Fayette County, TN Genealogy

Goodspeed's History of Tennessee -

Fayette County Biographies

Josiah H. Dortch

Surnames: DORTCH, HIGGASON, HARRIS

Josiah H. Dortch, attorney at law at Somerville, Tenn., was born in Somerville February 15, 1858, and is the son of Hon. William B. and Lucy W. (Higgason) Dortch, who were natives of North Carolina and Tennessee, and were married May 4, 1856, our subject being the only issue of their marriage. The father was a distinguished lawyer at Somerville and died March 10, 1882. The mother is still living. Josiah H. Dortch attended the Southwestern Presbyterian University Clarksville, Tenn., and then attended the Vanderbilt University at Nashville and graduated there in 1878. He then practiced law awhile, and afterward became the editor of the Somerville Falcon, and was connected with that paper until 1882, when he resumed the practice of law and since then has been one of the most prominent members of the Somerville bar. In February, 1886, he was appointed circuit court clerk of Fayette County, and filled that office until the expiration of the term September 1, 1886. Mr. Dortch has made a fine reputation as a lawyer of ability, and is unusually well read in his profession for a man of his age. He is a Democrat and takes an active part in politics, being at present chairman of the Democratic Executive Committee of Fayette County. December 3, 1884, he married Lula B., daughter of W. A. and Mary E. Harris of Somerville. Mr. Dortch is a member of the F. &. A. M. and has been secretary of Lodge No.73, at Somerville for the past seven years, and is one of Somerville's leading citizens.

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