U.S. Congressman. He was appointed Midshipman in the U.S. Navy in 1832 and served until he resigned in 1839. After leaving the service, he studied law, was admitted to the bar and commenced to practice law in Belleville, Illinois. Entering politics, he was a member of the Illinois State House of Representatives, in 1844. During the Mexican War, he was a Lieutenant Colonel in command of a regiment of Illinois Volunteers, (1846-47) and was presented a sword by the Illinois Legislature for his services at Buena Vista. After the war, he was a member of the Illinois State Senate in 1848 and was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-fourth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Lyman Trumbull, serving (1856-57). An unsuccessful candidate for reelection, he resumed to practice law until his death.
U.S. Congressman. He was appointed Midshipman in the U.S. Navy in 1832 and served until he resigned in 1839. After leaving the service, he studied law, was admitted to the bar and commenced to practice law in Belleville, Illinois. Entering politics, he was a member of the Illinois State House of Representatives, in 1844. During the Mexican War, he was a Lieutenant Colonel in command of a regiment of Illinois Volunteers, (1846-47) and was presented a sword by the Illinois Legislature for his services at Buena Vista. After the war, he was a member of the Illinois State Senate in 1848 and was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-fourth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Lyman Trumbull, serving (1856-57). An unsuccessful candidate for reelection, he resumed to practice law until his death.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
