Biography of William D. Bloxham, Tallahassee, Leon Co., FL

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Barbara Walker Winge,
barbarawinge@yahoo.com

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WILLIAM D. BLOXHAM, GOVERNOR OF FLORIDA

     William D. Bloxham, Governor of Florida, was born in Leon County, Florida, July
09, 1836.  His father, William Bloxham, was one of the pioneer settlers in that
section of Florida,  having removed thither from Virginia, in 1825.  His mother,
Martha Williams, was born in Twiggs County, Georgia, and moved to Florida at a very
early age.
     Young Bloxham was placed at a county school in his native county, until he was
thirteen years of age, and was then sent to Virginia, where he spent seven years at
school and college, first at Rappahannock Acadmey, then under charge of George G.
Butler, assisted by Wm. Mahone, the present Senator from Virginia.  After leaving
this academy he entered William and Mary College, and there graduated in the class
of 1856.  Having studied law in the Law-School of that venerable Institution, he was
admitted to practice in the courts of his native State.  His health failing, he
traveled in Europe for some time, and upon his return abandoned all idea of
practicing in his profession, for the more active life of a planter.   In November,
1856, he was married, at Lynchburg, Virginia, to Miss Mary C. Davis, formerly of
that city, but who, at the time was a resident of Florida.
     His natural taste and fondness for politics early led him into political life.
Notwithstanding his youth, he took an active part in the election of Buchana, and in
1861 was elected to the Legislature, from his native county, without opposition...
     Governor Bloxham is in the prime of manhood, and stands in the front rank of
Florida's statesmen.  No one exerts a greater influence as a public speaker, and no
one is more thoroughly known among the people of the State.

Ref:  Headley, P. C., PUBLIC MEN OF TO-DAY, 1882, S. S. Scranton & Company,
Hartford, pp. 695-698.

[Contributed by Barbara Walker Winge,  barbarawinge@yahoo.com]