Alabama's 8th congressional district
| Alabama's 8th congressional district | |
|---|---|
| Obsolete | |
| Population (1960) | 383,625 |
| Created | 1870 Census |
| Eliminated | 1970 Census |
| Years | 1873-1973 |
Coordinates: 34°52′53.13″N 87°13′3.76″W / 34.8814250°N 87.2177111°W
Alabama's 8th congressional district, now obsolete, was established in 1877.
At present, Alabama has seven congressional districts represented in the United States House of Representatives. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Alabama was apportioned eight congressional seats as a result of the 1880 census. In 1893-1913 there were nine seats, and in 1913-1933 there were ten seats, the maximum ever for Alabama. In 1970, Alabama lost its eighth seat when population could no longer support more than seven seats.
Among the men who represented the District in the House was former Confederate Brigadier General Joseph Wheeler of Courtland, Alabama. Born in 1836 in Georgia, Wheeler had previously served in the United States Army but resigned to support the Confederate States of America. Wheeler led the 19th Alabama Infantry Regiment into battle at the Battle of Shiloh in the American Civil War. Wheeler was elected to the U.S. Congress in 1880 as a Democrat but was ousted after a lengthy election contest by Greenback Party candidate William M. Lowe. Lowe died after only four months in office and was succeeded by Wheeler in a special election. Wheeler did not run in 1882 but was reelected in 1884 and served seven consecutive terms before resigning in 1900.
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