Laban Riseden

Laban Riseden (1850-1923) was an attorney and Scott County’s third superintendent of schools, appointed in the 1870s. He was the brother of Scott County Judge Bransford L. Riseden.

See Also: Scott County School Superintendents
Preceded By: Lafayette Sproule • Succeeded By: Alvin Parker

Early Life

Born May 25, 1850, Riseden was the son of Isaac Riseden (1826-1913) and Mary Jane Shoopman (1830-1921). The Riseden family lived in the New River area south of Huntsville, but appear to have moved to near Rugby during Laban’s childhood.

The surname Riseden was derived of Roysden.

Laban was one of at least four children, the others being Claborn (born about 1849), Bransford (born 1852) and Sarah Elizabeth (born 1854).

Bransford Riseden was elected Scott County Judge in 1886 and served in that capacity until 1894.

Family

Riseden married Louvernia Pile (1855-1928) from Fentress County. She was a great-granddaughter of Conrad William “Coonrod” Pile Jr., the noted early settler of Pall Mall.

The Risedens had at least four children: Maude Agnes, born about 1879; William, born 1880; May, born about 1895; and Wiley, born about 1897.

By the 1880 census, the Risedens were living at Black Creek near Robbins with their one-year-old daughter, Maude (who was listed as “Maudie” in that census).

By the 1900 census, the Risedens had moved to Morgan County, where they remained for the rest of their lives.

Maude Hughett was the first female graduate of the University of Tennessee’s College of Law, in 1909. She was also the first woman admitted to the bar in Tennessee by Judge J.W. Sneed. She was a founder of the Louisville law firm Hughett, Hughett & Hughett, along with her husband and daughter, and her photograph hangs in the hallway of the offices of the Louisville Bar Association.

Professional Life

Riseden was an attorney in Scott County. Later, after moving to Morgan County, he was elected Morgan County Judge. He was serving in that capacity in 1900 and is said to have been the first judge of Morgan County.

Superintendent of Schools

Riseden was appointed Scott County Superintendent of Schools by Scott County Quarterly Court in 1871, replacing Lafayette Sproule. He served for one term, and was replaced by Alvin Parker in 1873.

Death

Riseden died on April 9, 1923, at the age of 72. He is buried at Wartburg Cemetery in Wartburg, Tenn.