David Foote Rivers Explained

David Foote Rivers
Office:Tennessee House of Representatives
Term Start:1883
Term End:1884
Birth Date:18 July 1859
Birth Place:Montgomery, Alabama, U.S.
Death Place:New York City, U.S.
Education:Roger Williams University
Occupation:Politician
Spouse:Silene Gale
Children:4, including Francis E. Rivers

David Foote Rivers (July 18, 1859 – July 5, 1941) was a theologian and politician in the United States. An African American and a Republican, he served as a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives for Fayette County from 1883 to 1884.[1] [2] He represented Fayette County.[3]

He taught at his alma mater, Roger Williams University, in Nashville, Tennessee.[1] His eligibility for office was contested because he studied out of county during the year prior to his election. H. C. Jarvis submitted a minority report supporting his eligibility.[4] He was reelected but was forced to flee the county due to rising racist violence.

Rivers became the pastor of Metropolitan Baptist church in Kansas City, Missouri in the 1890s, and he later served as the pastor of Berean Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.[1] [5]

His son Francis E. Rivers served in New York State's General Assembly and was an assistant district attorney.[6] [7]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: David Foote Rivers . "This Honorable Body": African American Legislators in 19th Century Tennessee . Tennessee State Government . April 12, 2019.
  2. Black Legislators in Tennessee in the 1800's: A Case Study in Black Political Leadership. Cartwright, Joseph H.. 1973. Tennessee Historical Quarterly. 32. 3. 265–284. 42623393. JSTOR.
  3. Web site: The Journal of Negro History. Carter Godwin. Woodson. Rayford Whittingham. Logan. March 7, 1920. Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. Google Books.
  4. Web site: House Journal. 1883.
  5. News: Dr. David F. Rivers Dies In New York After Long Illness . April 12, 2019 . The New York Age . July 12, 1941. 4. Newspapers.com. registration .
  6. Book: The Civil Rights Movement in Tennessee: A Narrative History. 9781572334434. Lovett. Bobby L.. 2005.
  7. News: Francis e. Rivers Dies; Black City Judge Was 82. The New York Times. 29 July 1975. Fowle. Farnsworth.