Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 3.djvu/161

 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

127

federate and Union soldiers in the same class with reference to admission to national soldiers' homes, and also giving national aid alike to Confederate and national state homes. He was during one session a lead- ing member of the committee on naval af- fairs. He delivered several able speeches, mainly in favor of financial econo'ny, and questions arising out of the acquisition of far-distant territory as the result of the Spanish-American war. He died, in Wash- ington City, February 8, 1907, while still a member of congress. He married, Novem- ber 30. 1881, Ellis, daughter of Hon. James Barbour, of Culpeper, Virginia.

Saunders, Edward Watts, is descended from John Saunders, a wealthy resident of York county, Virginia, who died aboui 1700. His grandfather was Judge Fleming Saunders, of Franklin county, and his father was Hon. Peter Saunders, who was a well- known member of the Virginia legislature. He is also descended from Robert Hyde, an early lawyer of York county, a descendant or connection of the famous Chancellor Ed- ward Hyde, Lord Clarendon, in evidence of which the name Chancellor has descended in the family. He was born in Franklin county, Virginia, October 25, i860, and has always resided in that county; educated at home, at the Bellevue High School of Bed- ford county, and University of Virginia, where he graduated in a number of academic schools, and in 1882 received the degree of B. L. ; was associated with Prof. F. P. Brent in the conduct of a high school in C'nancock, Accomac county; began the practice of law in Rocky Mount in 1882 ; in 1887 elected to legislature and re-elected for seven terms ; served as chairman of commit-

tee on privileges and elections and courts of justice; in 1899 elected speaker, and was such until 1901. when he was elected judge of the fourth circuit court ; under the oper- ation of the new constitution he became judge of the seventh circuit, and while so .'erving was elected to fill vacancy in fifty- ninth congress, caused by the resignation of Hon. C. A. Swanson; re-elected to sixtieth, sixty-first, sixty-second, sixty-third and six- ty-fourth congresses. :\Ir. Saunders is a man of fine talent and as a debater has few superiors.

Segar, Joseph E., born in King William county, Virginia, June i, 1804; attended the common schools; held several local offices; member of the state house of representa- tives ; elected as a Unionist to the Thirty- seventh congress (March 4, 1861-March 3, 1863) ; presented credentials on February 17, 1865, as United States senator-elect, to fill vacancy caused by the death of Lemuel J. Bowden ; he was not permitted to take his seat; unsuccessful Republican candi- date for election to the forty-fifth congress ; died in 1885.

Sener, James B., born at Fredericksburg, Virginia, May 18, 1837; completed prepara- tory studies; studied law, was admitted to the bar, and practiced; held several local offices ; army correspondent of the southern associated press with Gen. Lee's army ; dele- gate in the Republican national conven- tion in Philadelphia in 1872; elected as a Republican to the forty-third congress (March 4, 1873-March 3, 1875); died at Washington, D. C., November 18, 1903.

Slemp, Campbell, born in Lee county, Vir- ginia, December 2, 1839. son of Sebastian Slemp and Margaret Reasor, his wife, both