Julius C. Alford
Julius Caesar Alford (May 10, 1799 – January 1, 1863) was an American slave owner, politician, soldier and lawyer. Biography Born in Greensboro, Georgia, in 1799, Alford studied law, gained admission to the state bar in 1809, and began practicing law in Lagrange, Georgia. Alford served in the Georgia House of Representatives and was a company commander during the Creek War. He was elected as an Anti-Jacksonian Representative from Georgia to the 24th United States Congress to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of George W. Towns. Alford served the remainder of that term from January 2, 1837, to March 3, 1837, and lost his reelection bid in 1836 to the 25th Congress. While serving in Congress in 1837, he called for a petition for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia by 22 slaves to be burnt, leading to the Gag Rule on slavery petitions. He also supported the forced removal of Creek Native American tribes from their land. Alford successfully ran for a term in the 26th Congress as a Whig and was re-elected to a second term for the 27th Congress. He resigned in the midst of that latter term and served from March 4, 1839, to October 1, 1841. After moving to Tuskegee, Alabama, Alford next moved near Montgomery, Alabama. He was a delegate to the Union convention at Montgomery in 1852 and returned to practicing law. He lost an 1855 campaign to represent Alabama in the 34th U.S. Congress. Alford was a member of the Alabama secession convention in 1861 which passed the Ordinance of Secession. He died on his plantation near Montgomery on January 1, 1863, and was buried there. References Retrieved on 2009-05-13 1799 births 1863 deaths People from Greensboro, Georgia National Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Georgia (U.S. state) Whig Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Georgia (U.S. state) Members of the Georgia House of Representatives Alabama Secession Delegates of 1861 Georgia (U.S. state) lawyers Politicians from Montgomery, Alabama People from LaGrange, Georgia Lawyers from Montgomery, Alabama Military personnel from Montgomery, Alabama People of the Creek War People of Alabama in the American Civil War Members of the United States House of Representatives who owned slaves