Finis J. Garrett

Finis James Garrett (August 26, 1875 – May 25, 1956) was a United States representative from Tennessee, serving as the House minority leader for the Democratic Party, and a Chief Judge of the United States Court of Customs and Patent Appeals.

Education and career

Born on August 26, 1875, near Ore Springs, Weakley County, Tennessee, Garrett attended the common schools and Clinton College in Kentucky. He received an Artium Baccalaureus degree in 1897 from Bethel College (now Bethel University) in McKenzie, Tennessee and read law in 1899. He entered private practice in Dresden, Tennessee from 1900 to 1905, during which time he was also a newspaper editor, teacher and a Master in Chancery for the Tennessee Chancery Court in Weakley County.

Congressional service

Garrett was elected from the 9th congressional district of Tennessee as a Democrat to the United States House of Representatives of the 59th United States Congress and to the eleven succeeding Congresses, serving from March 4, 1905, until March 3, 1929. He was Chairman of the United States House Committee on Insular Affairs in the 65th United States Congress. He was minority leader in the 68th through 70th United States Congresses. He was not a candidate for renomination to the 71st United States Congress in 1928. He was also an unsuccessful candidate for the Democratic nomination for United States Senator. He was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1924. He married Elizabeth Harris Burns on November 27, 1901.

Death

Garrett died on May 25, 1956, in Washington, D.C. He was interred in Sunset Cemetery in Dresden, Tennessee.