William L. Goggin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Leftwich Goggin
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 5th district |
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| In office March 4, 1847 – March 4, 1849 |
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| Preceded by | Shelton Leake |
| Succeeded by | Paulus Powell |
| In office May 10, 1844 – March 4, 1845 |
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| Preceded by | Thomas Walker Gilmer |
| Succeeded by | Shelton Leake |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 7th district |
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| In office March 4, 1839 – March 3, 1843 |
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| Preceded by | Archibald Stuart |
| Succeeded by | Henry A. Wise |
| Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Bedford County | |
| In office 1836-1837 |
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| Preceded by | Edmund Pate |
| Succeeded by | Thomas P. Mitchell |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 31, 1807 Bunker Hill, Virginia |
| Died | January 3, 1870 (aged 62) Liberty, Virginia |
| Resting place | Goggin Cemetery, Bunker Hill, West Virginia |
| Political party | Whig |
| Spouses | Mary C. Goggin Elizabeth C. Goddin |
| Alma mater | Winchester Law School |
| Profession | lawyer, politician |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Confederate States of America |
| Branch/service | Confederate Home Guard |
| Rank | Captain |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
William Leftwich Goggin (born May 31, 1807 – died January 3, 1870) was an important American lawyer and politician from Virginia. He was a member of the Whig Party in the 1800s.
Early Life and Family
William Goggin was born near Bunker Hill in Bedford County, Virginia. His parents were Mary Otey Leftwich and Pleasant Moorman Goggin. He came from well-known families in the area.
William received a good private education. He later studied law at the Winchester Law School in Frederick County, Virginia.
In May 1830, William married Mary Cook. They had a daughter named Sarah. After Mary passed away, William married Elizabeth Cook in November 1840. They had several children. Their son, Samuel Cook Goggin, also became a lawyer and politician, just like his father. Samuel even served in the Virginia Senate.
Political Career
After becoming a lawyer in 1828, William Goggin moved to Liberty, Virginia. This town was the main center of Bedford County, Virginia. He started his law practice there. He also farmed, and like many landowners at the time, used the labor of enslaved people.
William Goggin became a leading speaker and politician in Liberty. In 1835, voters in Bedford County chose him to represent them in the Virginia House of Delegates. He served one term from 1836 to 1837.
Later, in 1838, William Goggin was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He represented Virginia's 5th congressional district. He served several terms in Congress:
- From 1839 to 1843
- From 1844 to 1845
- From 1847 to 1849
During his time in Congress, he became the chairman of the United States House Committee on Post Office and Post Roads. This committee was in charge of mail services. President Millard Fillmore also chose him to be on the Board of Visitors for the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
In 1859, William Goggin ran for Governor of Virginia as the Whig candidate. However, he lost the election to Democrat John Letcher.
When the American Civil War was about to begin, William Goggin was chosen to represent Bedford County at the Virginia Secession Convention of 1861. At first, he supported staying with the Union. But after President Lincoln's speech, he decided to support Virginia leaving the Union.
During the Civil War, William Goggin's son, William L. Goggin Jr., joined the Confederate army. Sadly, his son became ill and passed away in 1861. William Goggin himself became a captain in the Home Guards for the Confederate Army. These guards helped protect local areas during the war.
After the war ended, President Andrew Johnson gave William Goggin a pardon in 1865. William continued to practice law until he passed away on January 3, 1870. He was buried in his family's cemetery near Bunker Hill, West Virginia.
