John CRITCHER, Congress, VA (1820-1901)

CRITCHER John , a Representative from Virginia; born at Oak Grove, Westmoreland County, Va., on March 11, 1820; attended Brent's Preparatory School; was graduated from the University of Virginia at Charlottesville in 1839, and later pursued higher studies in France for three years; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1842 and commenced practice in Westmoreland County, Va.; served in the State senate 1861 and 1874-1877; member of the State secession convention in 1861; served as lieutenant colonel of Cavalry in the Confederate Army during the Civil War; appointed judge of the eighth judicial circuit of Virginia, but was removed under the resolution of Congress dated February 18, 1869, which provided that anyone who had borne arms against the United States should be dismissed from office within thirty days; elected as a Democrat to the Forty-second Congress (March 4, 1871-March 3, 1873); died in Alexandria, Va., September 27, 1901; interment in the Episcopal Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present