Elliott M. Braxton


Elliott Muse Braxton was a nineteenth-century politician and lawyer from Virginia. He was the great-grandson of Carter Braxton.

Early life

Born in Mathews, Virginia, Braxton attended the common schools as a child, studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1849, commencing in Richmond, Virginia.

Career

He moved to Richmond County, Virginia and served in the Virginia Senate from 1852 to 1856. He later moved to Fredericksburg, Virginia in 1860 and continued practicing law. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Braxton raised a company for the Confederate Army and was elected its captain. He was later promoted to a major and served in the staff of General John R. Cooke. After the war, Braxton was democratically elected a member of the common council of Fredericksburg in 1866 and was later elected a Democrat to the United States House of Representatives in 1870, serving from 1871 to 1873. After being unsuccessful for reelection in 1872, Braxton resumed practicing law in Fredericksburg until his death.

1870 and 1872 elections

Braxton was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives over Republican incumbent Lewis McKenzie by a margin of 53-47%. Following redistricting, he ran in the 1st district against Republican James B. Sener, this time losing by a narrow margin of 49-51%.

Death

Braxton died in Fredericksburg on October 2, 1891. He was interred there in the Confederate Cemetery.