Allen T. Caperton
Encyclopedia
Allen Taylor Caperton was an American
politician
who was a United States Senator serving as a Democrat
, as well as previous positions.
and Jane Erskine, was born near Union
, Monroe County
, Virginia
(now West Virginia
) on November 21, 1810. At the age of 14, he traveled by horseback to Huntsville
, Alabama
, to attend school. He later graduated from the University of Virginia
at Charlottesville
, then graduated from Yale College in 1832. He studied law in Staunton, Virginia
, was admitted to the bar and practiced law. He was married to Harriett Echols.
in 1841-1842. He was elected a member of the Virginia Senate
in 1844, and served until 1848. In 1850 and 1861 he was a delegate to the State constitutional conventions, as well as once again being a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 1857 to 1861. During the Civil War
he was elected by the legislature of Virginia to be a member of the Confederate States Senate in which he served until 1865. After the war, he was the first ex-Confederate elected to the United States Senate, entering office as a Democrat from West Virginia and served from March 4, 1875, until his death in Washington, D.C.
, July 26, 1876. He was interred in Green Hill Cemetery, Union, West Virginia.
His residence near Union, West Virginia
, "Elmwood
," was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1976.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
who was a United States Senator serving 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...
, as well as previous positions.
Early life
Caperton, son of Hugh CapertonHugh Caperton
Hugh Caperton was a nineteenth century congressman and planter from Virginia. He was the father of Allen Taylor Caperton whom he had with his wife Jane Erskine Caperton....
and Jane Erskine, was born near Union
Union, West Virginia
Union is a town in Monroe County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 548 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Monroe County.-History:...
, Monroe County
Monroe County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 14,583 people, 5,447 households, and 3,883 families residing in the county. The population density was 31 people per square mile . There were 7,267 housing units at an average density of 15 per square mile...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
(now West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
) on November 21, 1810. At the age of 14, he traveled by horseback to Huntsville
Huntsville, Alabama
Huntsville is a city located primarily in Madison County in the central part of the far northern region of the U.S. state of Alabama. Huntsville is the county seat of Madison County. The city extends west into neighboring Limestone County. Huntsville's population was 180,105 as of the 2010 Census....
, 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 attend school. He later graduated from the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
at Charlottesville
Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville is an independent city geographically surrounded by but separate from Albemarle County in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of King George III of the United Kingdom.The official population estimate for...
, then graduated from Yale College in 1832. He studied law in Staunton, Virginia
Staunton, Virginia
Staunton is an independent city within the confines of Augusta County in the commonwealth of Virginia. The population was 23,746 as of 2010. It is the county seat of Augusta County....
, was admitted to the bar and practiced law. He was married to Harriett Echols.
Political career
He served as a member of the Virginia House of DelegatesVirginia House of Delegates
The Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the Virginia General Assembly. It has 100 members elected for terms of two years; unlike most states, these elections take place during odd-numbered years. The House is presided over by the Speaker of the House, who is elected from among the...
in 1841-1842. He was elected a member of the Virginia Senate
Senate of Virginia
The Senate of Virginia is the upper house of the Virginia General Assembly. The Senate is composed of 40 Senators representing an equal number of single-member constituent districts. The Senate is presided over by the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia...
in 1844, and served until 1848. In 1850 and 1861 he was a delegate to the State constitutional conventions, as well as once again being a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 1857 to 1861. During the 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...
he was elected by the legislature of Virginia to be a member of the Confederate States Senate in which he served until 1865. After the war, he was the first ex-Confederate elected to the United States Senate, entering office as a Democrat from West Virginia and served from March 4, 1875, until his death in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, July 26, 1876. He was interred in Green Hill Cemetery, Union, West Virginia.
His residence near Union, West Virginia
Union, West Virginia
Union is a town in Monroe County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 548 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Monroe County.-History:...
, "Elmwood
Elmwood (Union, West Virginia)
"Elmwood", also known as the Hugh Caperton House, is a historic home located near Union, Monroe County, West Virginia. It was built in the 1830s, and is a two-story, nearly square brick dwelling with Greek Revival details...
," was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1976.