Head was born in Castalian Springs, Tennessee. He was educated in Sumner County, Tennessee. Head studied law and was admitted to the Tennessee bar. He lived in Gallatin, Tennessee and practiced law. Head served in the Tennessee Senate from 1855 to 1857, and was a reporter for the Tennessee Supreme Court from 1858 to 1862. He then served as Tennessee Attorney General from 1858 to 1861. During the American Civil War, Head served in the Confederate Army, as a colonel, in the 30th Tennessee Regiment.
