U.S. Senator. After completing preparatory studies, he studied law, was admitted to the bar and commenced to practice law in Parkersburg, West Virginia, in 1835. He was the president of the Parkersburg Board of Trustees, (1844-50), a member of the West Virginia State constitutional convention, in 1850 and president of the Northwestern Virginia Railroad Company, in 1852. Even though he opposed West Virginia seceding from the Union at the advent of the Civil War, he served as a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1862. Upon the admission of West Virginia as a State into the Union, he was elected as a Unionist to the U.S. Senate, serving (1863-69). After leaving the Senate, he remained active in political matters until his death.
U.S. Senator. After completing preparatory studies, he studied law, was admitted to the bar and commenced to practice law in Parkersburg, West Virginia, in 1835. He was the president of the Parkersburg Board of Trustees, (1844-50), a member of the West Virginia State constitutional convention, in 1850 and president of the Northwestern Virginia Railroad Company, in 1852. Even though he opposed West Virginia seceding from the Union at the advent of the Civil War, he served as a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1862. Upon the admission of West Virginia as a State into the Union, he was elected as a Unionist to the U.S. Senate, serving (1863-69). After leaving the Senate, he remained active in political matters until his death.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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