Pulaski in Giles County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Edward Everett Eslick (1872-1932)

Willa McCord Blake Eslick (1878-1961)

— First Tennessee Woman Elected To The U.S. Congress —

Edward Everett Eslick (1872-1932) Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, April 24, 2014

1. Edward Everett Eslick (1872-1932) Marker

Inscription. Edward Eslick, son of Merritt and Martha Abernaty Eslick, was born near Pulaski on April 10, 1872, attended public schools in Pulaski and Bethel College in Russellville, Kentucky. He studied law under William H. McCallum, was admitted to the bar in 1893 and commenced practice in Pulaski. Mr. Eslick was also engaged in banking, agricultural pursuits and served as the Government Appeal Agent for Giles County during the First World War. He was elected as a Democrat to the 69th and to the three succeeding Congresses and served from March 4, 1925, until his death in the U.S. Capitol June 14, 1932. Congressman Eslick died while addressing the House of Representatives in favor of the veteran’s bonus legislation. Edward Eslick married Willa McCord Blake on June 6, 1906.

Willa McCord Blake Eslick was born in Fayetteville, Tennessee on September 8, 1878; attended private schools, Winthrop Model School, Peabody College and Metropolitan College of Music and Synthetic School of Music, New York City. She was a member of the Tennessee State Democratic committee and popularly elected to the 72nd Congress to fill the vacancy caused

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

by the death of her husband. Congresswoman Eslick served from August 4, 1932 to March 3, 1933. She attempted to run for re-election for the 73rd Congress, but was deemed ineligible due to “not having qualified for nomination as required by State law”. Mrs. Eslick died on February 18, 1961.

Erected by Pulaski Heritage Trail.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Women. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1952.

Location. 35° 11.634′ N, 87° 1.65′ W. Marker is in Pulaski, Tennessee, in Giles County. It is on South Rhodes Street (Cemetery entrance). The marker is located in Maplewood Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pulaski TN 38478, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee

and in the Highland Rim.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the

Edward Everett Eslick April 19, 1872-June 14, 1932 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, April 24, 2014

2. Edward Everett Eslick April 19, 1872-June 14, 1932

Member of Congress 1925-1932. Died on the floor of the House while pleading for the soldier's bonus. "He who falls in a just cause-never dies" Willa Blake Eslick-First Congresswoman from Tennessee

Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: General John Adams, CSA (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Neill Smith Brown (about 500 feet away); General John Calvin Brown (about 500 feet away); Aaron V. Brown (about 500 feet away); John Adams (about 500 feet away); Thomas McKissack Jones (about 500 feet away); James M. McCallum (about 500 feet away); John Goff Ballentine (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pulaski.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 18, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 8, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 780 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 8, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.