John Sergeant Wise(December 27, 1846 – May 12, 1913) was an American author, lawyer, and politician inVirginia.He was the son ofHenry A. Wiseand Sarah Sergeant.
John Sergeant Wise | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromVirginia'sAt-largedistrict | |
| In office March 4, 1883 – March 3, 1885 | |
| Preceded by | District created |
| Succeeded by | District abolished (Virginia's House delegationwhen district re-established in 1933) |
| United States Attorneyfor the Eastern District of Virginia | |
| In office May 1882 – March 1883 | |
| Appointed by | Chester A. Arthur |
| Preceded by | Lunsford L. Lewis |
| Succeeded by | Edmund Waddill Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 27, 1846 Rio de Janeiro,Empire of Brazil |
| Died | May 12, 1913(aged 66) Princess Anne,Maryland,U.S. |
| Resting place | Richmond, Virginia |
| Political party | Readjuster Party |
| Alma mater | Virginia Military Institute University of Virginia |
| Profession | lawyer, writer |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Confederate States |
| Branch/service | VMI Cadets Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1864–1865 |
| Rank | First lieutenant |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Early life
editJohn was born inRio de Janeiroin 1846, while his father was U.S. Minister to theEmpire of Brazil.He lived as a youth with his father and others at Rolleston, their plantation on theElizabeth Riveroutside Norfolk, Virginia. His father served as a US Congressman before being elected as Governor of Virginia in 1856. After being privately tutored as a youth, Wise attendedVirginia Military Institute.
Still a student when theAmerican Civil Warbegan, Wise served with the VMI Corps of Cadets at theBattle of New Market.Ordered to guard the Cadets' baggage train, he defied those orders to stay there, and took part in the Cadets' famous charge. After the battle, Wise accepted an officer's commission in theConfederate States Army.[2]
Law and politics
editAfter the war, Wise studied law at theUniversity of Virginia,where he was initiated as a Brother ofBeta Theta Pifraternity in 1867. That same year he graduated and wasadmitted to the bar.
Wise practiced law inRichmond, Virginiafor many years. In 1880, he was an unsuccessful candidate forU.S. Representative.In May 1882, he was appointedUnited States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia,serving until March 1883.
Later in 1882, Wise was elected U.S. Representative for Virginia'sat-largeseat as a "Readjuster"– a label used by a coalition ofRepublicansand dissident VirginiaDemocrats.He served in the48th United States Congress,from 1883 to 1885.[2]
Before the 1884 elections, Virginia's districts were redrawn, abolishing the at-large seat. Wise did not seek re-election from a district. Instead, in1885he ran for Governor of Virginia as a Republican, but lost to DemocratFitzhugh Lee.
In November 1902, Wise was the attorney of records in two federal lawsuits--Jones v. Montague,194 U.S. Reports 147-153 (1904) andSelden v. Montague,194 U.S. Reports 153 (1904)--which concerning theVirginia Constitutional Convention of 1902.The former was on behalf of voters inVirginia's 3rd congressional districtagainst Virginia's Governor Andrew Jackson Montague as well as the Secretary of the Commonwealth and the Auditor of Public Accounts, and sought awrit of prohibitionagainst counting the November 1902 election returns and also complained that the party in power sought to disenfranchise colored voters. The convention's delegates by a 47 to 38 majority voted not to submit their work product (which disenfranchised most Black and poor white voters) to voters as promised earlier, but instead proclaimed it as in effect as of July 10, 1902.[3]The federal courts ruled they had no jurisdiction and relied upon a South Carolina constitutional convention case, "Mills v. Green", 159 U.S. 651 (1895). U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brewer took judicial notice that the U.S. House of Representatives had seated the congressmen elected by Virginia voters that year and "the thing sought to be prohibited has been done and cannot be undone by order of court", so the U.S. Supreme Court declined to get involved.[4]By the 1904 election, fifty percent fewer white, and ninety percent fewer black men voted.[5]
Last years
editWise later moved toNew York City,and practiced law there until his retirement. He died in 1913, nearPrincess Anne, Maryland,and was buried in Richmond.[6]
Literary career
editJohn Wise wrote several books, most notably a memoir entitledThe End of an Era(1899), which has been reprinted in numerous editions since its first publication. A full text edition is available online at the University of North Carolina's website,Documenting the American South.[7]It describes his boyhood in the last days before the Civil War, while he was living on his father's plantation "Rolleston" in Virginia, with a childhood slave companion and friend. He also discusses the war years, his father's role in the war, and his family.
Principal literary works
edit- Diomed: The Life, Travels, and Observations of a Dog(1897)
- The End of an Era(1899)
- The Lion's Skin: a Historical Novel and a Novel History(1905)
- Recollections of Thirteen Presidents(1906)
Family
editOn November 3, 1869, he married Evelyn Byrd Beverly Douglas, daughter of Hugh Douglas and Nancy Hamilton. John and Evelyn had nine children, seven sons and two daughters:
- John Sergeant Wise (died young)
- Hugh Douglas Wise
- Henry Alexander Wise
- John Sergeant Wise (as was custom, he was given the same name as an older brother who died young, in order to carry on his father's name)
- Hamilton Wise
- Eva Douglas Wise
- Jennings Cropper Wise(recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross during the First World War, he became Commandant of Virginia Military Institute)
- Margaretta Watnough Wise
- Byrd Douglas Wise
New York State SenatorHenry A. Wise(1906–1982) was his grandson.
In popular culture
editWise was portrayed byLuke Benwardin the 2014 filmField of Lost Shoes,which depicted the Battle of New Market.
References
edit- ^Book Reviews, 1899, Volume 7, p. 335
- ^ab"Wise, John Sergeant".United States Congress.RetrievedMay 21,2015.
- ^Brent Tarter, The Grandees of Government (University of Virginia Press 2013) p. 265, citing Report of the Proceedings and Debates of the Constitutional Convention State of Virginia Held in the City of Richmond June 12, 1901 to June 26, 1902, pp. 19-20
- ^Tarter p. 270 citing Brewer opinion available on wikisource
- ^Tarter p. 268
- ^"John Sergeant Wise".Find A Grave.RetrievedMay 21,2015.
- ^Wise, John."The End of an Era".University of North Carolina.RetrievedMay 21,2015.
External links
edit- United States Congress."WISE, John Sergeant (id: W000651)".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- Works by John Sergeant WiseatLibriVox(public domain audiobooks)
