Hugh Mims, (b. Jan. 5, 1880 ), was a native of Cocke County, the son of D. A. and Margaret McSween Mims. He moved to Morristown around 1908 where he was associated with another mayor, J. F. Goodson, in the J. F. Goodson Wholesale Company. In 1909 he built a three story brick building on Main Street where he operated the Mims-Goodson Wholesale Drygoods Company.
He was instrumental in building one of the early hospitals in town, and he also helped organize the first country club in Morristown, which was on South Cumberland Street. He was a charter member of and later president of the Kiwanis Club. He and John Holloway ( another mayor) were the leaders in construction of the Buffalo Trail Highway.
Mims married Isa B. White ( b. Sept. 20, 1886 - d. July 19, 1971), the two living in the house they had built on East 2nd North Street, and they had one son:
Hugh Forrest Mims was mayor of Morristown 1917-1918, the World War One years. He was a Methodist and a strong Democrat, and led the town during a very Patriotic time. He died on January 5, 1948 and was buried at Jarnigan Cemetery in Morristown.