William Theophilus Dortch Explained

William Theophilus Dortch
Office:Confederate States Senator
from North Carolina
Term Start:February 18, 1862
Term End:May 10, 1865
Predecessor:Constituency established
Successor:Constituency abolished
Office2:47th Speaker of the North Carolina House of Commons
Term Start2:1860
Term End2:1861
Preceded2:Thomas Settle Jr.
Succeeded2:Nathan N. Fleming
Office3:Member of the
North Carolina House of Commons
from Wayne County
Term Start3:1852
Term End3:1861
Preceded3:Curtis H. Brogden
Succeeded3:B. B. Rives
Birth Date:23 August 1824
Birth Place:Nash County, North Carolina
Death Place:Goldsboro, North Carolina
Party:Democratic

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.

Early life

Dortch was born August 23, 1824 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.

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. 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 in Goldsboro, North Carolina and was buried in Willow Dale Cemetery.

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.

Notes

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External links

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