History of Halifax County Virginia United States of America

Our database does not include an historic photo for Halifax County Virginia, do you have one you would like to contribute? Contact Us!

Biographies:

Joseph W. Chalmers, senator, was born in Halifax county, Va., in 1807, of Scotch parentage. He studied law in the University of Virginia, and in a lawyer's office in Richmond. Va. He removed to Jackson. Tenn., in 1835, and practised his profession there for five years, at the end of that time going to Holly Springs, Miss. He was appointed vice-chancellor in 1842, and held the office during 1842 and '43. He was appointed United States senator from Mississippi to succeed Robert J. Walker, and served from Dec. 7, 1845, to March 3, 1847. He then resumed his law practice in Holly Springs, Miss.. where he died in June, 1853.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Paul Carrington Edmunds, representative, was born in Halifax county, Va., Nov. 1, 1836. He studied three years at the University of Virginia, and was graduated in law at William and Mary college. He practised his profession in Jefferson city, Mo., 1857-58; returned to Virginia in 1858, and engaged in agriculture near Houston, Halifax county. He was a state senator, 1881-89; served as delegate to the Democratic national convention at Chicago in 1884, and was a representative from the 6th Virginia district in the 51st, 52d and 53d congresses, 1889-95. He died at Houston, Va., March 12, 1899.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

John Kerr, representative, was born in Halifax county, Va., Feb. 10, 1811; son of the Rev. John and Mary (Williams) Kerr. He was educated in Richmond, Va., and was the first law student of Chief-Justice John S. Pearson. He was admitted to the bar and settled in Yanceyville, Caswell county, N.C. He was the Whig candidate for governor of North Carolina in 1852, defeated by David S. Reid; was a Whig representative from the fifth North Carolina district in the 33d congress, serving 1853-55, and was defeated as the Conservative candidate for representative in the 34th congress by Edwin G. Reade. He was a representative in the state legislature in 1858 and in 1860, and was judge of the supreme court of North Carolina during the civil war. He was arrested during the Ku-Klux difficulties in North Carolina, July 8, 1870. His imprisonment brought him into prominence, and the opposition and enmity aroused by Governor Holden's course in the matter did much to elect Kerr as judge of the superior court in 1874 for a term of eight years. He served as vice-president of the Southern Baptist convention, and of the Baptist state conventions for many sessions; was a trustee of the University of North Carolina, 1846-68, and of Wake Forest college, N.C., 1844-56, and was president of the North Carolina Historical society. He received the degree of LL.D. from the University of North Carolina in 1877 and from Trinity college. He died .at Reidsville, N.C., Sept. 5, 1879.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Halifax County Virginia

Biographies:

Local History and Genealogy Links: