20 Facts About Lawrence Tyson

Lawrence Davis Tyson was an American general, politician and textile manufacturer, operating primarily out of Knoxville, Tennessee, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

From 1902 to 1908, Lawrence Tyson served in the Tennessee House of Representatives, and was Speaker of the House from 1903 to 1905.

Lawrence Tyson graduated from the Greenville Academy, and initially worked as a clerk in Salisbury.

Lawrence Tyson later took part in the Apache Wars against a Geronimo-led faction of Apaches in the West.

In 1886, Lawrence Tyson married Bettie Humes McGhee, the daughter of wealthy Knoxville railroad baron Charles McClung McGhee.

Lawrence Tyson enrolled in the university's law school, from which he graduated in 1894.

Lawrence Tyson organized the Knoxville Cotton Mills, which would grow to become one of Knoxville's major textile companies in the early 20th century.

From 1903 to 1905, Lawrence Tyson served as the elected Speaker of the House.

The brigade received nine Medals of Honor, the most of any single brigade of the US Army during World War I, while Lawrence Tyson himself was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal.

Lawrence Tyson rendered services of great worth to the American Expeditionary Forces.

Lawrence Tyson located his son's body, and shipped it back to Knoxville for burial.

In 1920, Lawrence Tyson made an unsuccessful effort to gain the vice presidential nomination at the Democratic National Convention.

Lawrence Tyson defeated Republican candidate, Hugh B Lindsay, in the general election later that year.

Lawrence Tyson was sworn in as a Senator on March 4,1925.

In 1926, Lawrence Tyson sponsored legislation authorizing the creation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Lawrence Tyson died, at the age of 68, in 1929 at a sanitarium in Strafford, Pennsylvania.

Lawrence Tyson is buried in Old Gray Cemetery in Knoxville.

McGhee Lawrence Tyson Airport has since been moved to Blount County.

Lawrence Tyson's parents were McGhee Tyson and Catherine Gilpin.

Lawrence Tyson is a great-grandfather of actor Jack Gilpin and a great-great-grandfather of Jack's daughter, actress Betty Gilpin.