Thomas Whitehead

Thomas Whitehead
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Virginia's 6th district
In office
March 4, 1873 March 3, 1875
Preceded by John T. Harris
Succeeded by John R. Tucker
Personal details
Born (1825-12-27)December 27, 1825
Lovingston, Virginia
Died July 1, 1901(1901-07-01) (aged 75)
Lynchburg, Virginia
Political party Democratic
Profession Politician, Lawyer, Merchant, Editor
Military service
Allegiance Confederate States of America
Service/branch Confederate Army
Years of service 1861–1865
Rank Captain
Unit 2nd Virginia Cavalry
Battles/wars American Civil War

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

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 1861 to 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 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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