John Dillard Bellamy
Encyclopedia
John Dillard Bellamy was a Democratic U.S. Congressman
from North Carolina
between 1899 and 1903.
Born in Wilmington, North Carolina
, Bellamy attended local common schools, the Cape Fear Military Academy, Davidson College
, graduating in 1873, and finally the University of Virginia at Charlottesville, graduating in 1875. He was admitted to the bar in 1875 and practiced law in Wilmington, where he was city attorney from 1892 to 1894.
First elected to the North Carolina Senate
in 1900, he served one term before being elected as a Democrat
to the 56th United States Congress
; he was re-elected once more, serving until 1903, and was unsuccessful in gaining a third term. Bellamy was also a delegate to the 1892, 1908, and 1920 Democratic National Convention
s.
After leaving Congress, he returned to his law practice in Wilmington. Among his clients were the Seaboard Air Line Railway, the Southern Bell Telephone Co., and the Western Union
Telegraph Co. In 1932, Governor Angus McLean
appointed him a commissioner from North Carolina to the celebration of the two-hundredth anniversary of the birth of George Washington. Bellamy died in Wilmington in 1942.
Bellamy published Memoirs of an Octogenarian in 1942; this self-published memoir has become a valuable primary source for historians studying late nineteenth-century North Carolina history, politics, and law, and in particular the Wilmington Insurrection of 1898
.
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 North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
between 1899 and 1903.
Born in Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington is a port city in and is the county seat of New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States. The population is 106,476 according to the 2010 Census, making it the eighth most populous city in the state of North Carolina...
, Bellamy attended local common schools, the Cape Fear Military Academy, Davidson College
Davidson College
Davidson College is a private liberal arts college in Davidson, North Carolina. The college has graduated 23 Rhodes Scholars and is consistently ranked in the top ten liberal arts colleges in the country by U.S. News and World Report magazine, although it has recently dropped to 11th in U.S. News...
, graduating in 1873, and finally the University of Virginia at Charlottesville, graduating in 1875. He was admitted to the bar in 1875 and practiced law in Wilmington, where he was city attorney from 1892 to 1894.
First elected to the North Carolina Senate
North Carolina Senate
The North Carolina Senate is one of the two houses of the North Carolina General Assembly.Its prerogatives and powers are similar to those of the other house, the House of Representatives. Its members do, however, represent districts that are larger than those of their colleagues in the House. The...
in 1900, he served one term before being elected as a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
to the 56th United States Congress
56th United States Congress
-House of Representatives:- Leadership :- Senate :* President: Garret Hobart , until November 21, 1899 , vacant thereafter.* President pro tempore: William P. Frye * Democratic Caucus Chairman: James K. Jones...
; he was re-elected once more, serving until 1903, and was unsuccessful in gaining a third term. Bellamy was also a delegate to the 1892, 1908, and 1920 Democratic National Convention
Democratic National Convention
The Democratic National Convention is a series of presidential nominating conventions held every four years since 1832 by the United States Democratic Party. They have been administered by the Democratic National Committee since the 1852 national convention...
s.
After leaving Congress, he returned to his law practice in Wilmington. Among his clients were the Seaboard Air Line Railway, the Southern Bell Telephone Co., and the Western Union
Western Union
The Western Union Company is a financial services and communications company based in the United States. Its North American headquarters is in Englewood, Colorado. Up until 2006, Western Union was the best-known U.S...
Telegraph Co. In 1932, Governor Angus McLean
Angus Wilton McLean
Angus Wilton McLean was a lawyer and banker who was the 56th Governor of the U.S. state of North Carolina from 1925 to 1929...
appointed him a commissioner from North Carolina to the celebration of the two-hundredth anniversary of the birth of George Washington. Bellamy died in Wilmington in 1942.
Bellamy published Memoirs of an Octogenarian in 1942; this self-published memoir has become a valuable primary source for historians studying late nineteenth-century North Carolina history, politics, and law, and in particular the Wilmington Insurrection of 1898
Wilmington Insurrection of 1898
The Wilmington Insurrection of 1898, also known as the Wilmington Massacre of 1898 or the Wilmington Race Riot of 1898, occurred in Wilmington, North Carolina on November 10, 1898 and following days; it is considered a turning point in North Carolina politics following Reconstruction...
.