James L. Pugh facts for kids

Quick facts for kids James L. Pugh
United States Senator from Alabama
In office November 24, 1880 – March 3, 1897
Preceded by	Luke Pryor
Succeeded by	Edmund Pettus
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Alabama's 2nd district
In office March 4, 1859 – January 21, 1861
Preceded by	Eli Sims Shorter
Succeeded by	Charles Waldron Buckley
Personal details
Born	(1820-12-12)December 12, 1820 Burke County, Georgia
Died	March 9, 1907(1907-03-09) (aged 86) Washington, D.C.
Political party	Democratic
Signature

James Lawrence Pugh (December 12, 1820 – March 9, 1907) was an important political figure from Alabama. He served as a U.S. Senator and was also a member of the Confederate Congress during the American Civil War.

James L. Pugh: A Life in Politics

Mrs James L. Pugh

James Lawrence Pugh was born in Burke County, Georgia, in 1820. When he was about four years old, his family moved to Alabama. He received a good education and later decided to study law.

Becoming a Lawyer and Early Political Steps

Pugh studied law with a well-known lawyer named John Gill Shorter. In 1841, he passed his exams and became a lawyer. He started his law practice in Eufaula, Alabama.

He also became involved in politics early on. He was chosen to be a "presidential elector" in 1848 and again in 1856. A presidential elector is someone who casts a vote for president after the public has voted.

Serving in the U.S. Congress

From 1859 to 1861, James Pugh represented Alabama's second district in the United States House of Representatives. This is part of the U.S. Congress, where laws are made for the country. He was a member of the Democratic Party.

He left this position in January 1861. This was when Alabama decided to leave the United States, a period known as secession.

During the Civil War

After Alabama left the Union, Pugh joined the Confederate States Army as an officer. The Confederate States were the southern states that separated from the U.S.

Later, he was elected to serve in the Confederate Congress. This was the government of the Confederate States during the American Civil War. He represented Alabama's 8th District from 1862 until the war ended in 1865.

While in the Confederate Congress, he worked on the House Committee on Military Affairs. He was known for sometimes disagreeing with the Confederate President, Jefferson Davis.

After the War and Return to Politics

After the Civil War ended in 1865, James Pugh went back to being a lawyer. Once he regained his full rights as a citizen, he became active in politics again.

In 1874, he was the president of Alabama's Democratic state meeting. The next year, in 1875, he was a delegate for a meeting to write a new state constitution. He was also a presidential elector again in 1876.

In 1880, he was elected to the United States Senate. He filled a term that became open after another senator passed away. He was re-elected two more times. He served as a U.S. Senator from November 24, 1880, until March 4, 1897. He tried to be re-elected again but was not chosen by his party.

James Lawrence Pugh passed away in 1907.