Thomas Whitehead (politician)

Thomas Whitehead (December 27, 1825 – July 1, 1901) was a nineteenth-century politician, lawyer, editor and merchant from Virginia.

Thomas Whitehead
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Virginia's 6th district
In office
March 4, 1873 – March 3, 1875
Preceded byJohn T. Harris
Succeeded byJohn R. Tucker
Personal details
Born(1825-12-27)December 27, 1825
Lovingston, Virginia
DiedJuly 1, 1901(1901-07-01) (aged 75)
Lynchburg, Virginia
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Martha Henry Garland
ProfessionPolitician, Lawyer, Merchant, Editor
Military service
Allegiance Confederate States
Branch/service Confederate States Army
Years of service1861–1865
Rank Captain
Unit 2nd Virginia Cavalry
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War

Biography

Born in Lovingston, Virginia, Whitehead received a limited education as a child, later engaged in mercantile pursuits, studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1849, commencing practice in Amherst, Virginia. During the Civil War, he served in the Confederate Army as captain of Company E, 2nd Virginia Cavalry from 1862 to 1865, was twice wounded and was promoted to Major on April 15, 1865. Afterwards, he was elected to the Virginia Senate, but Reconstruction prevented him from taking seat. Whitehead was elected prosecuting attorney for Amherst County, Virginia in 1866 and again in 1869, resigning in 1873. He was elected as a Democrat to the United States House of Representatives in 1872, serving from 1873 to 1875 and afterwards was editor of the Lynchburg News in 1876 and of the Lynchburg Advance in 1880. Whitehead resumed practicing law and was elected commissioner of agriculture for Virginia in 1888, serving until his death on July 1, 1901 near Lynchburg, Virginia. He was interned in Spring Hill Cemetery in Lynchburg.

Electoral history

1872; Whitehead was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives with 51.40% of the vote, defeating Independent J. Foote Johnson.

  • United States Congress. "Thomas Whitehead (id: W000401)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved on 2008-02-14
  • "Thomas Whitehead". Find a Grave. Retrieved 2008-02-14.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
John T. Harris		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Virginia's 6th congressional district
March 4, 1873 – March 3, 1875		 Succeeded by
John R. Tucker
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