William H. Brawley

William Hiram Brawley (incorrectly reported in some works as William Huggins Brawley; May 13, 1841 – November 15, 1916) was a United States representative from South Carolina and later a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina.

William H. Brawley
Judge of the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina
In office January 18, 1894 – June 14, 1911
Appointed by	Grover Cleveland
Preceded by	Charles Henry Simonton
Succeeded by	Henry Augustus Middleton Smith
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina's 1st district
In office March 4, 1891 – February 12, 1894
Preceded by	Samuel Dibble
Succeeded by	James F. Izlar
Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives
In office 1882-1890
Personal details
Born	William Hiram Brawley (1841-05-13)May 13, 1841 Chester, South Carolina
Died	November 15, 1916(1916-11-15) (aged 75) Charleston, South Carolina
Resting place	Magnolia Cemetery Charleston, South Carolina
Political party	Democratic
Relatives	John J. Hemphill Robert W. Hemphill
Education	University of South Carolina
Signature

Education and career

Born on May 13, 1841, in Chester, Chester County, South Carolina,^[1] Brawley attended the common schools and graduated from South Carolina College (now the University of South Carolina) in 1860.^[1] He enlisted as a private in Company F, Sixth Regiment, South Carolina Infantry, Confederate States Army on April 11, 1861.^[2] He lost an arm in the Battle of Seven Pines and was retired from service.^[2] He was manager of his family's plantation from 1862 to 1864.^[1] He traveled and studied in Europe in 1864 and 1865.^[2] He was admitted to the bar and entered private practice in Chester from 1866 to 1868.^[1] He was solicitor for the Sixth Judicial Circuit of South Carolina from 1868 to 1874.^[1] He resumed private practice in Charleston, South Carolina from 1874 to 1893.^[1] He was a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1882 to 1890.^[1]

Congressional service

Brawley was elected as a Democrat from South Carolina's 1st congressional district to the United States House of Representatives of the 52nd and 53rd United States Congresses and served from March 4, 1891, until February 12, 1894, when he resigned to accept a federal judicial post.^[2]

Federal judicial service

Throughout his time as a federal judge, Brawley lived at 9 Legare Street, Charleston, South Carolina.

Brawley was nominated by President Grover Cleveland on December 20, 1893, to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina vacated by Judge Charles Henry Simonton.^[1] He was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 18, 1894, and received his commission the same day.^[1] His service terminated on June 14, 1911, due to his retirement.^[1]

Death

Following his retirement from the federal bench, Brawley lived in retirement in Charleston.^[2] He died on November 15, 1916, in Charleston.^[1] He was interred in Magnolia Cemetery in Charleston.^[2]

Family

Brawley was the cousin of John J. Hemphill and great-uncle of Robert W. Hemphill.^[2]