Life
- Born
- February 11, 1852
- Died
- February 29, 1904
Career
- Founder — Tennessee Central
Biography
Jeremiah “Jere” Baxter was a lawyer, businessman and railroad promoter best known as the founder of the Tennessee Central Railroad. Born in Nashville, Tennessee, on February 11, 1852, Baxter studied law after attending Montgomery Bell Academy and began his career in legal publishing.
Baxter became involved in railroad development as part of broader business ventures in Tennessee and neighboring states. His principal railroad undertaking was the Tennessee Central, which he worked to develop as an independent route across Tennessee. Baxter’s efforts to build and finance the railroad led to a public dispute with railroad executive Whitefoord Russell Cole during the early twentieth century.
Baxter also helped establish South Pittsburg, Tennessee, and Sheffield, Alabama, and served in the Tennessee State Senate. He died on February 29, 1904, and was buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Nashville. The town of Baxter, Tennessee, was named for him.