Lewis McKenzie

For the Canadian general, see Lewis MacKenzie.

Lewis McKenzie
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 7th district
In office January 31, 1870 – March 3, 1871
Preceded by	Himself ^(1)
Succeeded by	Elliott M. Braxton
In office February 16, 1863 – March 3, 1863
Preceded by	Charles H. Upton
Succeeded by	Himself ^(1)
Mayor of Alexandria, Virginia
In office 1861–1863
Preceded by	William B. Price
Succeeded by	Charles A. Ware
Personal details
Born	(1810-10-07)October 7, 1810 Alexandria, District of Columbia, U.S.
Died	June 28, 1895(1895-06-28) (aged 84) Alexandria, Virginia, U.S.
Resting place	Presbyterian Cemetery Alexandria, Virginia, U.S.
Political party	Union
Other political affiliations	Conservative
Profession	Politician, Merchant, Railroad President

Lewis McKenzie (October 7, 1810 – June 28, 1895) was a nineteenth-century politician, merchant and railroad president from Virginia.

Biography

Born in Alexandria, District of Columbia, McKenzie pursued an academic course as a young adult and prominently engaged in shipping and mercantile pursuits, founding and becoming president of the Alexandria, Loudoun and Hampshire Railroad.^[1] He was also president of the First National Bank.

He was civically minded and began his political career as a Whig and was a member of the Alexandria County common council from 1843-1850 during which time he instigated the final push for retrocession in 1846. He was a member of the city council of Alexandria from 1855 to 1859; and was acting mayor of the city from 1861 to 1863. At various times he was the presiding justice of the magistrate court and a Brigadier General of the town's militia.^[2]

McKenzie was elected a Unionist to the United States House of Representatives to fill a vacancy in 1863, serving from February to March of that year and afterward returned to the Alexandria city council, serving again until 1866 and returning a third time in 1868, serving again until 1870. He returned to the House as a Conservative in 1869, serving from 1870 to 1871. In 1870 he ran as the Republican candidate and lost. In 1874 he ran for the state senate and lost. He was appointed postmaster of Alexandria in 1878. McKenzie returned to the city council for the last time in 1887, serving until 1891. He died in Alexandria on June 28, 1895, and was interred there in Presbyterian Cemetery.

Election of 1869

McKenzie was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives unopposed.

References

1. Williams, Ames W. (1989). The Washington and Old Dominion Railroad. Arlington, Virginia: Arlington Historical Society. p. 3. ISBN 0926984004. OCLC 20461397 – via Google Books.
2. "The Late Lewis McKenzie". Alexandria Gazette. 29 June 1895. Retrieved 23 July 2020.

External links

• United States Congress. "Lewis McKenzie (id: M000507)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved on 2009-5-13
• Lewis McKenzie at Find A Grave

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Charles H. Upton	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 7th congressional district 1863	Succeeded by Himself ^(1)
Preceded by Himself ^(1)	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 7th congressional district 1870–1871	Succeeded by Elliott M. Braxton
Notes and references
1. Because of Virginia's secession, the state's 7th congressional district seat was vacant for almost seven years, and McKenzie ended up succeeding himself.