David Wyatt Aiken

Democrat Representative of South Carolina's 3rd district

Congresses Served

House Terms

March 17, 1828 (59 years old)

Birthday

April 6, 1887

Death

Was a slave owner and Confederate army officer during the American Civil War
Served as a five-term United States Congressman during the Reconstruction era
Received education under private tutors, attended the Mount Zion Institute, and graduated from South Carolina College in 1849
Taught college for two years before engaging in agricultural pursuits and owning a plantation
Became the editor of the Winnsboro News and Herald
Founding member of the State Agricultural Society in 1855
Advocated for secession and spoke in defense of slavery
Enlisted in the Confederate Army, eventually becoming a colonel, and was severely wounded at the Battle of Antietam
Served in the State house of representatives and was involved in efforts to suppress the voting rights of emancipated slaves
Called for the assassination of a black state legislator, leading to his temporary detention
Was an activist for The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, organizing local chapters and serving on its executive committee
Served as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention and was elected to Congress, where he was chairman of the Committee on Education
Became an invalid during his last term in office and did not seek renomination
Died in Cokesbury, South Carolina, with his son and a first cousin also serving in Congress