James Hayes Bowman
James Hayes Bowman (1877-1963) was member of the Dayton Board of Education and was also a successful businessman, operating a local hardware store and constructed cabinets. He served as a juror in the Scopes Trial in 1925.
Thomas Jefferson Brewer
Thomas J. Brewer (1920-2003), just five years old at the time, was chosen by Judge John Tate Raulston to select the jury for the trial of John Thomas Scopes. Sitting on the corner of the judge's bench, Brewer reached into a hat and drew the names one by one until 12 jurors were seated for the court.
Dr. Albert C. Broyles
Dr. Albert C. Broyles (1888–1963) was a prominent physician in Dayton, Tennessee. He served as a city alderman in Graysville, contributing to the town's incorporation in 1917. When William Jennings Bryan passed away in 1925, Dr. Broyles responded to the call with Dr. Walter F. Thomison and pronounced Bryan dead. He was also a delegate to the 1928 General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
William Jennings Bryan
William Jennings Bryan (1860–1925) was a three-time Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Secretary of State, and a leading voice of the Progressive Era. Known for his oratory skills, he championed populist and religious causes, opposing the gold standard and evolution. In 1925, he prosecuted the Scopes Trial in Dayton, Tennessee, defending the Butler Act’s ban on teaching evolution. He died shortly after the trial, cementing his legacy in American history.
John Washington Butler
John Washington Butler (1875–1952) was a Tennessee farmer, legislator, and author of the Butler Act, which prohibited teaching evolution in public schools. Elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in 1922, he introduced the law in 1925, leading to the famous Scopes Trial. A devout Christian, Butler believed evolution undermined biblical teachings. Though later repealed, his law shaped debates on education and religion in America.
Robert Jerome Coulter
Robert Jerome Coulter (1868–1939) was a prominent Tennessee businessman and funeral director. He initially operated a department store in Dayton before transitioning to the funeral industry at age 30. In 1922, he founded the R.J. Coulter Funeral Home in Chattanooga. Notably, Coulter oversaw the funeral arrangements for William Jennings Bryan in 1925. His personable nature contributed to his business success.
Dr. Winterton Conway Curtis
Dr. Winterton Conway Curtis (1875–1966) was an American zoologist and professor at the University of Missouri. A specialist in embryology and evolution, he earned his Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University. In 1925, he served as an expert witness for the defense in the Scopes Trial, advocating for the teaching of evolution. Curtis contributed significantly to zoological research and education, leaving a lasting impact on the field of biology.
John W. Dagley
John W. Dagley (1871-1956) served as a juror in the 1925 Scopes Trial in Dayton, Tennessee. The jury, including Dagley, convicted John T. Scopes for teaching evolution in violation of the Butler Act. The trial garnered national attention, highlighting the debate between science and religion in education.
Clarence Darrow
Clarence Darrow (1857–1938) was a renowned American lawyer and civil libertarian known for defending controversial cases. A leading defense attorney, he famously defended John T. Scopes in the 1925 Scopes Trial, arguing for the teaching of evolution. He also defended labor leaders and was involved in high-profile cases like the Leopold and Loeb trial. A fierce opponent of the death penalty, Darrow remains a symbol of progressive legal advocacy.
William Goldsber Day
William G. Day (1881-1941) was born in Bledsoe County, Tennessee, but he resided in Rhea County for most of his life. He lived in Spring City before moving to the Carp community and was a longtime produce merchant. Day served as a juror in the Scopes Trial in 1925.
Robert Edward Lee Gentry
Lee Gentry (1874-1943) was a longtime Rhea County resident and a devout Methodist. He attended and graduated from the Grandview Normal Institute, and afterwards, he was employed as a teacher at Morgantown School for thirty years. In addition, he taught a Sunday School class at Vine Grove Methodist Church for twenty-five years. He served as a juror in the Scopes Trial in 1925.
Justus Buck “Jesse” Goodrich
Jesse B. Goodrich (1880-1962), a Rhea County pioneer family member, was a juror in the Scopes Trial, Gulf Oil distributor, merchant, and motel owner in Tennessee and Florida before retiring in Dayton.
Wallace Haggard
Wallace Haggard was a Dayton, Tennessee, attorney instrumental in initiating the 1925 Scopes Trial. As part of a group of local leaders, he met at Robinson's Drugstore to plan a legal challenge to the Butler Act, which prohibited teaching evolution in schools. Haggard later served as an assistant prosecutor during the trial, contributing to the legal proceedings that garnered national attention.
