George W. Hansbrough facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Woodson Hansbrough
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| Born | August 16, 1828 Culpeper County, Virginia U.S. |
| Died | July 26, 1896 (aged 67) Salem, Virginia, U.S. |
| Buried |
East Hill Cemetery Salem, Virginia
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| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America |
| Service/ |
 Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1865 |
| Rank |  Lt.Col. |
| Unit | 9th Battalion |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Camp Allegheny |
| Spouse(s) | Virginia Chancellor |
| Children | T.C. Hansbrough |
George Woodson Hansbrough (born September 14, 1828 – died July 26, 1896) was an important person from Virginia. He worked as a farmer, a lawyer, and a soldier. Later in his life, he wrote down and published decisions from the Virginia Supreme Court, which is the highest court in Virginia.
During the American Civil War, George Hansbrough helped form a group of soldiers for the Confederate States Army. These soldiers came from an area that later became West Virginia. He also formed another group of soldiers from near Roanoke, Virginia.
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Early Life and Education
George Hansbrough was born on September 14, 1828, in Culpeper County, Virginia. His parents were Alexander Hamilton Hansbrough and Elizabeth Clayton Strother. George was 18 years old when his father passed away.
He had a brother, John Strother Hansbrough, who became a long-serving leader at St. Thomas Episcopal Church. George also had four younger sisters. He received a private education and later graduated from the University of Virginia in 1855.
In the past, some families in Virginia owned enslaved people. George Hansbrough's family owned enslaved people in the 1840s and 1850s. He also owned at least one enslaved person in Taylor County in 1860.
On November 8, 1851, George Hansbrough married Mary Virginia Chancellor. They had three daughters and a son named Livingston Chancellor Hansbrough.
Career as a Lawyer and Soldier
After finishing law school at the University of Virginia, Hansbrough moved to Pruntytown, West Virginia. This town was an important crossroads at the time. He worked as a teacher and started his own law practice there. He became a lawyer and was elected as the local prosecutor, known as the Commonwealth Attorney.
When Virginia decided to leave the United States, leaders like Governor John Letcher and General Robert E. Lee sent officers to recruit soldiers. Many people in Taylor County, where Hansbrough lived, wanted to stay with the Union. This area later became the state of West Virginia.
George Hansbrough helped recruit soldiers for the Confederate Army. He became a captain of a group that was part of the 9th Battalion. He officially joined the army on June 3, 1861. By the end of that month, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, a rank he held throughout the war.
Serving in the Civil War
In December 1861, Lieutenant Colonel Hansbrough was badly wounded while leading his soldiers during the Battle of Camp Allegheny. His unit was defending their winter camp. In the spring of 1862, his unit joined with another group because they had lost many soldiers.
Later, in August 1862, because of his injuries and his unit being split up, he asked to work as a clerk in the Confederate Treasury department. He also asked for permission to gather more soldiers. He became the Lieutenant Colonel of Hansbrough's Roanoke Battalion, which included soldiers called to duty and those kept ready. This battalion began service by October 6, 1864.
Life After the War
After the Civil War ended, Hansbrough moved with his family to different places in Virginia, including Botetourt County, Virginia, and later near Roanoke County, Virginia. His family lived and farmed for about 20 years near Salem, Virginia.
Hansbrough tried to get a railroad line to come through Salem. However, a nearby town called Big Lick was chosen instead. Big Lick later grew into the city of Roanoke.
In 1891, Hansbrough moved into the town of Salem. His son, L.C. Hansbrough, also became a lawyer and joined his father's law practice. George Hansbrough was also active in the Republican Party and his church, St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
Later in his life, George Hansbrough was chosen to be the official reporter for the Virginia Supreme Court. This meant he was responsible for writing down and publishing the decisions made by the court's judges. He held this important job for 12 years, publishing many volumes of court reports.
Final Years and Legacy
George Hansbrough passed away in Salem on July 26, 1896, about a week after having a stroke. He was buried at East Hill Cemetery in Salem, along with his daughters, and later his wife and son.
