Before graduating from college , Richardson enlisted in the Confederate States Army during the Civil War , and served nearly four years . The first year he was a private and the remaining three years as adjutant of the Forty-fifth Regiment , Tennessee Infantry . studied law ; was admitted to the bar and commenced practice January 1 , 1867 , in Murfreesboro , Tennessee . He was elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives , serving from 1871 to 1873 , and then to the Tennessee Senate , serving from 1873 to 1875 . He was a delegate to the Democratic National Conventions in 1876 , 1896 , and 1900 , and presided as permanent chairman at the 1900 convention
1900 convention
1900 Democratic National Convention
James D. Richardson