# Thomas Fearn > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Thomas_Fearn > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Thomas_Fearn.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Fearn > Source revision: 1355234592 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) American politician (1789–1863) Thomas Fearn Deputy from Alabama to the Provisional Congress of the Confederate States In office February 4, 1861 – April 29, 1861 Preceded by New constituency Succeeded by H. C. Jones Personal details Born (1789-11-15)November 15, 1789 Pittsylvania County, Virginia Died January 16, 1863(1863-01-16) (aged 73) Huntsville, Alabama Resting place Maple Hill Cemetery, Huntsville, Alabama **Thomas Fearn** (November 15, 1789 – January 16, 1863) was an American medical doctor, businessman, and politician who played a significant role in the early development of Huntsville, Alabama. He served as a Deputy from [Alabama](/source/Alabama) to the [Provisional Congress of the Confederate States](/source/Provisional_Congress_of_the_Confederate_States) in 1861. ## Biography Thomas Fearn was born on November 15, 1789, in [Pittsylvania County, Virginia](/source/Pittsylvania_County%2C_Virginia), to Thomas Fearn and Mary Burton Fearn. He had several siblings and half-siblings from his father's previous marriage. He graduated from Washington Academy (now [Washington and Lee University](/source/Washington_and_Lee_University)) in 1806 and pursued a medical degree at the Old Medical College in [Philadelphia](/source/Philadelphia), graduating in 1810.[1] ### Early Career and Medical Practice After completing his education, Fearn moved to Twickenham (now [Huntsville, Alabama](/source/Huntsville%2C_Alabama)) in the [Mississippi Territory](/source/Mississippi_Territory). He partnered with Dr. John McGhee to establish a successful medical practice that catered to the prominent residents of the area. During the [War of 1812](/source/War_of_1812) and the Creek War (1813-1814), Fearn served as a military surgeon. He was appointed chief surgeon by General [Andrew Jackson](/source/Andrew_Jackson) and briefly managed the military hospital in Huntsville.[1][2] Fearn is credited with discovering the medicinal properties of quinine for treating [malaria](/source/Malaria), which became a significant advancement in the prevention and treatment of the disease. His article on the use of quinine gained widespread recognition.[1] ### Public Works and Business Ventures Fearn was a major developer in Huntsville along with his brothers George and Robert. He was involved in constructing the Indian Creek Canal, later known as "Fearn’s Canal," which connected Huntsville’s Big Spring to the [Tennessee River](/source/Tennessee_River) to facilitate cotton transportation. The canal was completed in 1831 but was eventually replaced by railroads.[1] In 1836, the Fearn brothers revitalized the Huntsville Water Works, installing modern cast-iron pipes and pumps. Fearn later sold the system to the city in 1858 but retained free water rights for his residence on Franklin Street.[1] ### Real Estate and Slaveholding Fearn acquired extensive real estate and became a wealthy plantation owner, ultimately possessing 790 acres. By 1860, he was one of the largest slaveholders in Madison County, owning 82 enslaved people, whom he used for both agricultural labor and public works projects.[1] ### Political career Fearn served multiple terms in the Alabama state legislature and was involved with the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners. In 1861, he was elected as a delegate to the [Confederate Constitutional Convention](/source/Provisional_Congress_of_the_Confederate_States) and served briefly as a Deputy in the Provisional Congress of the Confederate States before resigning due to the inconvenience of travel.[2][1] ### Civil War and Later Life Despite his initial opposition to secession, Fearn supported Alabama during the [American Civil War](/source/American_Civil_War). In 1862, he was arrested by federal forces for refusing to swear allegiance to the United States but was later released due to his failing health.[1] Fearn died at his home on Franklin Street in Huntsville on January 16, 1863, from pneumonia. He was buried in [Maple Hill Cemetery, Huntsville](/source/Maple_Hill_Cemetery_(Huntsville%2C_Alabama)).[2][1] ## Legacy Fearn is remembered as an influential figure in the development of Huntsville and as a pioneer in medical practices related to malaria treatment. His former residence is part of the historic [Twickenham Historic District](/source/Twickenham_Historic_District).