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Quitman, John Anthony

soldier, educator, lawyer, state legislator, congressman, was born Sept. 1, 1799, in Rhinebeck, N. Y. He was professor of law in Mount Airy college, Pennsylvania. In 1820 he moved to Ohio, and in 1821 moved to Natchez, Miss. In 1827 he was elected a representative in the state legislature; in 1828 was appointed chancellor of the state, serving three years; and served as a delegate to a state constitutional convention. In 1835 he was elected to the state senate, and, as president of that body, was called upon to perform the duties of governor. In 1836 he distinguished himself as a soldier and leader in behalf of Texas against Mexico. He was judge of the high court of errors and appeals of Mississippi; served with distinction in the Mexican war, and was for a time the American governor of Mexico, and became a major-general in the army.

He was a presidential elector in 1848, and was governor of Mississippi in 1850.

In 1855 he was elected a representative in congress from Mississippi, and was reelected in 1857. He died July 17, 1858, in Natchez, Miss.