William Terrell

Who was William Terrell?

William Terrell, son of Joel Terrell, was a United States Representative from Georgia. Born in Fairfax County, Virginia, he moved with his parents to Georgia, and pursued classical studies. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine at Philadelphia and commenced practice in Sparta, Georgia. He was a member of the Georgia House of Representatives from 1810 to 1813, and held various local offices.

Terrell was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the United States House of Representatives, serving in the 15th and 16th Congresses serving from March 4, 1817, until March 3, 1821. He declined to be a candidate for renomination in 1820, and resumed the practice of medicine. Terrell died in Sparta, Georgia, in 1855 and was interred in Sparta Cemetery.

Terrell County, Georgia, created in 1856 from portions of Randolph and Lee Counties, was named for William Terrell.