John Rufus Edie facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John R. Edie
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 18th district |
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| In office March 4, 1855 – March 3, 1859 |
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| Preceded by | John McCulloch |
| Succeeded by | Samuel Steel Blair |
| Member of the Pennsylvania Senate | |
| In office 1845-1846 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | January 14, 1814 Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, US |
| Died | August 27, 1888 (aged 74) Somerset, Pennsylvania, US |
| Resting place | Union Cemetery, Somerset |
| Political party | Opposition Republican |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1871 |
| Rank | Lieutenant colonel Brevet Colonel |
| Unit | 15th U.S. Infantry Regiment 8th U.S. Infantry Regiment |
| Commands | Regular Brigade, XIV Corps |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
John Rufus Edie (born January 14, 1814 – died August 27, 1888) was an important American politician and soldier. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives for Pennsylvania. He was a member of the Opposition Party and later the Republican Party. Edie also served as an officer in the United States Army during the American Civil War.
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John Edie's Early Life and Education
John Rufus Edie was born in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in 1814. He went to public schools in his hometown. Later, he attended Emmitsburg College in Emmitsburg, Maryland. After finishing college, he worked as the principal of the schools in Gettysburg for several years.
Edie decided to study law. He became a lawyer in 1840. After that, he started his law practice in Somerset, Pennsylvania. His son, John R. Edie Junior, also became a soldier. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, in 1861.
John Edie's Political Career
John Edie was active in politics. He served as a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate from 1845 to 1846. This is a group of elected officials who make laws for the state of Pennsylvania.
In 1847, he was chosen as the deputy attorney general. He held this important legal job until 1850. After that, he became the district attorney from 1850 to 1854. A district attorney is a lawyer who represents the government in court cases.
Serving in the U.S. Congress
Edie was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. He first won as a candidate for the Opposition Party. This was for the Thirty-fourth Congress. He was then reelected as a Republican for the Thirty-fifth Congress. The U.S. House of Representatives is where laws are made for the entire country. He chose not to run for reelection in 1858.
John Edie's Service in the Civil War
When the American Civil War began, John Edie joined the army. On May 14, 1861, he became a major in the 15th Infantry Regiment. This unit fought in the western part of the war.
He often commanded a group of regular soldiers called the Regular Brigade. This brigade was part of the XIV Corps. The XIV Corps was a large military unit within the Army of the Cumberland.
Promotions and Later Service
In September 1864, Edie was promoted to lieutenant colonel of the 8th Infantry Regiment. In the same month, he was also given the honorary rank of brevet colonel. A "brevet" rank is a temporary higher rank given for brave or important service.
Colonel Edie continued to serve in the army until January 1871. At that time, he was honorably discharged, meaning he left the military with a good record. After his military service, he went back to being a lawyer in Somerset, Pennsylvania. He passed away there in 1888 and was buried in the local Union Cemetery.
