Gainesville in Alachua County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Jesse Johnson Finley

Photographed By Tim Fillmon, April 9, 2016

1. Jesse Johnson Finley Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Jesse Johnson Finley was born in Wilson County, Tennessee, November 18, 1812 and educated in Lebanon, Tennessee. After service as a captain in the Seminole War of 1836, he studied law and was admitted to the bar. During a ten year period he served in the Florida and Mississippi legislatures and as mayor of Memphis, Tennessee. He was elevated to the Florida bench in 1853 and was appointed Confederate district judge for the state in 1861 but soon promoted to colonel of the 6th Florida Infantry, where he participated in the Kentucky campaign under General Kirby-Smith and at Chickamauga. Commissioned as brigadier general in November 1863, he was assigned to command of Florida infantry regiments in the Army of Tennessee, where he led his brigade with great credit in the Chattanooga and Atlanta campaigns. Twice severely wounded, he was incapacitated for further field duty after the battle of Jonesboro. After the war, he served parts of three contested terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, and in 1887 was appointed by the governor to serve in the U.S. Senate in anticipation of a resignation which did not occur. He had served in all three branches

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of government, with service at the local, state, and national level. This service was rendered in three states. He dies in Lake City on November 6, 1904 and is buried in Evergreen Cemetery. His son, Samuel Y. Finley, elected as Gainesville's first mayor in 1869, is also buried here.
Florida Heritage Landmark

Erected 1999 by Alachua County Historical Commission, Alachua County Historical Society, Evergreen Cemetery Association, and Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-402.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Government & Politics • War, US Civil • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical date for this entry is November 18, 1812.

Location. 29° 37.677′ N, 82° 18.899′ W. Marker is in Gainesville, Florida, in Alachua County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Southeast 21st Avenue and Southeast 4th Street, on the left when traveling west. Marker is located in the rear of the cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 401 SE 21st Ave, Gainesville FL 32641, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Evergreen Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); Boulware Springs Water Works Building (approx. 0.7 miles away); Gainesville’s Only Artesian Spring

Jesse Johnson Finley Marker with grave on right image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tim Fillmon, April 9, 2016

2. Jesse Johnson Finley Marker with grave on right

(approx. 0.7 miles away); Shady Grove Primitive Baptist Church and Porters Quarters (approx. 1½ miles away); The Ballpark (approx. 1½ miles away); Trains Rumbled Overhead (approx. 1½ miles away); A Cattle Economy (approx. 1.6 miles away); Living Links to Florida's Past (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gainesville.

Jesse Johnson Finley grave on right, wife on left image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tim Fillmon, April 9, 2016

3. Jesse Johnson Finley grave on right, wife on left

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 12, 2016, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 502 times since then and 71 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 12, 2016, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.