Paul Cantrell

Malcolm Paul Cantrell (August 28, 1895 – July 8, 1962) was a Tennessee politician and state senator.[1] He was known for his political "machine" centered in McMinn County, Tennessee.[2][3]

Biography

Cantrell was born on August 28, 1895 in a small southeastern McMinn County, Tennessee, community that later became Etowah, Tennessee in 1909.[4] A descendant of Revolutionary War veteran Thomas Cantrell, he came from a large family. After serving as a conductor for the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, he managed the Etowah Water, Light, and Power Company. Along with his siblings, he owned and operated a lumber company, a natural gas company, a motor company, and a bank. He also served as a director for Citizen's National Bank in nearby Athens, Tennessee.[5]

Active in the local Democratic Party, Cantrell was elected Sheriff of McMinn County in 1936. He was subsequently reelected in 1938 and 1940. Like his Republican predecessors, he built a local political machine. He was elected to the Tennessee Senate representing McMinn County's district in 1942 and reelected in 1944. He also served as county judge from 1942–1946. A powerful and influential figure, he served as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1944.[5]

His political power was broken in 1946 in the "Battle of Athens", a rebellion against corruption led by war veterans.[6] After the battle, he remained in McMinn County and worked for the Tennessee Natural Gas Company. Cantrell died on July 8, 1962 at the age of 66 in a hospital in Athens, Tennessee.[2][7]

References
  1. "Battle of Athens | Tennessee Encyclopedia". Tennessee Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2018-11-21.
  2. "Paul Cantrell, Former Leader Of Tennessee Machine, Is Dead". Retrieved 2018-11-21.
  3. "Paul Cantrell, Ex-Political Boss, Dies," The Knoxville Journal July 10, 1962, pg. 5
  4. 'History of the Carlock Family and of Pioneer Americans.' Marion Pomeroy Carlock-editor, Wm. Strauss Printing Company, Inc., Los Angeles, California: 1929, Biographical Sketch of Malcolm Paul Cantrell, pg. 548
  5. Biographical Directory of the Tennessee General Assembly
  6. "The Battle Of Athens". American Heritage. Retrieved 2018-11-21.
  7. "Paul Cantrell Dies; Former McMinn 'Boss,'" Nashville Banner, July 9, 1962, pg. 8


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