Thomas Crutchfield Sr.

Crutchfield was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia and later moved to Greenville, Tennessee.^[1] He moved to Chattanooga in the 1830s during the removal and relocation of the Cherokee population.^[2] He assisted in the first survey of the city and helped to clear and layout the city's streets.^[2][3] He then established a brick kiln with his brother-in-law near the Tennessee River.^[2] He established one of the first hotels in the city,^[2] the Crutchfield House, directly across from the Union Depot.^[4] It quickly became a gathering place for local politicians and leaders.^[3] In 1848, he was elected mayor serving in 1849.^[2] While mayor he presided over the rapid expansion of the city and lobbied for Chattanooga to be the northern terminus of the Western and Atlantic Railroad being built Georgia.^[2] In 1850, he died while traveling to Nashville.^[2] He was succeeded by former mayor Milo Smith.

He was married to Sarah Cleage; they had four children.^[1]

His son, Thomas Crutchfield Jr. would later serve as mayor in 1859.^[3] His son, William Crutchfield represented the 3rd congressional district of Tennessee in the United States House of Representatives for one term (1873–1875).