John Gayle (Alabama)

John Gayle ( born September 11, 1792 in Sumter, South Carolina, † July 21, 1859 in Mobile, Alabama) was an American lawyer and politician (Democratic Party). He was as a representative of Alabama at the U.S. House of Representatives and was the seventh governor of this state.

Early years and political rise

John Gayle, son of Matthew and Mary Gayle, attended the Newberry Academy and graduated in 1813 at South Carolina College. In the same year he moved to the Monroe County in the Alabama Territory, studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1818. Then he opened his own law firm in Mobile. Gayle decided in 1817 to pursue a political career. At this time he became a member of the Alabama Territorial Council. He was then elected in 1819 to the solicitor of the first judicial district of Alabama. Later, he was also a member of the House of Representatives from Alabama 1822-1823 ., There he represented the Monroe County. He was then in 1823 judges in the 3rd Judicial District. This activity he practiced from then until 1828, when he was appointed to the Alabama Supreme Court. However, it did a year later down the office to take up the seat in the Parliament of Alabama, where he was Speaker until 1831. He represented the Greene County.

Governor of Alabama

In the elections of 1831 for the post of governor of Alabama he emerged as an opponent of annulment, a priority core point in the election. Subsequently, he was elected on August 1, 1831 Governor, where he prevailed with 55:31 percent against the Nationalrepublikaner Nicholas Davis. His swearing-in ceremony took place on November 26, 1831. During his tenure, nine new counties were created, the first railway line was completed, the State Bank has been increased and the Parliament established the first cotton mill. 1832, the Treaty of Cusseta was signed, the new country west of the Mississippi gave the Creek Indians. However, it came to violence, attempted as federal marshals to remove the white settlers from Indian land. Gayle again made it clear that the eviction would be carried out and the state have priority with respect to the transfer of land in its territory. During this confrontation Gayle won re- election unopposed. He went to his second term and retained the post until 21 November 1835.

Congressman and federal judge

After he resigned, Gayle served in 1836 and 1840 as a member of the Electoral College in presidential elections. Between 1847 and 1849 he sat for the first electoral district of Alabama in Congress. Subsequently, he was from 1849 to 1859 worked as a judge at the Federal District Court for Alabama. He died on 21 July 1859 and was buried at the Magnolia Cemetery in Mobile. Gayle was married twice and that with Sarah Ann Haynsworth and Clarissa Stedman Peck. The result of these compounds were ten children.