Representative Clarence Wyly Turner

Clarence Wyly Turner (October 22, 1866 – March 23, 1939) was an American politician and lawyer who served as a Democratic Representative from Tennessee in the United States House of Representatives. Over the course of his congressional career, he served from 1921 to 1941, contributing to the legislative process during five terms in office and representing Tennessee during a significant period in American history.

Turner was born on October 22, 1866, on a farm near Clydeton in Humphreys County, Tennessee, the son of Charles N. and Hettie B. Turner. Raised in a rural environment, he attended the public schools of the area and then pursued further study at a preparatory school in Edgewood in Dickson County, Tennessee. Seeking broader educational opportunities, he enrolled at the National Normal Institute in Lebanon, Ohio, where he continued his formal training before turning to the study of law.

Committed to a legal career, Turner entered the law department of the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso, Indiana, from which he graduated in 1904. That same year he was admitted to the bar and commenced the practice of law in Waverly, Tennessee, in his native Humphreys County. In addition to his legal work, he became editor of the Waverly Sentinel, using the local newspaper as a platform for civic engagement and public discourse. His dual roles as attorney and editor helped establish him as a prominent figure in the community and laid the groundwork for his entry into public office.

Turner’s political career began at the local and state levels within the Democratic Party. He served as chairman of the Democratic committee of Humphreys County for fifteen years, a position that placed him at the center of party organization and strategy in the region. He was elected to the Tennessee Senate, serving in 1900 and 1901 and again from 1909 to 1912, where he participated in shaping state legislation. In 1920 he was chosen as a delegate to the Democratic National Committee, reflecting his growing influence within the party. That same year he was elected mayor of Waverly, Tennessee, and also served as city attorney, further deepening his experience in municipal governance and legal affairs.

Turner entered national office when he was elected as a Democrat to the Sixty-seventh Congress from Tennessee’s 7th congressional district to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Representative Lemuel P. Padgett. He served in the United States House of Representatives from November 7, 1922, to March 3, 1923. Although his initial term was brief and he was not a candidate in 1922 for re-election to the Sixty-eighth Congress, this service marked his first tenure in Congress and introduced him to the workings of the federal legislative process. During this period he represented the interests of his constituents and participated in the democratic process at the national level.

After leaving Congress in 1923, Turner returned to Waverly and resumed his involvement in local affairs. He engaged in banking and agricultural pursuits, reflecting both his professional versatility and his continued connection to the economic life of Humphreys County. From 1924 to 1933 he served as county judge of Humphreys County, a position that combined judicial responsibilities with county administration. In this role he oversaw local governance and legal matters, reinforcing his reputation as a capable public servant and community leader.

Turner returned to the national stage when he was elected as a Democrat to the Seventy-third and to the three succeeding Congresses from Tennessee’s 6th congressional district. He served in the United States House of Representatives from March 4, 1933, until his death on March 23, 1939. His service thus spanned the early years of the New Deal era, and he was part of the Democratic majority that addressed the challenges of the Great Depression. Over these consecutive terms, he again represented Tennessee in Congress, contributing to the legislative process and advocating for the needs of his district during a transformative period in American political and economic history.

Clarence Wyly Turner died in office in Washington, D.C., on March 23, 1939, while still serving as a member of the House of Representatives. Following his death, his remains were transported back to Tennessee, and he was interred in Marable Cemetery in Waverly, Humphreys County. His career, which spanned local, state, and national office, reflected a lifelong commitment to public service within the Democratic Party and to the representation of his Tennessee constituents.