Downtown Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Josiah T. Settle

1850 - 1915

Photographed By Bruce InCharlotte, May 6, 2023

1. Josiah T. Settle Marker

Inscription. Josiah T. Settle, one of the earliest African-American 19th century Memphis lawyers, was born in the Cumberland Mountains of East Tennessee. Educated at Oberlin College, Settle was a member of the Howard University's first law school graduating class (1875). That same year, he was admitted to the bar and in 1876 was presidential elector-at-large. During the early 1880s, Settle served in the Mississippi House of Representatives.

After a noted legal and legislative career in Mississippi, Settle came to Memphis in 1885. During the late 1880s, he served as Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Court of Shelby County, an appointment unprecedented for an African-American at that time. He was a delegate to the Republican National Conventions of 1892, 1900, 1904, and 1912. In 1906, Settle was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4E 158.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.

Location. 35° 9.009′ N, 90° 3.018′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee

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, in Shelby County. It is in Downtown Memphis. Marker is on Poplar Avenue, 0.2 miles east of N. Main Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 112 Poplar Avenue, Memphis TN 38103, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Congregation B'Nai Israel (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Shelby County Archives and Hall of Records / Former Criminal Courts Building (about 600 feet away); Former Criminal Courts Building (about 600 feet away); Casey Jones (about 600 feet away); Malcolm Rice Patterson (about 700 feet away); Market Square (approx. 0.2 miles away); Shelby County Courthouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hotel Claridge (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Memphis.

Regarding Josiah T. Settle. The marker is in front of the Memphis branch of the Federal Reserve Bank.

Photographed By Ken Smith, May 12, 2012

2. Josiah T. Settle Marker

Photographed By Ken Smith, May 12, 2012

3. Josiah T. Settle Marker

Photographed By Ken Smith, May 12, 2012

4. Josiah T. Settle Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 22, 2012, by Ken Smith of Milan, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 741 times since then and 57 times this year. Last updated on June 10, 2023, by Bruce InCharlotte of Charlotte, North Carolina. Photos: 1. submitted on June 10, 2023, by Bruce InCharlotte of Charlotte, North Carolina. 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 22, 2012, by Ken Smith of Milan, Tennessee. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.