Robert L. Bright
ROBERT L. BRIGHT - One of the leading attorneys of Chattanooga,
Tennessee, is Mr. Robert L. Bright, a native of Fayettevi11e, Lincoln county.
His father was also a native of Tennessee, and a well known man. His mother was
a daughter of Governor Clark, of Kentucky. His father is one the prominent
attorneys of the State, and is still living and in practice at Fayetteville.
Robert L. was educated in the schools of Giles county, and attended the
Cumberland University. After completing his course of study he was admitted to
the practice of law in 1871, at Fayetteville, and remained there until 1886, at
which time he came to Chattanooga, and has followed his profession here
continuously ever since. In the fall of 1887, in company with others, he
organized the Nashville and Tellico Railroad, running from Athens, East
Tennessee, east through the Great Smoky mountains, which was built for the
purpose of developing the inexhaustible resources of iron, slate, timber,
water-power, etc. This undertaking was a masterful effort, and one but few men
would have had the hardihood and business nerve to have prosecuted. The result
of the undertaking, however, has warranted the experiment and expenditure. Mr.
Bright is president of the Te1lico Manufacturing Company, one of the important
enterprises of this section of the State. The organization is now in its eighth
year of successful operation. He has never taken any part in politics, but
instead has devoted his energies to the promotion of organizations of
corporations for the development and up-building of the city and surrounding
country. Mr. Bright is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and was deacon of
the Home Society, at Fayetteville. He has been very successful in the practice
of his profession, and stands now prominently at the head of the Bar in
Chattanooga. He is a man who is universally liked and respected for his many
fine business and social qualities.
East Tennessee Historical and Biographical, A. D. Smith & Co., Chattanooga, TN, 1893; Page342.