Rockbridge County Virginia USGenWeb Archives Biographies.....Letcher, John March 28, 1813 - January 26, 1884
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Alice Warner http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00015.html#0003503 February 7, 2008, 7:16 am

Author: Lyon Gardiner Tyler LL D

Letcher, John, son of William Letcher, was born at Lexington, Rockbridge county,
Virginia, March 28, 1813. He took a course at Washington College, and graduated
in 1833 from Randolph-Macon College, where he also studied law. He entered upon
practice in Lexington, and for some time was also editor of the "Valley Star."
In 1850 he sat in the constitutional convention; as a Democrat he served in
congress, 1852-59 and was active on the ways and means committee. He was
governor from January 1, 1859 to January 1, 1864, thus holding office at the
time of secession, which policy he had previously opposed, but earnestly
supported when the Federal government resorted to force; and it was at his
instance that the state forces were at once placed at the disposal of the
Confederate government, without waiting for a vote of the people. At the close
of the war he resumed practice at Lexington, and in 1875 was elected a member of
the house of delegates.
In 1876, while attending upon the house, he was stricken with paralysis. He
lingered eight years, and finally died at his home in Lexington, January 26, 1884.

Additional Comments:
From: 

Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography, under the Editorial Supervision of Lyon
Gardiner Tyler LL D
President of William and Mary College, Williamsburg; Author of "Parties and
Patronage in the United States" "The Cradle of the Republic" "Williamsburg the
old Colonial Capital" "England in America" "The Life and Times of the Tylers"
etc.; Vice President of the Virginia Historical Society, Member of the Maryland
Historical Society, and various other societies.

Volume III

New York 
Lewis Historical Publishing Company 
1915



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