William Fitzhugh GORDON, Congress, VA (1787-1858)

GORDON, William Fitzhugh, a Representative from Virginia; born on Germanna plantation, near Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania County, Va., January 13, 1787; attended the country schools and Spring Hill Academy; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1808 and commenced practice at Orange Court House, Va.; moved to Charlottesville, Va., in 1809 and continued the practice of law; Commonwealth attorney in 1812; served in the War of 1812; later attained the rank of major general in the Virginia Militia; member of the State house of delegates 1818-1829; member of the State constitutional convention in 1829 and 1830; elected as a Jacksonian to the Twenty-first Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of William Cabell Rives; reelected to the Twenty-second and Twenty-third Congresses and served from January 25, 1830, to March 3, 1835; unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1834 to the Twenty-fourth Congress; engaged in agricultural pursuits; delegate to the Southern Convention at Nashville, Tenn., in 1850; died on his plantation, “Edgeworth,” Albemarle County, Va., August 28, 1858; interment in the family burying ground at Springfield, near Gordonsville, Va.

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