Alabama Governor. Moving from South Carolina to the Alabama Territory in 1818, he studied law in Tennessee, was admitted to the Alabama bar in 1822 and opened a law practice in Huntsville, Alabama. He was a member of the Alabama State Legislature in 1827 and served as the first Chief Justice of the Alabama State Supreme Court from 1828 to 1849. In 1849, he was elected as a Democrat the 14th Governor of Alabama, serving until 1853. He was considered a fair and conservative man with a keen knowledge of the law, who did not support the more radical states' righters. While in office, he encouraged the introduction of textile mills to the state, promoted funding for the poor educational system, the Alabama Historical Society was formed, and the Alabama Hospital for the Insane was authorized. Following his term as Governor in 1853, he was offered a seat in the United States Senate, but declined with health issues, and by 1855 he was bedridden, dying with gastroenteritis. He was married in 1826 to Mary Williams Battle and the couple had four children to live to adulthood.
Alabama Governor. Moving from South Carolina to the Alabama Territory in 1818, he studied law in Tennessee, was admitted to the Alabama bar in 1822 and opened a law practice in Huntsville, Alabama. He was a member of the Alabama State Legislature in 1827 and served as the first Chief Justice of the Alabama State Supreme Court from 1828 to 1849. In 1849, he was elected as a Democrat the 14th Governor of Alabama, serving until 1853. He was considered a fair and conservative man with a keen knowledge of the law, who did not support the more radical states' righters. While in office, he encouraged the introduction of textile mills to the state, promoted funding for the poor educational system, the Alabama Historical Society was formed, and the Alabama Hospital for the Insane was authorized. Following his term as Governor in 1853, he was offered a seat in the United States Senate, but declined with health issues, and by 1855 he was bedridden, dying with gastroenteritis. He was married in 1826 to Mary Williams Battle and the couple had four children to live to adulthood.
Bio by: Linda Davis
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