Robert “Bluch” Harris
"Bluch" Harris (1878-1932) was Rhea County’s sheriff (1922–1928) during the Scopes Trial, having previously worked as a machinist at Dayton Coal and Iron Company before transitioning to law enforcement as a deputy sheriff in 1912.
Arthur Garfield Hays
Arthur Garfield Hays (1881–1954) was an American civil liberties lawyer and general counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). A staunch defender of free speech and individual rights, he was part of the defense team in the 1925 Scopes Trial, advocating for the teaching of evolution. Hays also worked on high-profile cases involving labor rights and government overreach, leaving a lasting impact on civil liberties law in the United States.
Herbert E. Hicks
Herbert Eugene Hicks (1893–1946) was a Dayton, Tennessee, attorney who played a pivotal role in the 1925 Scopes Trial. Alongside his brother, Sue Kerr Hicks, he served as a prosecutor, representing the state in the case against John T. Scopes for teaching evolution in public schools. Beyond his legal career, Hicks was an avid ornithologist, dedicating time to the study of birds after his health declined.
Sue Kerr Hicks
Sue Kerr Hicks (1893–1982) was an attorney from Dayton, Tennessee, who played a key role in the 1925 Scopes Trial. As an assistant prosecutor, he worked alongside his brother Herbert Hicks to prosecute John T. Scopes for teaching evolution in public schools, defending the state's law. Beyond the trial, Hicks practiced law in Dayton and became a well-respected figure in the legal community throughout his career.
Rev. Charles R. Jones
Rev. Charles R. Jones (1875-1967) served as the pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church South in Dayton during the 1925 Scopes Trial. He notably presided over the funeral service for William Jennings Bryan, who passed away shortly after the trial. Additionally, Rev. Jones represented his congregation as a delegate at the 1928 General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, further underscoring his prominent role within both the local community and the broader church.
Nellie Kenyon
Nellie Kenyon (1898–1982) was a pioneering Tennessee journalist renowned for her extensive coverage of federal trials. Despite limited formal education, she began her career at the Chattanooga News, reporting on World War I and women's suffrage. In 1925, she was the first woman to receive a press pass for the Scopes Trial in Dayton, Tennessee. Kenyon also reported on the Jimmy Hoffa trial in 1964. She continued to write occasionally after her retirement in 1970 and passed away in 1982.
Dudley Field Malone
Dudley Field Malone (1882–1950) was an American lawyer and civil rights advocate, best known for his role as defense attorney in the 1925 Scopes Trial. He represented John T. Scopes, arguing for the right to teach evolution in public schools. Malone was a passionate supporter of women's suffrage, labor rights, and civil liberties. His progressive legal work left a lasting impact on American law and civil rights.
Benjamin Gordon McKenzie
Benjamin Gordon “B.G.” McKenzie (1876–1960) was a prominent Tennessee lawyer, judge, and state legislator. He served on the prosecution team during the 1925 Scopes Trial, arguing in favor of the Butler Act, which banned the teaching of evolution in public schools. McKenzie also worked as a judge and was active in local civic and political affairs throughout his career, contributing significantly to the legal landscape of Rhea County.
James Gordon McKenzie
James Gordon McKenzie (1893–1944) was a prominent attorney in Dayton, Tennessee, and the son of B.G. McKenzie, a key figure in the 1925 Scopes Trial. He was known for his legal expertise and community involvement. James Gordon McKenzie continued his family’s legacy in law, contributing to the legal landscape of Rhea County. He passed away on his 51st birthday, leaving behind a significant impact on local legal affairs.
Emma (McClelland) McSmith
Emma McClelland McSmith (1892–1975) covered the 1925 Scopes Trial as a reporter for the Dayton Herald. Her husband, Duane, replaced John Scopes as a teacher during the trial. Later, she moved to Hampton, Virginia, where she taught and worked at NASA. In the 1960s, she began broadcasting her popular Bible study classes, “Chapel Cottage,” on Pat Robertson’s station, eventually contributing to the creation of The 700 Club.
H. L. Mencken
H.L. Mencken (1880–1956) was an influential American journalist, essayist, and social critic known for his satirical writing. A prominent figure in the early 20th century, he criticized American culture, politics, and religion. Mencken's most famous work includes his coverage of the 1925 Scopes Trial, where he supported the teaching of evolution. His sharp wit and iconoclastic views earned him both admiration and controversy throughout his career.
John Randolph Neal Jr.
