Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 2.djvu/149

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VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY


Davenport, Thomas, born in Cumberland county, \'irginia : completed preparatory studies: studied law; admitted to the bar, and practiced in Meadsville, Virginia ; elected as a Federalist to the nineteenth, twentieth, twenty-rirst, twenty-second and twenty-third congresses (March 4, 1825- March 3. iJ^iS) ; defeated for the twenty- f<.urth congress: died near Meadsville, Vir- ginia, •Xovem])er 18. 1838.

Dawson, John, born in \'irginia in 1762. He was graduated from Harvard College in 1782. and after pursuing a law course was admitted to the bar, but devoted himself chiefly to political affairs. In 1793 he was a presidential elector, voting for Washing- tc-n. He served in the state legislature and in the executive coimcil. and was a member of the constitutional convention. He jvas decked to congress in 1797. and by success- ive Ye-elections served uniil 1814. Presi- dent Adams made him bearer of dispatches to France in 1801. In the war of 1812 he rendered important services as aide to Gen- eral Jackson. He died in Washington City, March 30, 1814. while holding his seat in congress. He was a son of Rev. Musgrave Dawson, and a nephew of William and Thomas Dawson, presidents of William and Mary College. From his love of dress and fine manners he was known among his friends as **Beau Dawson."

Dc Jarnette, Daniel Colemaiu born near r.owling Green. Virginia, September 27, 1S22: pursued classical studies; served sev- eral years in the state house of delegates; elected as an anti-administration Democrat to the thirty-sixth congress ( March 4. 1859- March 3. 1861) ; re-elected to the thirty-sev- enth congress, but did not serve ; representa-


tive from Virginia to the first and second Confederate Congresses, 1862-1865: died at the White Sulphur Springs. Virginia. Au- gust 18, 1 881.

Doddridge, Fhilip, born in Wellsburg, iJedford county, X'irginia, May 17, 1773. He attended school in his native place, devot- ing himself principally to the study of Latin. .-\i*ter leaving school he made a trip down the Mississippi river on a flatboat. After his return he studied law. was admitted to the bar and practiced in Wellsburg, recog- nized as the best lawyer in western \'ir- ginia. He was a member of the house of delegates. i8i5-i^». and 1822-23. He was a hading member of the constitutional con- vention of 1829-30. He was elected tu con- gress in 1829 and re-elected, continuing a member until his death, which occurred when he was serving on a committee to codify the laws relating to the District of Columbia. He possessed wonderful powers of condensation : the proper words seemed to fall -into their proper places, and Daniel Webster said of him, "Phih'p Doddridge was the only man I really feared in debate." He died in Washington City. November 19, 1832, and was buried in the Congressional Cemetery.

Draper, Joseph, born in Virginia : elected to the twenty-first congress, to fill the va- cancy caused by the death of Alexander Smyth ; re-elected to the twenty-second con- gress and served from December 6. 1830, to March 2, 1833. He resided in Wythe county, V^irginia.

Dromgoole, George Coke, born in Law- lenceville, Brunswick county, Virginia, j.bout 1705; completed preparatory studies: studied law and was admitted to the bar;


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