US Congressman. Taking the call at the advent of the War of 1812, he enlisted at age 16 and served as a Private in the United States Army. After the war, he graduated from Union College, New York, in 1821, moved to North Carolina, in 1822, taught school for several years, studied law, was admitted to the bar and practiced law in Stokes County. He was a member of the North Carolina State House of Commons, and served in the North Carolina State Senate in 1844. In 1847, he was elected as a Whig to the Thirtieth Congress, serving until 1849. Not a candidate for re-nomination, he resumed the practice of law and was a member of the North Carolina State constitutional convention of 1865. Upon the readmission of North Carolina to the Union for representation, he was elected as a Conservative to the Fortieth Congress, serving from 1868 to 1869. After his term, he was elected associate justice of the supreme court of North Carolina in 1872 and served until his death at age 77.

US Congressman. Taking the call at the advent of the War of 1812, he enlisted at age 16 and served as a Private in the United States Army. After the war, he graduated from Union College, New York, in 1821, moved to North Carolina, in 1822, taught school for several years, studied law, was admitted to the bar and practiced law in Stokes County. He was a member of the North Carolina State House of Commons, and served in the North Carolina State Senate in 1844. In 1847, he was elected as a Whig to the Thirtieth Congress, serving until 1849. Not a candidate for re-nomination, he resumed the practice of law and was a member of the North Carolina State constitutional convention of 1865. Upon the readmission of North Carolina to the Union for representation, he was elected as a Conservative to the Fortieth Congress, serving from 1868 to 1869. After his term, he was elected associate justice of the supreme court of North Carolina in 1872 and served until his death at age 77.

Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith