John Ridley MITCHELL, Congress, TN (1877-1962)

MITCHELL John Ridley , a Representative from Tennessee; born in Livingston, Overton County, Tenn., September 26, 1877; attended the public schools; was graduated from Peabody College of Teachers, Nashville, Tenn., in 1896; private secretary to Representative C.E. Snodgrass 1899-1903; was graduated from the law department of Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tenn., in 1904; was admitted to the bar the same year and commenced practice in Crossville, Tenn.; member of the State Democratic executive committee 1910-1914; assistant attorney general of the fifth circuit of Tennessee 1908-1918 and attorney general of the same circuit 1918-1925; served as judge of the fifth circuit 1925-1931; moved to Cookeville, Tenn., in 1931; elected as a Democrat to the Seventy-second and to the three succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1931-January 3, 1939); was not a candidate for renomination in 1938, but was unsuccessful for the Democratic nomination for United States Senator; resumed the practice of law; attorney in the office of Alien Property Custodian from January 1943 to September 1945; special assistant to Attorney General in the Antitrust Division, Department of Justice, Washington, D.C., 1945-1951; died in Crossville, Tenn., February 26, 1962; interment in Green Acres Memorial Gardens.

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