Hemphill, John, 1803-1862

Born to John Hemphill and Jane Lind in Blackstock, South Carolina, John Hemphill (1803-1862) graduated from Jefferson College in 1825. Four years later, Hemphill studied law in Columbia, South Carolina, and founded his own law practice. Following his admission to practice law in the Court of Chancery and serving in the Seminole War as a lieutenant, he moved to Washington-on-the-Brazos, Texas, in 1838. In addition to establishing a law practice, Hemphill was appointed judge of the Fourth Judicial District and associate justice of the Republic of Texas Supreme Court two years later. In 1846, he was elected a chief justice, a position he held again in 1851 and 1856. As Sam Houston’s replacement in the Texas Senate in 1859, Hemphill supported the secession of southern states during the Civil War and became a delegate to the Provisional Confederate Congress. In November 1861, he was elected to the First Regular Congress, but died three months later and was buried in Austin.

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