Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1884-11-04
Hon. @. j. FauIkner Dead.

r.
This widely-known public citizen
and distinguished statesman died at.
his home in Martinsburg on Saturday
morning last, and the news of his
demise is received with profoundre=
greet. Weappend a sketchof his life:
Mr.. Faulkner was born in Berkeley county,
Va. February, 1905, and is. therefore, in. the
18th year of his age. He received collegiate
education, aid came to the bar In Martnsburg
in 1929. He was member of the Virginia
Legislature of 1S31-S2. in which body he took
a leading part, though one of the youngest
members, thus carly displaying that industry
public life and in the pursuit of his profession.
Soon after hisserTicsin the House of Delegates
Mr.. Faulkner was appointed commissioner
to report upon the boundary between virginia
and Maryland, q duty which he discharged
promptly and intelligently. In 1871 Mr.. FaullS-
ner was elected to the Senate of Virginia. and
in 1913 WINS again elected to the House of Dele
gates. In 1850 he was elected member of the
convention formed TO revise the constitution
of the State. Up to this time Mr. Faulkner
had been decided wing in politics. had in
1851 he was elected az the Union candidate for
Congress over the Hon. Henry Bedinger, the
Democratic nominee. Upon the nomination
of Gen. Scott for President by the wings in
1852 Mr.. Faulkner left that party with the
Hon. A. n. Stephens. of Georgia, and Others
and allied himself with the Democrats! by
which party he was returned to Congress in
1855. 1855 and 1857. In 1859 he was n candI-s
date for reelection but was defeated by the
Hon. Alexander r. BOtcler. wing, that being
the third contest between these gentlemen for
seat in the House. lneacll contestthey made
joint canvass. and their debates always eX-
cited greut interest. both being eloquent speak
crs aud skilled debatcrs. During his service
i'll Congress Mr.. Faulkner was on sevcrallead-
ing committees, and was chairman of the mill
tary committee. nc was author of the bill
which was passed by Congress substituting the
civil for the military superfntendcncy in the
national arInOries. After his defeat for Con-
gress, Mr.. Faulkner was appointed United
States minister to France by President Bnch-
anan. and served his country with great credit
until the breaking out of the war. when nc re-
signed and returned home. Whilst in WASH
ihgtOn, closing his affairs, hewas arrested and
held as hostage for the return of II. S. Ma
graw, Of Pennsylvania. then q prisoner in
Richmond. Mr. Faulkner was released from
Fort Warren III December. 1851, and eXchang-
cd for Congressman Ely, of New York. who
WAS captured at the first battle of Manassas.-
Proceeding to Gen. StoncwQll Jac!sun's head
quarters. he was made CHIEF of staff of that
officer with whom lie served until the death Of
jackson. Hc it credited with having written
the admirable official reports of .Jacksons cam
paignS of 1862. At the close of the war. Afr
Faulkner engaged actively in the practice of
HIS ilIutSsSlDIl, lUG LOT years UaQ inc largest
and most lucrative practice of any lawyer III
West Virginia. In 1872 he was again elected
to Congress. and displayed his usual industry
III the discharge of his public duties. In 1880
he was candidate for the Democratic norni-
nation for Governor of West Virginia, and
was defeated by Gov. Jackson by a close vote.
Since then he had not sought political position.
and he'd to q large extent Withdrawn from the
practice of law but still retaining an interest
in political affairs. and ardcntly desiring the
success OF the Democratic party. "Boydyiuc.'
Alr. FuUlnucr's residence. i'll the suburbs ~
NlartinsbHrg. is one of the most beautiful
| homes in the Valley of Virginia. and attached
| to the lovely grounds is q farm of 7O0 ucrcs uf
| land unsurpassed for fertility.
Mr.. Faulkncr's wife was q daughter of Cen
cra Elisha Boyd. &c also has large family
of children, among them the Hon. T. Royd
Faulkner. Il leading lawyer and politician
Judge Charles James Faulkner Of the judicial
circuit composed of the counties of Bcrkeirv
Jefferson and Morgan: Mrs. Thus. S. Bocock
Mrs Joel w. Flood and Mrs. ". 5. Love. of
Virginia: Mrs. Aic&h"rrv. of NTartinsburg :
Mrs. j. p. Campbell. of Kentucky. and Mrs.
Pierce of \. ].
Despite the engagements of busy profess
sOn0i n!d public life. MIR. Faulkner was AL
ways foremost in every ENTERPRISE affecting the
prosperity of bis section. Tie was a successful
former and one Of the founders and first prcsi-
dr;It az til" Berkeley agricultural and Mechan-
ical Association. 1t WAS also through his e.I-
crss"tc direction that the construction of the
Martimsbur2 and Potomac Railroad was under
taken. and he was president of the rond until
| its absorption by the Cumberland Valley Road