John W. Leftwich facts for kids
John William Leftwich (born September 7, 1826 – died March 6, 1870) was an American politician. He was a member of the United States House of Representatives for Tennessee. This means he was a representative for the people of Tennessee in the U.S. government.
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Who Was John William Leftwich?
John William Leftwich was an important figure in American politics during the 1800s. He served his home state of Tennessee in the U.S. Congress. He also held the important job of mayor in the city of Memphis.
Early Life and Education
John William Leftwich was born on September 7, 1826. His birthplace was a town called Liberty, which is now known as Bedford, Virginia. This town is located in Bedford County, Virginia.
As a young man, he went to public school. He then decided to study medicine. In 1850, he graduated from Philadelphia Medical College. After finishing his studies, he moved to Memphis, Tennessee. There, he worked as a merchant, which means he was involved in buying and selling goods.
A Career in Politics
John William Leftwich became involved in politics during a time of big changes in the United States. He believed in keeping the country united.
Serving in Congress
After the state of Tennessee was allowed to send representatives to Congress again, John William Leftwich was elected. He was chosen as a member of the Unionist group. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from July 24, 1866, to March 3, 1867. He tried to be re-elected but was not successful that time.
Becoming Mayor of Memphis
In 1868, he was a delegate at the Democratic National Convention. This was a big meeting where the Democratic Party chose its candidate for president. Later, in 1869 and 1870, John William Leftwich became the mayor of Memphis. The mayor is the leader of a city.
His Later Years
John William Leftwich continued to be active in politics. He challenged the election results for another politician named William J. Smith. Leftwich was on his way to Washington to argue his case. However, he sadly passed away in Lynchburg, Virginia, on March 6, 1870. He was buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Memphis.
