Major Ridge:1771-1839

Was a war chief of the Cherokees born at Hiwassee, now Polk County, Tennessee. He distinguished himself in the Creek War (1813-1814), organizing Cherokee volunteers to fight with Andrew Jackson against the Creeks. He rose in; prominence among the Cherokee nation, becoming Speaker of the Council in 1827. Ridge's power eventually waned after he sided with the Cherokee faction advocating removal west of the Mississippi, resulting in the infamous Trail of Tears.

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