Born on June 23, 1843, near Knoxville, Tennessee, Newman read law to enter the bar in 1866.

He was a captain[1] in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War, from 1861 to 1865.

[3] Newman received a recess appointment from President Grover Cleveland on August 13, 1886, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia vacated by Judge Henry Kent McCay.

He was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 13, 1887, and received his commission the same day.

On or about July 31, 1919, President Woodrow Wilson certified Newman involuntarily as disabled in accordance with the act of February 25, 1919, 40 Stat.