James L. Pugh
Encyclopedia
James Lawrence Pugh was a U.S. senator
from Alabama
, as well as a member of the Confederate Congress during the American Civil War
.
, and moved to Alabama
in 1824. He received a collegiate education, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1841. He began to practise in Eufaula, Alabama
. He was a presidential elector in 1848 and 1856. He represented Alabama's second district as a Democrat
in the United State House of Representatives from 5 December 1859 until 21 January 1861, when he retired upon the secession of his state.
He then served as an officer in the Confederate States Army
. He was subsequently elected as a representative to both the First Confederate Congress
and the Second Confederate Congress
, serving from 22 February 1862 until the surrender in 1865.
Following the war, he returned to his law practise. Upon the restoration of his citizenship, Pugh was president of the Democratic state convention of 1874, a delegate to the 1875 state constitutional convention, and a presidential elector again in 1876. He was elected to fill the term left by the death of George S. Houston
, and was reelected twice, serving in the Senate from November 24, 1880 to March 4, 1897. He did not run for a fourth term.
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
from Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
, as well as a member of the Confederate Congress during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
Biography
Pugh was born in Burke County, GeorgiaBurke County, Georgia
Burke County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 22,243. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 22,754...
, and moved to Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
in 1824. He received a collegiate education, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1841. He began to practise in Eufaula, Alabama
Eufaula, Alabama
Eufaula is a city in Barbour County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 13,908.-Geography:Eufaula is located at 31°53'21.732" North, 85°9'13.586" West ....
. He was a presidential elector in 1848 and 1856. He represented Alabama's second district as a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
in the United State House of Representatives from 5 December 1859 until 21 January 1861, when he retired upon the secession of his state.
He then served as an officer in the Confederate States Army
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
. He was subsequently elected as a representative to both the First Confederate Congress
First Confederate Congress
The First Confederate Congress was the first regular term of the legislature of the Confederate States of America. Members of the First Confederate Congress were chosen in elections mostly held on 6 November 1861.-Sessions:...
and the Second Confederate Congress
Second Confederate Congress
The Second Confederate Congress was the second and last regular term of the legislature of the Confederate States of America. Members of the Second Confederate Congress were chosen in elections held at various dates in 1863 and 1864...
, serving from 22 February 1862 until the surrender in 1865.
Following the war, he returned to his law practise. Upon the restoration of his citizenship, Pugh was president of the Democratic state convention of 1874, a delegate to the 1875 state constitutional convention, and a presidential elector again in 1876. He was elected to fill the term left by the death of George S. Houston
George S. Houston
George Smith Houston was an American Democratic politician who was the 24th Governor of Alabama from 1874 to 1878....
, and was reelected twice, serving in the Senate from November 24, 1880 to March 4, 1897. He did not run for a fourth term.