John Adams Gilmer

John Adams Gilmer

John Adams Gilmer(November 4, 1805 – May 14, 1868) was aCongressional RepresentativefromNorth Carolina.

Gilmer was born inGuilford County, North CarolinanearGreensboro.His parents were Robert Shaw Gilmer and Anne Forbes. He was the brother ofConfederateMaj. GenJeremy Francis Gilmer.Gilmer attended the public schools and an academy in Greensboro. After receiving his education, he taught school. He then studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1832 and began practice in Greensboro. He later served as the Guilford County solicitor. He was a member of theState senatefrom 1846 to 1856. In 1856, Gilmer was theWhigcandidate forGovernor of North Carolinabut was defeated. He was elected as the candidate of theAmerican Partyto the Thirty-fifth Congress and reelected as a candidate of theOpposition Partyto the Thirty-sixth Congress (March 4, 1859 – March 3, 1861). During the Thirty-sixth Congress, he was the Chairman of the Committee on Elections. In January 1861,Abraham Lincolnconsidered him for a position in his incoming cabinet, andWilliam H. Sewardsounded him out on the question, but Gilmer temporized until the matter was dropped.After secession, Gilmer served as a member of theSecond Confederate Congressin 1864. He served as a delegate to theUnion National ConventionatPhiladelphiain 1866. Gilmer died in Greensboro, North Carolina, and is interred in theOld First Presbyterian Church Cemeteryat theGreensboro Historical Museum.

See also

• Thirty-fifth United States Congress
• Thirty-sixth United States Congress

External links

• U.S. Congressional Biographical Directory