Samuel J. Gholson

Born on May 19, 1808, near Richmond[1] in Madison County, Kentucky,[2] Gholson moved with his father to Franklin County, Alabama and attended the common schools.[1] He read law and was admitted to the bar at Russellville, Alabama in 1829.[1] He entered private practice in Athens, Monroe County, Mississippi from 1830 to 1839.[2] He was a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1835 to 1836, and in 1839.[2]

Gholson was elected as a Jacksonian Democrat (now Democrat) from Mississippi's at-large congressional district to the United States House of Representatives of the 24th United States Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of United States Representative David Dickson and served from December 1, 1836, to March 3, 1837.[1] He presented credentials as a Democratic member-elect to the 25th United States Congress and served from July 18, 1837, until February 5, 1838, when the seat was declared vacant.[1]

Gholson was nominated by President Martin Van Buren on February 9, 1839, to a joint seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi vacated by Judge George Adams.[2] He was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 13, 1839, and received his commission the same day.[2] His service terminated on January 10, 1861, due to his resignation upon the secession of Mississippi from the Union.[2] Gholson was a member of the Mississippi secession convention in 1861.[1]

During the American Civil War, Gholson served in the Confederate States Army as a private, captain, colonel, brigadier general, and major general of state troops.[1] He became brigadier general of the Confederate States Army in June 1863, and was placed in command of a brigade of cavalry.[1] He was a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1865 to 1866, and in 1878.[2] He resumed private practice in Aberdeen, Mississippi from 1866 to 1878, and from 1878 to 1883.[2] He died on October 16, 1883, in Aberdeen.[2] He was interred in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Aberdeen.[1]

• List of American Civil War generals (Confederate)

• Eicher, John H., and David J. Eicher, Civil War High Commands. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2001. ISBN 978-0-8047-3641-1.
• Sifakis, Stewart. Who Was Who in the Civil War. New York: Facts On File, 1988. ISBN 978-0-8160-1055-4.

• United States Congress. "Samuel J. Gholson (id: G000149)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• Warner, Ezra J. Generals in Gray: Lives of the Confederate Commanders. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1959. ISBN 978-0-8071-0823-9.