Jesse M. H. Graham

Jesse M. H. Graham was a teacher, newspaper editor, postal worker, and state representative in Tennessee. A Republican, he was elected to represent Montgomery County, Tennessee in 1896 and was the only African American member of the legislature at the time. He was ousted over a residency requirement. A note at the Tennessee State Library and Archives states, "According to several newspaper reports, the General Assembly soon passed a bill blocking the election of black candidates."