Goggin, William L.

Born: 1807-05-31 Bedford County, Virginia

Died: 1870-01-03 Bedford County, Virginia

William L. Goggin was a Virginia politician and U.S. congressman. After attending Bedford County schools, Goggin entered and graduated from Tucker's Law School, Winchester, Virginia. In 1828, he earned admittance to the bar and began practicing law in Bedford County. He also operated a plantation. From 1836 to 1837, Goggin served in the Virginia House of Delegates. In 1838, he won election as a Whig to the U.S. House of Representatives, serving from March 1839 to March 1843. He was an unsuccessful candidate for re-election in 1842. He returned to the House in 1844 to complete the term of Thomas W. Gilmer, serving from April 1844 to March 1845. He was not a candidate for re-election in 1844. In 1846, he again returned to the U.S. House, holding his seat from March 1847 to March 1849. He was not a candidate for re-election in 1848. After his term in the House, he returned to his law practice. In 1859, he was an unsuccessful Whig candidate in Virginia's gubernatorial election. He was a delegate to the Virginia constitutional convention in 1861. During the Civil War, he was a captain of the Virginia Home Guard, Confederate Army. At the war's conclusion, he returned to his law practice.

Biographical Directory of the American Congress 1774-1996 (Alexandria, VA: CQ Staff Directories, 1997), 1099; Gravestone, Goggin Family Cemetery, Bunker Hill, VA.