John Sevier was the first governor of Tennessee . He effectively founded the state and because it was literally new territory , he dealt with many issues that come along with founding a state . Though much of his work regards to his time in the frontier , his effects on Tennessean politics are still felt today , " Most of the evidence appears to lend weight to the fact that political sectionalism in Tennessee began with the break between Jackson and Sevier . " Andrew Johnson was the 17th president of the United States following Abraham Lincoln 's assassination . He was also governor of Tennessee from 1853-1857 . The Tennessean governor was not entitled to many powers at the time , but used the position to publicize his views
assassination
Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
Governor of Tennessee