VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY
I-GOVERNORS OF THE STATE—1861-1915
Letcher, John, son of William Letcher, was born at Lexington, Rockbridge county, Virginia, March 28, 1813. He took a course at Washington College, and graduated in 1833 from Randolph-Macon College, where he also studied law. He entered upon practice in Lexington, and for some time was also editor of the "Valley Star." In 1850 he sat in the constitutional convention; as a Democrat he served in congress, 1852-59, and was active on the ways and means committee. He was governor from January 1, 1859, to January 1, 1864, thus holding the office at the time of secession, which policy he had previously opposed, but earnestly supported when the Federal government resorted to force; and it was at his instance that the state forces were at once placed at the disposal of the Confederate government, without waiting for a vote of the people. At the close of the war he resumed practice at Lexington, and in 1875 was elected a member of the house of delegates. In 1876, while attending upon the house, he was stricken with paralysis. He lingered eight years, and finally died at his home in Lexington, January 26, 1884.
Smith, William, second term, January 1, 1864-May 9, 1865 (q. v.).
Pierpont, Francis H., born in Monongahela county, Virginia, January 25, 1814. He graduated from Allegheny (Pennsylvania) College in 1839, then taught school in Mississippi, studied law, returned home, and entered upon practice at Fairmont, Marion county. He was a pronounced anti-slavery man, and at the Wheeling convention in 1861, called to reorganize the state government, was unanimously chosen governor, and held office under this election for a year; meanwhile he was elected by the people of West Virginia to fill an unexpired term of two years, and subsequently re-elected for the full four-year term. After the division of Virginia into two separate states in 1863 he removed the state archives to Alexandria, convened a so-called legislature, remained there two years, and in 1864 called a convention which decreed the abolition of slavery. May 29, 1865, he removed the seat of government to that city. On the expiration of his term as governor, he resumed practice at Fairmont; in 1870 he was elected to the West Virginia legislature; and served as collector of internal revenue under President Garfield.
Wells, Henry Horatio, born in Rochester, New York, September 17, 1823; educated at Romeo (Michigan) Academy, and was a lawyer. He was a member of the Michigan legislature in 1854-56. He was colonel of the Twenty-sixth Michigan Infantry in the civil war, serving with distinction, and was brevetted brigadier-general. In 1865 he settled in Richmond, Virginia, and engaged in law practice. In 1868 he was appointed provisional governor, under military authority.
