Kellian Van Rensalear Whaley | |
|---|---|
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| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromWest Virginia's3rd district | |
| In office December 7, 1863 – March 3, 1867 | |
| Preceded by | District created |
| Succeeded by | Daniel Polsley |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromVirginia's12th district | |
| In office March 4, 1861 – March 3, 1863 | |
| Preceded by | Henry A. Edmundson |
| Succeeded by | District eliminated |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1821-05-06)May 6, 1821 Utica, New York, U.S. |
| Died | May 20, 1876(1876-05-20) (aged 55) Point Pleasant, West Virginia, U.S. |
| Political party | Union Republican |
| Profession | Politician,Lumberman |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  West Virginia Militia |
| Years of service | 1861-1863 |
| Rank | major |
| Unit | 9th West Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment |
Kellian Van Rensalear Whaley (May 6, 1821 – May 20, 1876) was a nineteenth-century lumberman and congressman fromVirginia before theAmerican Civil War andWest Virginia after the state's creation. During the Civil War, Whaley was major of the9th West Virginia Volunteer Infantry and captured during a Confederate raid, but escaped his captors.
Whaley was born inUtica, New York, on May 6, 1821. He married Louisa Mary Perdue (1828-1908), who survived him. Their sons included Charles Monroe Whaley (1850-1918), Warren Clayton Whaley (1852-1931), Harlan L. Whaley (1854-1936), Fulton Morse Whaley (1856-1907), Carlisle Landers Whaley (1859-1944) and James Whaley (b. 1859), as well as daughters Mary J. Whaley Fry (1847-1925) and Ida Belle Whaley Allen (1861-1946).
Whaley worked inPoint Pleasant, Virginia[1] (now West Virginia) in thelumber business until theCivil War. Whaley was elected aUnionist to theUnited States House of Representatives in 1860, representingVirginia's 12th congressional district and served from 1861 to 1863. He lost his seat due to Virginia's secession from theUnion.
During the Civil War, Whaley recruited men for theUnion Army. Commissioned asmajor of the9th West Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Whaley was captured byConfederate forces under the command of GeneralAlbert Gallatin Jenkins on November 10, 1861, during a Confederate raid on the town ofGuyandotte, West Virginia (now a neighborhood ofHuntington, West Virginia). While being marched up theGuyandotte River, Major Whaley escaped his captors atChapmanville inLogan County and made his way to safety by traveling upBig Harts Creek in Lincoln and Logan counties to Queens Ridge inWayne County, West Virginia.[2]
After creation of the new state ofWest Virginia, Whaley won election fromWest Virginia's 3rd congressional district as aUnionist, serving from 1863 to 1867. From 1863 to 1865, he was chairman of theCommittee on Invalid Pensions. Whaley was a delegate to theRepublican National Convention in 1864. He was chairman of theCommittee on Revolutionary Claims from 1865 to 1867. He served on the Congressional committee that accompanied the body of PresidentAbraham Lincoln on thefuneral train as it was returned fromWashington toSpringfield.[1] He did not seek reelection in 1866, and was replaced by fellow RepublicanDaniel Polsley. In 1868, he served as collector of customs atBrazos de Santiago, Texas.
Whaley died inPoint Pleasant, West Virginia, on May 20, 1876.
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
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| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromVirginia's 12th congressional district March 4, 1861 – March 3, 1863 | District Eliminated |
| New district | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromWest Virginia's 3rd congressional district December 7, 1863 – March 3, 1867 | Succeeded by |
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives fromVirginia's 12th congressional district | ||
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