John A. Buchanan
Encyclopedia
John Alexander Buchanan (October 7, 1843 – September 2, 1921) was a member of the United States House of Representatives
from Virginia and a judge of the Supreme Court of Virginia
.
. He received his early education in local schools and later attended Emory and Henry College. During the war, he served in the Stonewall Brigade
until he was captured at Battle of Gettysburg
and held as a prisoner for two years until 1865. He then entered the University of Virginia
to study law. After being admitted to the bar, he began private practice at Abingdon
in Washington County
. In 1885-87, he was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates
and, in 1888, was elected to Congress as a representative of the ninth Congressional District of Virginia and returned for a second term. He was elected to the Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals in 1895 and served as a judge until his term expired in 1915.
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...
from Virginia and a judge of the Supreme Court of Virginia
Supreme Court of Virginia
The Supreme Court of Virginia is the highest court in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It primarily hears appeals from the trial-level city and county Circuit Courts, as well as the criminal law, family law and administrative law cases that go through the Court of Appeals of Virginia. It is one of...
.
Biography
Buchanan was born in Smyth County, VirginiaSmyth County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 33,081 people, 13,493 households, and 9,607 families residing in the county. The population density was 73 people per square mile . There were 15,111 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile...
. He received his early education in local schools and later attended Emory and Henry College. During the war, he served in the Stonewall Brigade
Stonewall Brigade
The Stonewall Brigade of the Confederate Army during the American Civil War, was a famous combat unit in United States military history. It was trained and first led by General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson, a professor from Virginia Military Institute...
until he was captured at Battle of Gettysburg
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg , was fought July 1–3, 1863, in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The battle with the largest number of casualties in the American Civil War, it is often described as the war's turning point. Union Maj. Gen. George Gordon Meade's Army of the Potomac...
and held as a prisoner for two years until 1865. He then entered the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
to study law. After being admitted to the bar, he began private practice at Abingdon
Abingdon, Virginia
Abingdon is a town in Washington County, Virginia, USA, 133 miles southwest of Roanoke. The population was 8,191 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Washington County and is a designated Virginia Historic Landmark...
in Washington County
Washington County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 51,103 people, 21,056 households, and 14,949 families residing in the county. The population density was 91 people per square mile . There were 22,985 housing units at an average density of 41 per square mile...
. In 1885-87, he was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates
Virginia House of Delegates
The Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the Virginia General Assembly. It has 100 members elected for terms of two years; unlike most states, these elections take place during odd-numbered years. The House is presided over by the Speaker of the House, who is elected from among the...
and, in 1888, was elected to Congress as a representative of the ninth Congressional District of Virginia and returned for a second term. He was elected to the Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals in 1895 and served as a judge until his term expired in 1915.