William Brickly STOKES, Congress, TN (1814-1897)

STOKES, William Brickly, a Representative from Tennessee; born in Chatham County, N.C., September 9, 1814; attended the common schools; moved to Tennessee; engaged in agricultural pursuits; member of the State house of representatives 1849-1852; served in the State senate in 1855 and 1856; elected as an Opposition Party candidate to the Thirty-sixth Congress (March 4, 1859-March 3, 1861); entered the Union Army May 15, 1862, as major of Tennessee Volunteers; promoted to colonel and subsequently brevetted major general; honorably discharged March 10, 1865; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1867 and commenced practice in Alexandria, De Kalb County, Tenn.; upon the readmission of the State of Tennessee to representation was elected as an Unconditional Unionist to the Thirty-ninth Congress and reelected as a Republican to the Fortieth and Forty-first Congresses and served from July 24, 1866, to March 3, 1871; unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1870 to the Forty-second Congress; supervisor of internal revenue for Tennessee; resumed the practice of law; died in Alexandria, Tenn., March 14, 1897; interment in East View Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present