Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 04.djvu/289

 GHERARDI

GHOLSON

Lancaster. He was promoted lieuteiuiut fom- mander July IC, 1SG3, and while attached to the South Atlantic blockading squadron, saw his first battle in the assault and capture of Fort Macon, N.C., in 1863. He was transferred to the West Gulf blockading squadron and commanded the Cluiciira in 18G3. In 18C4 he commanded the steamer I'urt Kiiyal in the battle of Mobile Bay, and drew the tire of the Con- federate gunboats Morgan, Gaines and Selma from the Fed-
 * l;"'r^^^^,;. .-■ eral fleet by giving

•ji ':-l(?W 4» - tlieni chase and keep-

ing them on the defen- sive until the victory was gained by Farra- ^^ gut. He commanded the Pequot of the North Atlantic squadron until the close of the war. He was made commander in July,180(i.attached to the Pacific squadron, and was afterward stationed at the Philadelphia navy yard, 1868-70. In 1874 he was made captain and returned to the Pacific squadron. He commanded the flagship of the Mediterranean squadron, 1877-80; was made commodore in 188-t, and was on duty on the exam- ining board and as governor of the Naval home, 1884-86. In 1886 he was placed in command of the Brooklyn navy yard. He reached the rank of rear-admiral, Aug. 24, 1887, and in 1889 he was commander of the North Atlantic squadron, and sailed to Haiti whei-e the presence of the Ameri- can fleet, while maintaining a strict neutrality, enabled Hyppolite to establish the republic and restore peace. In 1893 Rear-Admiral Gherardi le 1 a squadron composed of the San Francisco, the Charleston, the Baltimore, the Boston, and the Yorktown, then the flower of the American navy, on a cruise down the Pacific coast and up the Atlantic, visiting all the important ports, hear- ing an invitation from the President to the presi- dents of the respective Central and South American republics to take part in the Colum- bian international naval parade in New York harbor, April 26-27, 1893. On liis arrival at Hampton Roads, Va.. he united with the fleets of Rear- Admirals Walker and Benham in the grand international naval review, of which he was in chief command. In June, 1893, he was, at his own request, placed in command of the Brooklyn navy yard. He was retired from active service, Nov. 10, 1894, after reaching the age of sixtj-two years. His naval service of forty-eight years in- cluded twenty-six years at sea sixteen on shore, and six on leave. He was elected commander-in-

chief of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States in 1896. at the annual meet- ing in Philadelphia.

QHOLSON, James Herbert, representative, was born in Ghulsonville, Va., in 1798; son of Maj. William Gholsou. He received an aca- demic education and was graduated at the College of New Jersey, A.B., 1820, A.M., 1823. He prac- tised law at Percival's, Va., and represented his district in the 23d congress, 1833-35; afterward serving as a judge of the circuit court of the state for many years. He died in Brunswick county, Va., July 2, 1848.

QHOLSON, Samuel Jameson, representative, was born in Madisou county, Ky., May 19, 1808. He removed to Russellville, Ala., in 1817, and was admitted to the bar in 1829. The following j'ear he removed to Athens, Miss. , and engaged in the practice of law. He was a member of the state legislature, 1833-36, and in 1837 was elected as a Democrat, a representative from Mississippi in the 34th congress, to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of David Dickson. He was re-elected to the 25th congress, serving 1837-39; was U.S. juige for the district of Mississippi, 1838-61, and in the latter year resigned to enter the Confed- erate army. He was promoted from private to c ipt lin, and led a company at the battle of Fort Donelson where he was wounded. He was again woun led at the battles of luka and Corinth, and in 1863 was appointed major-general of the state troops. He was promoted brigadier-general, June 1, 1864. He was twice wounded near Jack- son, Miss., and on Dec. 27, 1864, lost his right arm at Egypt, Miss. He was a representative in the state legislature in 1806 and 1878. He died at Aberdeen. Miss., Oct. 10, 1883.

QHOLSON, Thomas, representative, was born in Brunswick, Va.; son of Thomas Gholson, a planter. He was educated as a lawyer; was married to Ann, daughter of Col. W. W. and Elizabeth (Boothe) Yates, and represented his district in the 10th-14th congresses, having been elected successor to Representative John Clai- borne, who died Oct. 9, 1808. He died before the completion of the 10th congress at his home in Brunswick county, Va., in 1816.

QHOLSON, Thomas Saunders, represenxa- tive, was born in GholsonviUe, Va., Deo. 9, 1809; son of Maj. William Gholson. He was graduated at the University of Virginia in 1827; was admit- ted to the bar; elected judge of the state circuit court in 1859, and in 1SG3 was elected a repre- sentative in the Confederate congress serving 1862-65. He promoted the building of new rail- way lines in his native state, founded and helped to support a public library in Petersburg, Va., and was prominent in the councils of Virginia. He died at Savannah, Ga., Dec. 13, 1868.