[Herschel Vespasian]. American statesman and jurist, born in Burke County, GA, on the 18th of September 1812; graduated from the Georgia University in 1834, and practiced law in Augusta; in 1839 he moved to Jefferson County and gave his attention to politics; in 1848 was appointed to fill a vacancy in the United States Senate; was made circuit judge in 1849; governor of Georgia (1853–57); in 1860 was Vice-Presidential candidate with Stephen A. Douglas; opposed secession, but went with his state and became a member of the Confederate Senate; after the war, elected to the United States Senate, but was disqualified by his connection with the Rebellion. Upon the removal of disabilities, he was elected, in 1873, to the circuit bench. He died on the 16th of August 1880, in Jefferson County, GA.
