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John Anthony Quitman was born September 1,1798 in Rhinebeck, New York. After graduating from Hardwick Seminary in 1816, he taught English at Mount Airy College in Germantown, Pennsylvania. After moving to Ohio, he studied law and worked in a government land office. He was admitted to the bar in 1821 and opened a law office in Natchez, Mississippi. Quitman married Eliza Turner on December 24, 1824 and they would eventually have four children. He became involved in political affairs and was elected to the state house of representatives in 1827 and to the state senate in 1835. Elected president of the senate in December, 1835 he went on to serve as acting Governor of Mississippi in 1835-1836. During the Mexican war he served as brigadier general of Volunteers and participated in the Battle of Monterey. In 1847 he was promoted to Major General in the U.S. Army. Quitman was elected to Governor of Mississippi in 1849 and to the U.S. Congress in 1854 where he advocated the repeal of neutrality laws. He was reelected to Congress in 1856. He died near Natchez, Mississippi July 17,1858 allegedly from poison in food served during a banquet in Washington, D.C. for President Buchanan's inauguration. He is interred at the Natchez City Cemetery in Natchez. |
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