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Preston, William Ballard

secretary of navy, was born Nov. 25, 1805, in Smithfield, Va. He graduated from the university of Virginia, and attained prominence as a successful lawyer. He served a number of terms in the Virginia state senate; and in 1846 was sent to congress. In 1849 was appointed secretary of navy. He was elected to the confederate senate in 1861; and was a member of that body at the time of his death. He died Nov. 16, 1862, in Montgomery county, Va. PRESTON, WILLIAM CAMPBELL, lawyer, United States senator, was born Dec. 27, 1794, in Philadelphia, Pa. He was admitted to the bar in 1821, and commenced the practice of law in Virginia. In 1822 he moved to Columbia, S. C.; and in 1832 was elected to the senate of the United States from South Carolina. In 1855 he became president of the university of South Carolina. He died May 22, 1860, in Columbia, S. C.