Role Politician | Name William Dortch Political party Democratic Resigned May 10, 1865 | |
Preceded by Constituency established Similar People Waldo P Johnson, John Bullock Clark, George Davis, Augustus Maxwell, John Williams Walker | ||
Succeeded by Constituency abolished | ||
William Theophilus Dortch (August 23, 1824 – November 21, 1889) was a prominent North Carolina and Confederate States of America politician and lawyer.
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Early life
Dortch was born August 23, 1824 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.
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.
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.
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 in Goldsboro, North Carolina and was buried in Willow Dale Cemetery.