Daniel Polsley
Encyclopedia
Daniel Haymond Polsley was a nineteenth century politician, lawyer, judge and editor from Virginia
and West Virginia
.
Born in Palatine near Fairmont, Virginia
(now West Virginia
), Polsley attended country schools as a child, completed preparatory studies, studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1827, commencing practice in Wellsburg, Virginia
(now West Virginia
). He was editor the Western Transcript from 1833 to 1845. He then moved to Mason County, Virginia
(now West Virginia
) in 1845 and engaged in agricultural
pursuits and practiced law.
Polsley was a member of the Wheeling Convention
in 1861 and was chosen to be Lieutenant Governor of the Restored government of Virginia
the same year. About two weeks before West Virginia became a separate state, he resigned on 8 June 1863. He was judge of the seventh judicial circuit
of West Virginia
from 1863 to 1866 before being elected a Republican
to the United States House of Representatives
in 1866, serving from 1867 to 1869. Afterwards, Polsley commenced practicing law until his death in Point Pleasant, West Virginia
on October 14, 1877. He was interred there in Lone Oak Cemetery.
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
and West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
.
Born in Palatine near Fairmont, Virginia
Fairmont, West Virginia
Fairmont is a city in Marion County, West Virginia, United States. Nicknamed "The Friendly City". The population was 18,704 at the 2010 census...
(now West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
), Polsley attended country schools as a child, completed preparatory studies, studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1827, commencing practice in Wellsburg, Virginia
Wellsburg, West Virginia
Wellsburg is a city in and the county seat of Brooke County, West Virginia, United States. It is part of the Weirton–Steubenville, WV-OH Metropolitan Statistical Area. The 2000 Census recorded a population of 2,891, down from a count of 3,385 in the 1990 Census...
(now West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
). He was editor the Western Transcript from 1833 to 1845. He then moved to Mason County, Virginia
Mason County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 25,957 people, 10,587 households, and 7,569 families residing in the county. The population density was 60 people per square mile . There were 12,056 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile...
(now West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
) in 1845 and engaged in agricultural
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
pursuits and practiced law.
Polsley was a member of the Wheeling Convention
Wheeling Convention
The 1861 Wheeling Convention was a series of two meetings that ultimately repealed the Ordinance of Secession passed by Virginia, thus establishing the Restored government of Virginia, which ultimately authorized the counties that organized the convention to become West Virginia. The convention was...
in 1861 and was chosen to be Lieutenant Governor of the Restored government of Virginia
Restored government of Virginia
The Restored Government of Virginia, or the Reorganized Government of Virginia, was the Unionist government of Virginia during the American Civil War. From 1861 until mid-1863 it met in Wheeling, and from 26 August 1863 until June 1865 it met in Alexandria...
the same year. About two weeks before West Virginia became a separate state, he resigned on 8 June 1863. He was judge of the seventh judicial circuit
Circuit court
Circuit court is the name of court systems in several common law jurisdictions.-History:King Henry II instituted the custom of having judges ride around the countryside each year to hear appeals, rather than forcing everyone to bring their appeals to London...
of West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
from 1863 to 1866 before being elected a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
to the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
in 1866, serving from 1867 to 1869. Afterwards, Polsley commenced practicing law until his death in Point Pleasant, West Virginia
Point Pleasant, West Virginia
Point Pleasant is a city in Mason County, West Virginia, United States, at the confluence of the Ohio and Kanawha rivers. The population was 4,637 at the 2000 census...
on October 14, 1877. He was interred there in Lone Oak Cemetery.
See also
- United States Congressional Delegations from West Virginia