , a Representative from Tennessee; born near Waynesboro, Wayne County, Tenn., April 25, 1852; attended a private school at Martins Mills; moved with his parents to Savannah, Hardin County, Tenn., in 1862; attended Savannah (Tenn.) College and was graduated from the law department of Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tenn., in June 1876; was admitted to the bar the same year and commenced practice in Linden, Perry County, Tenn.; superintendent of public instruction for Perry County, Tenn., 1882-1884; elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-fifth and to the eleven succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1897-March 3, 1921); chairman, Committee on War Claims (Sixty-second Congress), Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce (Sixty-fifth Congress); unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1920 to the Sixty-seventh Congress; resumed the practice of law in Lexington, Henderson County, Tenn.; retired from active business pursuits in 1930 and moved to Washington, D.C., where he died December 17, 1939; interment in Rock Creek Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present