William Theophilus Dortch

William Theophilus Dortch (August 23, 1824 – November 21, 1889) was an American politician who served as a Confederate States senator from North Carolina from 1862 to 1865. He also served as Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives. He served in the North Carolina Senate from 1879 to 1885.

William Theophilus Dortch
Confederate States Senator
from North Carolina
In office
February 18, 1862 – May 10, 1865
Preceded byConstituency established
Succeeded byConstituency abolished
47th Speaker of the North Carolina House of Commons
In office
1860–1861
Preceded byThomas Settle Jr.
Succeeded byNathan N. Fleming
Member of the
North Carolina House of Commons
from Wayne County
In office
1852–1861
Preceded byCurtis H. Brogden
Succeeded byB. B. Rives
Personal details
Born(1824-08-23)August 23, 1824
Nash County, North Carolina
DiedNovember 21, 1889(1889-11-21) (aged 65)
Goldsboro, North Carolina
Political partyDemocratic

Early life

Dortch was born August 23, 1824[1] to William Dortch and his wife, Drusilla at his father's plantation, situated in Nash County, North Carolina about 5 miles from the town of Rocky Mount, North Carolina.[2]

Political career

Dortch was a member of the North Carolina General Assembly from 1852 to 1861. In 1860 Dortch served as Speaker of the House of Commons.[1] During the Civil War, Dortch served as a senator from North Carolina in the First Confederate Congress and the Second Confederate Congress (from 1862 to 1865). During his term, Dortch was accused of sexual improprieties with a minor, but was exonerated after an investigation. After the war, he again served in the legislature, first in the North Carolina House of Representatives, and then in the North Carolina Senate from 1879 to 1885. He was President pro tempore of that body from 1881 to 1883.

Death

Dortch died November 21, 1889[3] in Goldsboro, North Carolina and was buried in Willow Dale Cemetery.[4]

Personal life

Dortch married Elizabeth Pittman of Edgecombe County, North Carolina, they had seven children. Dortch later married Hattie Williams of Berryville, Virginia, they had four children.[3]

Notes

This article incorporates facts obtained from: Lawrence Kestenbaum, The Political Graveyard bio

References
  1. Warner, Jr., Ezra J. (1975), Biographical Register of the Confederate Congress, Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Louisiana State University Press, p. 853
  2. Strong, Robert C. (1916), North Carolina Reports, Volume 171, Raleigh, North Carolina: State of North Carolina, p. 842
  3. Strong, Robert C. (1916), North Carolina Reports, Volume 171, Raleigh, North Carolina: State of North Carolina, p. 853
  4. Warner, Jr., Ezra J. (1975), Biographical Register of the Confederate Congress, Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Louisiana State University Press, p. 80
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