Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-04-10
Death Of Ex-6ov James L. Kemper.

Death Of Ex-6ov. James L. Kemper.
In the death Of Ex-Governor James
L. Kemper, which occurred last Sun
day, the State of Virginia has lost one
OF her ablest citizens and most gallant
and distinguished soldiers. Since the
battle Of Gettysburg,..he has been a
sufferer from the severe wounds he re-
ceived whilst heroicly leading his COM
mand in Pickett's immortal charge.
The.following is a brief sketch of
his life:-
HsJames Lawson Kemper, the 34th
Governor of Virginia from 1874 to 1878,
was born in Madison county, Va,
June II, 1928 He was descended from
John Kemper, who came to Virginia
in 1714, as q member of one of the
twelve families from Oldenburg. seat
ed by Gov. Alexander Spottswood, up
on his lands at Germania. in Virginia.
His mothers grandfather was John
Jasper Stadler. colonel of engineers
on Washington's staff and his uncle.
John Stadler Allison, was distin-
guished officer in the war of 1912.
After study in schools of his native
;.
degree at Washington College, Lexing-
ton, Va, and then studied law with
George W. Summers, of Charleston,
Va.
President Polk commissioned him
Captain of Volunteers Of the United
States in 1847. Then he served 10 years
in the Legislature of Virginia in the
sessions from 1858 to 1858. and was
speaker of the Housa OF Delegates. be-.
ing elected to that Office December 2,
1861 He had previously served as
chairman of the Military Committee
of the House. Mr. Kemper was made
Colonel of the 9TH Virginia Regiment,
May 2, 1861. and was commissioned a
brigadier general in May, 1852. He
was born fighter and splendid SOL
der, brave and daring to the last de-
gree. At the famous charge of the i'm
mortal Pickett's Division at Gettys-
burg. he was shot five times, and left
for dead on that bloody field. After
his recovery he commanded the local
forces around Richmond and was COM
missioned Major-General in March,
1884
After the war he retired to his home
and resumed the practice of law. In
1873 he was elected Governor of Vir-
ginia. His discharge of his duties as
Governor was in accord with the al
ways stern conviction as to right that
marked him always. During his term
of Office, he declined the unanimously
offered honor of United States Sena-
tor, made him by the caucus commit
tee Of bis party.
On July 4. 1858, he married Miss Con-
way Cave, and had five children, of
whom, three, two sons and one daugh-
ters, survive him.
The Richmond State of Monday
says
when State reporter went to the |
Capitol this morning with the news of |
the death of Ex-Gov. Kemper. he heard
many expressions of regret from the |
officials there. Gov. O'Ferrall was
absent at Fincastle, attending the fu-
neral of his late comrade-i n-arms, Cap |
tain j. H. H. Figgatt.
The State and National flags on the |
Capitol building will be ordered at
half mast on the day of the funeral,
and the Governor will take official no.
tice of the death of Elk Gov. Kemper,
on his return tomorrow.
Col. John Bell Bigger, clerk of the
House of Delegates. was full of recol-
lections of the dead man, having been
thrown SO long and intimately with
him officially. HE was strong and
noble soul, said Col. Bigger, land un-
swerving in his action in lines of !
thought and right. Devoted to his3
native State, brave soldier and a
great statesman, he has left an envia-
bic record behind him. continued he. |
This was the feeling of all the Capitol
officials
Nothing regarding the funeral ar
rangements has been heard at this
writing.