Henry A. Edmundson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henry Alonzo Edmundson
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 12th district |
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| In office March 4, 1849 – March 3, 1861 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | June 14, 1814 Blacksburg, Virginia |
| Died | December 16, 1890 (aged 76) Shawsville, Virginia |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | Georgetown University |
| Profession | Politician, Lawyer |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America |
| Branch/service |  Confederate States Army |
| Rank |  Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit |  25th Virginia Cavalry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Henry Alonzo Edmundson (born June 14, 1814 – died December 16, 1890) was an important American politician and lawyer from Virginia. He served in the United States House of Representatives before the American Civil War. During the war, he became an officer in the Confederate States Army.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Henry Alonzo Edmundson was born in Blacksburg, Virginia. His father, also named Henry Edmundson, was a farmer and served in the Virginia government. Young Henry was named after his father. He grew up learning from private teachers. Later, he went to Georgetown College in Washington, D.C., where he completed his higher education. After college, he moved to Roanoke County to study law.
In 1840, Henry Edmundson married Mary Agnes Strother Lewis. They had four children together. Sadly, Mary Agnes passed away in 1848.
Law and Farming Career
Henry Edmundson became a lawyer in Virginia in 1838. He started his law practice in Salem, Virginia. In 1845, he was elected as the prosecutor for Roanoke County. Besides his legal work, Edmundson was also a farmer. Like many landowners in the South at that time, he used enslaved labor to work his farms.
Political Career in Congress
In 1848, Henry Edmundson was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He represented a large district in western Virginia. He was a member of the Democratic Party. He served in Congress until 1861, which was a very tense time in American history.
During his time in Congress, Edmundson often voted on issues related to slavery. For example, he voted against ending the slave trade in Washington, D.C. He also voted against allowing California to join the United States as a free state. He was re-elected several times, showing he had strong support from the voters in his district. From 1853 to 1855, he led a special committee that looked at spending on public buildings.
Congress was a place of strong disagreements before the Civil War. In 1854, during a debate about the Kansas–Nebraska Act, Edmundson was involved in a heated argument with another representative. Later, in 1856, he was present when a fellow congressman, Preston Brooks, attacked Senator Charles Sumner. While Brooks was punished, Edmundson was not. These events showed how divided and tense the country was becoming over the issue of slavery.
Service in the Civil War
As the country moved closer to war, Henry Edmundson strongly supported Virginia leaving the United States. In April 1861, he spoke at a large meeting in Roanoke, showing his support for secession. When Virginia decided to leave the Union, Edmundson resigned from Congress.
He then joined the Confederate States Army. In September 1861, he became a lieutenant colonel in the 54th Virginia Infantry. Later, he helped form a new unit called the 27th Battalion Partisan Rangers. He was promoted to Major and then to full Lieutenant Colonel in 1863. This unit later became the 25th Virginia Cavalry. He served until October 1864, when he left the army due to poor health.
Later Life and Legacy
After the Civil War ended, Henry Edmundson returned to practicing law. He also became involved in farming and buying and selling land. He bought a share of the Yellow Sulphur Spring Company, a mineral spring resort near his home.
Henry Alonzo Edmundson passed away at his home in Shawsville, Virginia on December 16, 1890. He was buried in his family's cemetery.
