William M. Churchwell
William Montgomery Churchwell | |
---|---|
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee's 3rd district | |
In office March 4, 1851 – March 3, 1853 | |
Preceded by | Josiah M. Anderson |
Succeeded by | Samuel A. Smith |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee's 2nd district | |
In office March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1855 | |
Preceded by | Albert G. Watkins |
Succeeded by | William H. Sneed |
Personal details | |
Born | Knox County | February 20, 1826
Died | August 18, 1862 Knoxville, Tennessee | (aged 36)
Resting place | Old Gray Cemetery[1] |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Martha Eleanor Deery Churchwell |
Alma mater | Emory and Henry College, Virginia |
Profession | lawyer, politician, judge, ambassador |
Military service | |
Allegiance | Confederate States |
Branch/service | Confederate States Army |
Years of service | 1861–1862 |
Rank | Colonel (CSA) |
Commands | 34th Tennessee Infantry |
Battles/wars | American Civil War |
William Montgomery Churchwell (26 February, 1826, Knox County, Tennessee — 18 August, 1862, Knoxville, Tennessee)[1] was an American politician and a member of the United States House of Representatives. He also served as Confederate States Army officer during the American Civil War.
Biography
Churchwell was born near Knoxville, Tennessee in Knox County on February 20, 1826. He attended private schools and Emory and Henry College in Emory, Virginia from 1840 to 1843. He studied law, was admitted to the bar, and commenced practice in Knoxville.[2] He married Martha Eleanor Deery.
Career
Churchwell served as one of the judges for Knox County. He was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-second Congress by Tennessee's 3rd congressional district, and then by Tennessee's 2nd congressional district to the Thirty-third Congress after Tennessee had lost a district through reapportionment. He served from March 4, 1851 to March 3, 1853 for the 3rd district, and from March 4, 1853 to March 3, 1855 for the 2nd district. As of 2016, he is the last democrat to represent the Tennessee 2nd District.[3] During the Thirty-third Congress, he was the chairman of the United States House Committee on Pensions and Revolutionary War Claims.
Churchwell was later a provost marshal for the district of east Tennessee. During the administration of President Buchanan, he was sent on a secret mission to Mexico. He served in the Confederate states Army as colonel of the 34th Tennessee Infantry Regiment (4th Provisional Tennessee Infantry) during the American Civil War.
Death
Churchwell died in Knoxville, Tennessee on August 18, 1862 (age 36 years, 179 days). He is interred at Old Gray Cemetery.[4]
References
- ^ a b Griffith, John. "William Montgomery Churchwell (1826-1862) - Find A Grave Memorial". Find a Grave. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
- ^ "CHURCHWELL, William Montgomery - Biographical Information". bioguide.congress.gov. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
- ^ "William Churchwell, former Representative for Tennessee's 2nd Congressional District". GovTrack.us. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
- ^ Kestenbaum, Lawrence (2 October 2012). "The Political Graveyard: Index to Politicians: Churchman to Ciro". politicalgraveyard.com. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
- 1826 births
- 1862 deaths
- 19th-century American politicians
- 19th-century American diplomats
- Emory and Henry College alumni
- Members of the United States House of Representatives from Tennessee
- Ambassadors of the United States to Mexico
- Confederate States Army officers
- Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives
- Tennessee Democrats
- Politicians from Knoxville, Tennessee