Introduction
William Leftwich Goggin (May 31, 1807 – January 3, 1870) was a nineteenth-century politician and lawyer from Virginia.
Biography
Born near Bunker Hill, Virginia (now West Virginia), Goggin attended country schools and was eventually graduated from Winchester Law School. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1828, commencing practice in Liberty, Virginia. Goggin also engaged in agricultural pursuits and politics. He was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 1836 to 1837 and was later elected a Whig to the United States House of Representatives, serving from 1839 to 1843. In 1842, he unsuccessfully contested the election of Thomas W. Gilmer, but eventually got the seat when Gilmer resigned early, serving again from 1844 to 1845. He later returned for a third time serving from 1847 to 1849, serving as chairman of the Committee on Post Office and Post Roads. In 1859, Goggin ran for Governor of Virginia, but lost to John Letcher. He was a delegate to the Virginia Secession Convention in 1861 and was captain of Home Guards for the Confederate Army during the Civil War. Afterward, he continued practicing law until his death on January 3, 1870 near Liberty, Virginia. He was interred in his family's burying ground, Goggin Cemetery near Bunker Hill, West Virginia.
Electoral history
- 1839; Goggin was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives with 52.64% of the vote, defeating Democrat Archibald Stuart, Jr.
- 1841; Goggin was re-elected with 56.54% of the vote, defeating Democrat Stuart.
- 1843; Goggin lost his re-election bid when he was not renominated.
- 1844; Goggin was re-elected with 50.75% of the vote, defeating Democrat William Fitzhugh Gordon.
- 1845; Goggin lost his re-election bid when he was not renominated.
- 1847; Goggin was re-elected with 50.93% of the vote, defeating Democrat Shelton Farrar Leake.
- 1849; Goggin lost his bid for re-election.