[1] ## References 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-EncyAlabama_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-EncyAlabama_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-EncyAlabama_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-EncyAlabama_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-EncyAlabama_1-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-EncyAlabama_1-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-EncyAlabama_1-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-EncyAlabama_1-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-EncyAlabama_1-8) [***j***](#cite_ref-EncyAlabama_1-9) ["Thomas Fearn"](https://encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/thomas-fearn/). Encyclopedia of Alabama. Retrieved November 18, 2024. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-LoC_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-LoC_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-LoC_2-2) [Root, Elihu](/source/Elihu_Root), ed. (1904). [*Journal of the Congress of the Confederate States of America, 1861-1865*](https://memory.loc.gov/ammem/amlaw/lwcc.html). Vol. I. Washington, D.C.: [Government Printing Office](/source/United_States_Government_Publishing_Office). p. 159. [LCCN](/source/LCCN_(identifier)) [05012700](https://lccn.loc.gov/05012700). ## External links - Media related to [Thomas Fearn](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Thomas_Fearn) at Wikimedia Commons - [Thomas Fearn](https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6420438) at [Find a Grave](/source/Find_a_Grave) - [Thomas Fearn](http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/faye-fehr.html#287.72.05) at [The Political Graveyard](/source/The_Political_Graveyard) Political offices Preceded by New constituency Deputy from Alabama to the Provisional Congress of the Confederate States 1861 Succeeded by H. C. Jones Articles related to Thomas Fearn v t e Signatories of the Provisional Constitution of the Confederate States President of the Congress Howell Cobb South Carolina Robert Barnwell Rhett R. W. Barnwell James Chesnut, Jr. C. G. Memminger Wm. Porcher Miles Laurence M. Keitt William W. Boyce Tho. J. Withers Georgia R. Toombs Francis S. Bartow Martin J. Crawford E. A. Nisbet Benjamin H. Hill Augustus R. Wright Thos. R. R. Cobb A. H. Kenan Alexander H. Stephens Florida Jackson Morton Jas. B. Owens J. Patton Anderson Alabama Richard W. Walker Robt. H. Smith Colin J. McRae Jno. Gill Shorter William Parish Chilton Stephen F. Hale David P. Lewis Tho. Fearn J. L. M. Curry Mississippi W. P. Harris Alexander M. Clayton W. S. Wilson James T. Harrison Walker Brooke William S. Barry J. A. P. Campbell Louisiana John Perkins, Jr. Alex. de Clouet C. M. Conrad Duncan F. Kenner Edward Sparrow Henry Marshall Texas Thomas N. Waul Williamson S. Oldham John Gregg John H. Reagan W. B. Ochiltree John Hemphill Louis T. Wigfall Category Commons v t e Signatories of the Confederate States Constitution President of the Congress Howell Cobb South Carolina Robert Barnwell Rhett C. G. Memminger Wm. Porcher Miles James Chesnut Jr. R. W. Barnwell William W. Boyce Laurence Keitt T. J. Withers Georgia R. Toombs Francis S. Bartow Martin J. Crawford Alexander H. Stephens Benjamin H. Hill Thos. R. R. Cobb E. A. Nisbet Augustus R. Wright A. H. Kenan Florida Jackson Morton J. Patton Anderson Jas. B. Owens Alabama Richard W. Walker Robt. H. Smith Colin J. McRae William P. Chilton Stephen F. Hale David P. Lewis Tho. Fearn Jno. Gill Shorter J. L. M. Curry Mississippi Alexander M. Clayton James T. Harrison William S. Barry W. S. Wilson Walker Brooke W. P. Harris J. A. P. Campbell Louisiana John Perkins Jr. Alex. de Clouet C. M. Conrad Duncan F. Kenner Henry Marshall Edward Sparrow Texas John Hemphill Thomas N. Waul John H. Reagan Williamson S. Oldham Louis T. Wigfall John Gregg William Beck Ochiltree Category Commons [Portals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents/Portals): - [United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:United_States) - [American Civil War](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:American_Civil_War) - [Biography](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Biography) - [Politics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Politics) Authority control databases International VIAF National United States --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Thomas Fearn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Fearn) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Fearn?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.