William Theophilus Dortch
| William Dortch | |
|---|---|
| Confederate States Senator from North Carolina | |
|
In office February 18, 1862 – May 10, 1865 | |
| Preceded by | Constituency established |
| Succeeded by | Constituency abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
August 23, 1824 Nash County, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Died |
November 21, 1889 (aged 65) Goldsboro, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
William Theophilus Dortch (August 23, 1824 – November 21, 1889) was a prominent North Carolina and Confederate States of America politician and lawyer.
Early life
Dortch was born August 23, 1824[1] to William Dortch and his wife, Drusilla at his father's plantation, situated in Nash County, North Carolina about 5 miles from the town of Rocky Mount, North Carolina.[2]
Family life
Dortch married Elizabeth Pittman of Edgecombe County, North Carolina, they had seven children. Dortch later married Hattie Williams of Berryville, Virginia, they had four children.[3]
Political career
Dortch was a member of the North Carolina General Assembly from 1852 to 1861. In 1860 Dortch served as Speaker of the House of Commons.[1]
During the Civil War, Dortch served as a senator from North Carolina in the First Confederate Congress and the Second Confederate Congress (from 1862 to 1865). During his term, Dortch was accused of sexual improprieties with a minor, but was exonerated after an investigation.
After the war, he again served in the legislature, first in the North Carolina House of Representatives, and then in the North Carolina Senate from 1879 to 1885. He was President pro tempore of that body from 1881 to 1883.
Death and burial
Dortch died November 21, 1889[3] in Goldsboro, North Carolina and was buried in Willow Dale Cemetery.[4]
References
- 1 2 Warner, Jr., Ezra J. (1975), Biographical Register of the Confederate Congress, Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Louisiana State University Press, p. 853.
- ↑ Strong, Robert C. (1916), North Carolina Reports, Volume 171, Raleigh, North Carolina: State of North Carolina, p. 842.
- 1 2 Strong, Robert C. (1916), North Carolina Reports, Volume 171, Raleigh, North Carolina: State of North Carolina, p. 853.
- ↑ Warner, Jr., Ezra J. (1975), Biographical Register of the Confederate Congress, Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Louisiana State University Press, p. 80.
This article incorporates facts obtained from: Lawrence Kestenbaum, The Political Graveyard bio
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Thomas Settle |
Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives 1860–1861 |
Succeeded by Nathan Fleming |
| Preceded by William Graham |
President pro tempore of the North Carolina Senate 1881–1883 |
Succeeded by Edwin Boykin |
| Confederate States Senate | ||
| New constituency | Confederate States Senator (Class 2) from North Carolina 1862–1865 Served alongside: George Davis, Edwin Reade, William Graham |
Constituency abolished |
| Class 1 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 2 | ||
| Class 3 | ||