Thomas Dickens ARNOLD, Congress, TN (1798-1870)

ARNOLD, Thomas Dickens, a Representative from Tennessee; born in Spotsylvania County, Va., May 3, 1798; moved with his parents to Knox County, Tenn., in 1808; was tutored privately; at the age of fourteen enlisted as a drummer boy in the War of 1812; taught school in Knox and Grainger Counties; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1820 and commenced practice in Knoxville, Tenn.; elected as an Anti-Jacksonian to the Twenty-second Congress (March 4, 1831-March 3, 1833); an attempt was made by Morgan A. Heard to assassinate him on May 14, 1832, as he descended the west steps of the Capitol; was made brigadier general of the Tennessee Militia in 1836; moved to Greeneville, Tenn.; elected as a Whig to the Twenty-seventh Congress (March 4, 1841-March 3, 1843); chairman, Committee on Claims (Twenty-seventh Congress); was not a candidate for reelection to the Twenty-eighth Congress; resumed the practice of law in Greeneville; died while attending court in Jonesboro, Washington County, Tenn., May 26, 1870; interment in Oak Grove Cemetery, Greeneville, Tenn.

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