Alexander McKinstry
Encyclopedia
Alexander McKinstry was the third Lieutenant Governor of Alabama
. A Republican
, McKinstry served under Governor David P. Lewis
of the same political party from 1872-1874.
A native of Augusta, Georgia
, McKinstry moved to Mobile
, Alabama
, to live with relatives at the age of fourteen. Working odd jobs, McKinstry began reading law
while working in the office of John A. Campbell
, who would later serve as an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court from 1853 - 1861. Soon after, McKinstry was admitted to the bar
and began practicing law in Mobile County. Two years later, in 1847, McKinstry was elected colonel
of the 48th Alabama Infantry Regiment, 9th Brigade, 4th Division of the State militia
. After serving for three years, McKinstry resigned, returned to Mobile, and served as a judge for the city until 1860.
Over the next few years, McKinstry would serve several positions in the military, including serving as colonel of the 32nd Regiment Alabama Infantry
during the American Civil War
, returning to his law practice in 1864. The following year, in 1865, McKinstry expanded his legal career into politics. He was elected to the Alabama legislature and served as the chairman of the Alabama judiciary committee. He served in this capacity until his election as the third Lieutenant Governor of Alabama in 1872.
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...
. A Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, McKinstry served under Governor David P. Lewis
David P. Lewis
David Peter Lewis was the 23rd Governor of the U.S. state of Alabama from 1872 to 1874. After his term was over, a Republican would not be elected Governor of Alabama for 119 years.He had previously been a delegate to the Confederate Provisional Congress in 1861. In 1868 he was a delegate to the...
of the same political party from 1872-1874.
A native of Augusta, Georgia
Augusta, Georgia
Augusta is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located along the Savannah River. As of the 2010 census, the Augusta–Richmond County population was 195,844 not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County...
, McKinstry moved to Mobile
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
, 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...
, to live with relatives at the age of fourteen. Working odd jobs, McKinstry began reading law
Reading law
Reading law is the method by which persons in common law countries, particularly the United States, entered the legal profession before the advent of law schools. This usage specifically refers to a means of entering the profession . A small number of U.S...
while working in the office of John A. Campbell
John Archibald Campbell
John Archibald Campbell was an American jurist.Campbell was born near Washington, Georgia, to Col. Duncan Greene Campbell...
, who would later serve as an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court from 1853 - 1861. Soon after, McKinstry was admitted to the bar
Bar association
A bar association is a professional body of lawyers. Some bar associations are responsible for the regulation of the legal profession in their jurisdiction; others are professional organizations dedicated to serving their members; in many cases, they are both...
and began practicing law in Mobile County. Two years later, in 1847, McKinstry was elected colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
of the 48th Alabama Infantry Regiment, 9th Brigade, 4th Division of the State militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
. After serving for three years, McKinstry resigned, returned to Mobile, and served as a judge for the city until 1860.
Over the next few years, McKinstry would serve several positions in the military, including serving as colonel of the 32nd Regiment Alabama Infantry
32nd Regiment Alabama Infantry
The 32nd Regiment Alabama Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War.-Service:...
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...
, returning to his law practice in 1864. The following year, in 1865, McKinstry expanded his legal career into politics. He was elected to the Alabama legislature and served as the chairman of the Alabama judiciary committee. He served in this capacity until his election as the third Lieutenant Governor of Alabama in 1872.