Harrison H. Riddleberger
Harrison Holt Riddleberger | |
---|---|
United States Senator from Virginia | |
In office March 4, 1883 – March 4, 1889 | |
Preceded by | John W. Johnston |
Succeeded by | John S. Barbour, Jr. |
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates | |
In office 1871-1875 | |
Personal details | |
Born |
Edinburg, Virginia | October 4, 1844
Died |
January 24, 1890 45) Woodstock, Virginia | (aged
Political party | Readjuster |
Profession | Lawyer, soldier, newsman |
Harrison Holt Riddleberger (October 4, 1844 – January 24, 1890) was an American lawyer, newspaper editor, and politician from Woodstock, Virginia. He served in the Virginia House of Delegates and State Senate, and was U.S. Senator from Virginia from 1883 to 1889.[1]
Biography
Riddleberger was born in Edinburg, Virginia in Shenandoah County. During the American Civil War, he served in the Confederate Army for three years, reaching the rank of captain. After the war, he became a practicing attorney in Woodstock. He also held a number of public offices. In 1871, he was elected to the House of Delegates, serving until 1875. In 1876, he became a Commonwealth attorney of Shenandoah County, serving until 1880. In 1879, he was elected to the state Senate, serving until 1882. He was editor of the Shenandoah Democrat and the Virginian at Woodstock.[1]
In the late 1870s, Riddleberger joined former Confederate general and railroad builder William Mahone in forming a coalition of blacks, Republicans, and "Conservative" Democrats which became known as the Readjuster Party. The Readjusters dominated Virginia's politics for about 10 years, until a group of "Conservative" Democrats led by John S. Barbour, Jr. took power in the late 1880s.
Riddleberger was elected to the U.S. Senate as a Readjuster, serving from March 4, 1883, to March 4, 1889. In the Senate, he caucused with the Republicans. He served as chairman of the Committee on Manufactures (which later became the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation). He was not a candidate for reelection. He died the year after leaving the Senate, on January 24, 1890. He was interred at Cedarwood Cemetery in Edinburg.
References
- 1 2 Jones Salmon, Emily. "Harrison H. Riddleberger (1843–1890)". Encyclopedia Virginia/Dictionary of Virginia Biography. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
External links
- Harrison H. Riddleberger at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Harrison H. Riddleberger at Find a Grave
- Harrison H. Riddleberger at Encyclopedia Virginia
United States Senate | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by John W. Johnston |
U.S. Senator (Class 2) from Virginia March 4, 1883 – March 4, 1889 Served alongside: William Mahone, John W. Daniel |
Succeeded by John S. Barbour, Jr. |
|
|
|