To The Memory of Honorable H. C. Jarvis

Hat Tip: Jack Goins

To The Memory of Honorable H. C. Jarvis

At a meeting of the Rogersville Bar during the present March term 1899, of the Chancery Court, Chancellor H. G. Kyle presiding the following proceedings in reference to the death of Hon. H. C. Jarvis were had and ordered to be spread upon the record of said court; to wit: S, F. Powell, W. P. Gillenwaters and S. J. Chesnutt were appointed a committee and A. T. Bowen secretary to draft suitable resolutions in reference to the death of Mr. Jarvis, who reported as follows;

Henry Clay Jarvis was born at Sneedville, Hancock County, Tennessee on the 30^th day of September 1858, being the first child born to his parents Captain L. M. (Lewis) and Mrs. Nancy E. Jarvis, both of whom yet live to mourn the loss of their son. Mr. Jarvis was educated in his own town with the exception of one or two sessions he attended at Tazewell, Tennessee.

While he was not a college bred man his educational attainments were superior to that of most men whose opportunities were no better than his. After quitting school he read law with his father , who was at that time the leading lawyer of Sneedville, and was admitted to the practice of law in 1879, and continued the practice at Sneedville until 1880 at which time he was elected to the lower house of Legislature of Tennessee at the early age of twenty two.

After serving his term in the legislature he resumed his law practice at Sneedville until 1888, at which time he came to and adopted Rogersville as his future home, in the same year (1888) was nominated and elected State Senator from the second Senatorial district of Tennessee, then composed of the Counties of Greene, Hawkins, and Hancock. In politics he was always a consistent, but conservative republican, that is, while he believed implicitly in the doctrines and tenets of the Republican Party, he conceded to others the right to differ with him.

After serving his term in the State Senate, he returned to Rogersville and at once entered into a successful practice.

On the 17th day of April 1895, Henry Clay Jarvis married Miss Lida Mitchell of Rogersville , a bright and talented young lady, and in every way fitted for the eminent lawyer who chose her for his help mate.

Mrs. Jarvis and two bright children a boy 3 years old and a girl 6 mo. old survive the loss of the husband and the father.

For more than a year before his death, Mr. Jarvis was an invalid, suffering from consumption. He died at San Antonio, Texas on the 15^th day of Feb. 1899.

In the death of H. C. Jarvis the Bar of Rogersville and East Tennessee has lost one of it’s brightest ornament. His career in what it has accomplished, he gave full assurance of grand future development.

We remember his enthusiasm, his professional ambition, his earnest and diligent work, his bearing was deferential to his seniors, general and polite among those of his own age, and considerately kind to his younger brothers. Upon features and conduct he wore the impress of honor, integrity and intellectual power, of genteel feeling and courageous action of all blended qualities of noble man-hood, in the strength of early maturity. May we emulate his example.

Resolved that in the new inroad upon our ranks we recognize that death has indeed chosen a shinning mark, that as members of the Bar we bear testimony that he was good and strong, brave and gentle, honorable and honored, we cherish his memory.

Resolved that pure sympathy be tendered to his wife and relatives, with a copy of these resolutions to be transmitted by the Secretary of this meeting.

United States Federal Census Records:

1900 Census Rogersville, Hawkins, TN, Lydia W. Jarvis age 30, b. May 1862 in TN, White American Female dau of Richard P. Mitchell and Mary Mitchell b born in TN. Mother of 2, 2 living, son Richard M.. Jarvis, age 4, and a daughter Nannie M. Jarvis, age 2.

1910 Civil District 3, Grainger, TN house 171/171

Sam Mitchell Head 42 single

Lida Jarvis sister 46 wd 2/2 children

Richard Jarvis nephew 14 sgl

Nannie Jarvis neice 12 sgl

William Amis, servant, black, 60 widowed

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