Pettus, Edmund W., U. S

Senator from Alabama, was born in Limestone County, Ala., June 6, 1821. Was educated at the common schools, and being admitted to the bar in 1842 began practice at Gainesville, Ala. In 1844 he was elected District Attorney, but before completing his term volunteered for service in the Mexican war, and was made lieutenant. Returning from the war, he joined a party of neighbors in 1849 who made the overland trip to California, but he remained in the far West two years, and returning was elected Judge of the Seventh Circuit, in which position he served until 1858, when he resigned and went to Selma, Ala. At the treaking out of the Civil War he promptly enlisted in the Confederate army, and served as Major and Brigadier-General from 1861-1865. He resumed practice of his profe ion until 1897, when he was elected United States Senator.