John Randolph Neal Jr. (1882–1970) was a Tennessee attorney who played a key role in the 1925 Scopes Trial, defending John Scopes against charges of teaching evolution. After the trial, Neal continued his legal career and became involved in politics, serving as a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives. He was also a candidate for the U.S. Senate in 1930. Neal remained an advocate for civil liberties throughout his career.
Austin Peay IV
Austin Peay (1876–1927) was the 36th Governor of Tennessee, serving from 1923 until his death in 1927. During his tenure, he supported infrastructure development and education reform. Peay’s leadership occurred during the 1925 Scopes Trial, where he remained neutral, though the trial spotlighted Tennessee's strict laws on evolution. His progressive policies aimed to modernize the state, including road construction and the expansion of public education, cementing his legacy.
George Washington Rappleyea
George Washington Rappleyea (1868–1945) was a key figure in the 1925 Scopes Trial, serving as the local businessman who orchestrated the legal challenge against the teaching of evolution in Tennessee. As superintendent of the Dayton Coal & Iron Company, he worked with others to recruit John Scopes to test the Butler Act, which banned teaching evolution. Rappleyea's actions sparked national debate over science, religion, and education, leaving a lasting legacy.
John Tate Raulston
John Tate Raulston (1866–1942) was a Tennessee judge best known for presiding over the 1925 Scopes Trial. Appointed as a judge in Rhea County, Raulston oversaw the landmark case where John Scopes was charged with teaching evolution in violation of the Butler Act. Known for his conservative stance, Raulston played a pivotal role in the trial, which became a significant moment in the debate between science and religion in education.
Eloise (Purser) Reed
Eloise “Weezie” Purser Reed (1898-1982) was a teacher, principal, and business owner in Dayton who attended the Scopes Trial and later appeared in documentaries as one of its last surviving attendees.
James W. Riley
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William Bell Riley
William Bell Riley (1861-1947), often called "The Grand Old Man of Fundamentalism," was a prominent religious leader in the early 20th-century fundamentalist movement. As the founder of the World’s Christian Fundamentals Association, he was a staunch advocate for biblical literalism and led efforts to ban the teaching of evolution in schools. He played a pivotal role in securing William Jennings Bryan’s involvement in the 1925 Scopes Trial. Until his death, Riley remained one of the most influential fundamentalists of his era, and in his final days, he chose a young Billy Graham as his successor, shaping the future of evangelicalism.
Frank Earle Robinson
Frank Earle Robinson (1881-1957) was a Dayton drugstore owner whose shop hosted the meeting that led to the Scopes Trial, playing a key behind-the-scenes role in challenging the Butler Act.
Frederick Richard Rogers
In the summer of 1925, F.R. Rogers (1895-1964) and his family vacated their home so William Jennings Bryan could reside there while assisting the prosecution in the Scopes Trial, where Bryan passed away on July 26, 1925.
John Thomas Scopes Sr.
John T. Scopes (1900-1970), a young science teacher, found himself at the center of a national firestorm in 1925 when he was put on trial in Dayton, Tennessee, for teaching evolution, igniting a historic courtroom battle over science and religion.
Rev. Joseph Lee Scott
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Harry J. “Bud” Shelton
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William Davis Smith
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Arthur Thomas Stewart
Tom Stewart (1892-1972) was admitted to the bar in 1913, he began his legal career in Birmingham, Alabama, before returning to Tennessee, where he continued practicing law. From 1923 to 1938, he served as district attorney general of Tennessee’s eighteenth judicial circuit, gaining national recognition as the lead prosecutor in the landmark 1925 Scopes Trial. In 1938, he was elected as a Democrat to the U.S. Senate to fill a vacancy later securing reelection and serving until 1949.
Walter Gray Taylor
Walter Taylor (1871-1965) was a long-time Rhea County resident and farmer. In 1925, he served as a member of the jury in the Scopes Trial, and he was the last surviving juror of the famous trial.
Dr. Walter Fairfield Thomison
Dr. Walter Fairfield Thomison (1859-1940) was a prominent Dayton physician, surgeon, and Mason who co-founded Cedar Hill Hospital, served as a railway surgeon, and pronounced William Jennings Bryan dead during the 1925 Scopes Trial.
Jack R. Thompson
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Walter White
Walter White (1880-1951), a Tennessee educator, state legislator, and Superintendent of Rhea County Schools, played a pivotal role in the 1925 Scopes Trial, later replacing George Rappleyea as prosecutor, and remained active in politics and education until his death in 1951.
John Stanton Wright
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