William A. Fields, ca. 1852 - unknown

William A. Fields
from composite photograph of
Tennessee House of Representatives,
44th General Assembly,
1885-1886,
TSLA Collection.

A farmer and a school teacher, he was elected as a Republican to represent Shelby County in the 44th Tennessee General Assembly, 1885-1887.

Very little is known about Fields' early life. In the 1880 census he was listed as a laborer, boarding with the Williams family on 2nd Street in Memphis. He and his wife Elizabeth were the parents of three children. He was a farmer and school teacher in the Fifth District of Shelby County when he was elected to the Tennessee General Assembly, where he introduced a number of bills opposing discrimination in public facilities, and supporting compulsory school attendance, fair labor contracts, and the licensure of insurance companies.