Appointed by Chester Arthur Preceded by District established Preceded by John T. Harris Party Readjuster Party | Education University of Virginia Preceded by Alexander Rives Name John Sr. Resigned September 5, 1883 | |
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Succeeded by Charles Triplett O\'Ferrall Role Former U.S. Representative Died November 1, 1901, Harrisonburg, Virginia, United States Previous office Representative (VA 7th District) 1881–1883 | ||
Succeeded by Henry C. McDowell, Jr. Battles and wars American Civil War | ||
John Paul (June 30, 1839 – November 1, 1901) was a U.S. Representative and federal judge from Virginia.
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Early and family life
Born June 30, 1839 in Rockingham County, Virginia at Ottobine, John Paul attended the local schools. He had begun at Roanoke College when the American Civil War began and the Virginia declared its secession. After the war, Paul studied law at the University of Virginia, graduating in 1867.
He married Katherine Seymour Green on November 19, 1874. Their son John Paul, also became a U.S. representative and federal judge.
Confederate officer
During the Civil War, John Paul entered the Confederate States Army and became a captain in the 1st Virginia Cavalry.
Legal, legislative and judicial career
Paul was admitted to the bar in 1867 and commenced practice in Harrisonburg. He served as the Commonwealth's attorney for Rockingham County from 1870 to 1877.
After restoration of civil rights to Confederate veterans, Paul won election to represent Rockingham County in the Virginia Senate, and served one term in that part-time position, from 1877 to 1880. In 1878 he ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the Forty-sixth Congress.
John Paul defeated both Republican and Democratic opponents to win election as a Readjuster Democrat to the Forty-seventh Congress (March 4, 1881 – March 3, 1883), succeeding John T. Harris. He appeared to win re-election and served from March 4, 1883, until September 5, 1883, when he resigned to take his judicial position. The seemingly losing candidate, Democrat Charles Triplett O'Ferrall, was determined the victor in the 1882 campaign after demanding a re-count.
President Chester A. Arthur nominated John Paul to become judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia by, filling the seat vacated by Alexander Rives.
Death and legacy
He served as federal judge from September 5, 1883, until his death in Harrisonburg, Virginia, on November 1, 1901. Judge John Paul was interred in Woodbine Cemetery. Theodore Roosevelt appointed Henry C. McDowell Jr. to replace Judge Paul. Although the Readjuster Party did not survive into the 20th Century, the U.S. Supreme Court eventually agreed with part of its platform and allocated part of Virginia's pre-Civil War debt to what became West Virginia in that war.
His son, John Paul Jr., also served as U.S. Representative and as judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia.