U.S. Congressman. A Democrat, he was elected to represent Louisiana's 2nd and 3rd Districts in the US House of Representatives, serving from 1841 to 1845. He died in office. Born near Nashville, Tennessee, Dawson attended Center College in Danville, Kentucky and later moved to Louisiana, where he became a planter and dabbled in newpaper publishing. He unsuccessfully ran for Louisiana Governor in 1834, but his political fortunes steadily improved after that. In the late 1830s he was elected to the State Legislature, became a judge of the parish court, and was promoted to Major General in the State Militia. In 1843, during his second term in Congress, Dawson also served as Postmaster of New Orleans. His death at 47 ended what was shaping up to be a colorful career. He has a cenotaph at Congressional Cemetery in Washington, DC.
U.S. Congressman. A Democrat, he was elected to represent Louisiana's 2nd and 3rd Districts in the US House of Representatives, serving from 1841 to 1845. He died in office. Born near Nashville, Tennessee, Dawson attended Center College in Danville, Kentucky and later moved to Louisiana, where he became a planter and dabbled in newpaper publishing. He unsuccessfully ran for Louisiana Governor in 1834, but his political fortunes steadily improved after that. In the late 1830s he was elected to the State Legislature, became a judge of the parish court, and was promoted to Major General in the State Militia. In 1843, during his second term in Congress, Dawson also served as Postmaster of New Orleans. His death at 47 ended what was shaping up to be a colorful career. He has a cenotaph at Congressional Cemetery in Washington, DC.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
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