David Gardiner Tyler

David Gardiner Tyler (July 12, 1846 – September 5, 1927), was a U.S. Democratic Party politician and the ninth child and fourth son of John Tyler, the tenth President of the United States.

David Gardiner Tyler
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 2nd district
In office March 4, 1893 – March 3, 1897
Preceded by	John W. Lawson
Succeeded by	William A. Young
Member of the Virginia Senate from the 38th district
In office December 6, 1899 – January 13, 1904
Preceded by	Manly H. Barnes
Succeeded by	George W. Anderson Arthur C. Harman
In office December 2, 1891 – December 6, 1893
Preceded by	L. M. Nance
Succeeded by	Manly H. Barnes
Personal details
Born	(1846-07-12)July 12, 1846 East Hampton, New York
Died	September 5, 1927(1927-09-05) (aged 81) Sherwood Forest Plantation, Charles City County, Virginia
Resting place	Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Mary Morris Jones
Children	4
Parents	John Tyler Julia Gardiner Tyler
Alma mater	Washington College
Profession	lawyer, judge
Military service
Allegiance	Confederate States of America
Branch/service	Confederate States Army
Years of service	1863–1865
Rank	Private
Unit	Rockbridge Artillery
Battles/wars	American Civil War

Although born in New York, he went to school in Virginia and fought in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. After attending college in Germany and Virginia, he became a lawyer. He later served in the Virginia State Senate, as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Virginia's second congressional district, and as a Virginia Circuit Court judge.

Early life

He was born in East Hampton, New York and was the first child born to former President John Tyler and his second wife, Julia Gardiner Tyler. He was named after his late maternal grandfather, David Gardiner. As a child, he attended private schools in Charles City County, Virginia.

In 1862, he entered present-day Washington and Lee University, where he was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, but dropped out the following year to fight in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. He was present at the surrender of Robert E. Lee at Appomattox Court House. Following the war, he and his brother, John Alexander Tyler, traveled to Germany,[1] and attended school in the Grand Duchy of Baden. He returned to the United States, and graduated from the Washington and Lee School of Law in 1869.[2]

Career

From 1870 to 1884, he practiced law in Richmond, Virginia, before accepting an appointment as Director of the state lunatic asylum in Williamsburg, Virginia, serving until 1887. From 1891 to 1892, he served in the Virginia State Senate, and on the Board of Visitors of the College of William and Mary.[2]

Tyler was elected to the United States House of Representatives from the state's 2nd District, serving from 1893 to 1897. He was defeated for renomination in 1896, and returned to private law practice until his reelection to the state senate, where he served from 1900 to 1904. From 1904 until his death in 1927, he served as a state circuit court judge.[2]

Elections

• 1892; Tyler was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives defeating Independent Republicans P.C. Garrigan and John F. Deyendorf, H.S. Collier, and Independent George Edwin Bowden, winning 55.61% of the vote.
• 1894; Tyler was re-elected defeating Republican Thomas R. Borland and Independent T.J. Edwards, winning 56.27% of the vote.

Personal life

He was married to the former Mary Morris Jones (1865–1931). Together, they were the parents of five children, four of whom survived to adulthood:[3]

• Mary Lyon Tyler (1895–1975),[4] who married George Peterkin Gamble (1899–1986).
• Margaret Gardiner Tyler (1897–1981), who married Stephen F. Chadwick (1894–1975), grandson of Stephen F. Chadwick, the 5th Governor of Oregon.
• David Gardiner Tyler Jr. (1899–1993), who married Anne Morton Shelton (1900–1977).[5]
• James Alfred Jones Tyler (1902–1972), who married Katherine Thomason (1909–1967).[6]
• John Tyler (1905–1907), who died young.

He died at Sherwood Forest Plantation and is buried at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond.[2]

References

1. Quinn-Musgrove, Sandra L; Kanter, Sanford (1995) [1983]. America's royalty : all the presidents' children. Westport, CT, USA: Greenwood Press. pp. 63–64. ISBN 978-1-56750-893-2. OCLC 501482396. Retrieved February 25, 2012.
2. "TYLER, David Gardiner - Biographical Information". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Washington, DC, USA: Office of Art and Archives, Office of the Historian, United States House of Representatives. Retrieved September 18, 2012.
3. "Genealogy of John Tyler at Sherwood Forest Plantation". Charles City, VA, USA: Sherwood Forest Plantation Foundation. January 27, 2009. Retrieved September 18, 2012.
4. "President Tyler's Kin, Mrs. Mary Gamble, Dies". Daily Press. 25 Jan 1975. p. 17. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
5. McCrary, Candy (31 Mar 1993). "Tyler, 93, grandson of president". Daily Press. p. 16. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
6. "James Tyler, Grandson Of President, Succumbs". Daily Press. 29 Jul 1972. p. 6. Retrieved 11 January 2019.

External links

David Gardiner Tyler at Find a Grave

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by John W. Lawson	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 2nd congressional district 1893–1897	Succeeded by William A. Young