John McQueen

Who was John McQueen?

John McQueen was a U.S. Representative from South Carolina and a member of the Confederate States Congress during the American Civil War.

Born in Queensdale in Robeson County, North Carolina, near the town of Maxton, North Carolina, McQueen completed preparatory studies under private tutors and was graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He subsequently studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1828 and commenced practice in Bennettsville, South Carolina. McQueen served in the State militia 1833-1837. He was an unsuccessful candidate for election in 1844 to the 29th United States Congress.

McQueen was elected as a Democrat to the 30th and 31st Congresses to fill the vacancies caused by the death of Alexander D. Sims. He was reelected to the 32nd and to the four succeeding Congresses, and served from February 12, 1849, until his retirement on December 21, 1860.

An ardent supporter of States' Rights, he was elected as a representative from South Carolina in the First Confederate Congress after the outbreak of the Civil War.