University of Virginia Library

WILLIAM TERRY.

William Terry was born in Amherst county, Virginia, August 14th, 1824.
Received a classical education, graduating at the University of Virginia in
1848. Taught school. Studied law, was admitted to

William Terry

the bar, and commenced practice at Wytheville in
September, 1851. Was for some eighteen months one
of the editors and proprietors of the Telegraph. Was
in the military service of Virginia in the "John
Brown raid" in 1859. Entered the Confederate army
in April, 1861, as lieutenant in the Fourth Virginia
Infantry, "Stonewall Brigade." Served during the
war, and by successive promotions attained the rank
of brigadier-general March 20th, 1864. Was elected a
representative from Virginia in the Forty-second
Congress as a Conservative, receiving 10,398 votes,
against 4,384 votes for F. McMullen, Independent
Democrat, and 3,922 votes for R. W. Hughes, Republican, serving from
March 4th, 1871, to March 3d, 1873. Was again elected to the Forty-fourth
Congress as a Conservative, receiving 8,052 votes, against 1,821 votes for
G. W. Henderlite, Republican, and 6,760 votes for F. McMullen, Independent,
serving from December 6th, 1875, to March 3d, 1877. He was accidentally
drowned in Wohlford's Ford, Reed Creek, two miles south of Wytheville,
when returning from Grayson County Court, the 5th of September, 1888.