James C. Jones
James Chamberlain Jones (April 20, 1809 – October 29, 1859) was an American politician who served as the tenth governor of Tennessee from 1841 to 1845, and as a United States Senator from Tennessee from 1851 to 1857. A Whig, Jones twice defeated future U.S. President James K. Polk for the governorship, in 1841 and 1843. He was the first native-born Tennessean to be elected governor of the state.
James Chamberlain Jones | |
|---|---|
| 10th Governor of Tennessee | |
| In office October 15, 1841 – October 14, 1845 | |
| Preceded by | James K. Polk |
| Succeeded by | Aaron V. Brown |
| United States Senator from Tennessee | |
| In office March 4, 1851 – March 3, 1857 | |
| Preceded by | Hopkins L. Turney |
| Succeeded by | Andrew Johnson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 20, 1809 Davidson County, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | October 29, 1859 (aged 50) Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Resting place | Elmwood Cemetery Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Political party | Whig (until 1854) Democrat (1854–1859) |
| Spouse |
Sarah Munford (m. 1829) |
| Profession |
|
Jones's first gubernatorial term was marked by gridlock with the state senate, which was led by a group of Democratic senators known as the "Immortal Thirteen." His second term was more productive, as his fellow Whigs controlled both houses of the legislature. Though he later joined the Democratic Party, Jones's speaking skills and campaign style helped to solidify Tennessee's Whigs as one of the strongest Whig movements in the South.