Charles Triplett O'Ferrall

Charles Triplett O'Ferrall
Portrait of Governor O'Ferrall
42nd Governor of Virginia
In office January 1, 1894 – January 1, 1898
Lieutenant	Robert Craig Kent
Preceded by	Philip W. McKinney
Succeeded by	James Hoge Tyler
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 7th district
In office May 5, 1884 – December 28, 1893
Preceded by	John Paul
Succeeded by	Smith S. Turner
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Rockingham County
In office 1872–1873 Alongside George Deneale
Personal details
Born	October 21, 1840 Berkley Springs, Virginia
Died	September 22, 1905(1905-09-22) (aged 64) Richmond, Virginia
Political party	Democratic
Alma mater	Washington College
Profession	Politician, Lawyer
Military service
Allegiance	Confederate States
Service/branch	Confederate States Army
Years of service	1861–1865
Rank	Colonel
Battles/wars	American Civil War

Charles Triplett "Trip" O'Ferrall (October 21, 1840 – September 22, 1905) was a Virginian politician who served as a U.S. Representative from 1883 to 1894 and as the 42nd Governor of Virginia from 1894 to 1898.

Charles O'Ferrall was born in Brucetown, Virginia (then in Frederick County, Virginia, now near Berkeley Springs, West Virginia) to John and Jane Laurens Green O'Ferrall. His father was an innkeeper and former member of the Virginia General Assembly who was elected Clerk of Court of Morgan County in 1851. O'Ferrell was educated in the local schools.

While recovering from a wound during the Battle of Upperville in the American Civil War in Enterprise, Mississippi, O'Ferrall met Annie Hand, whom he married on February 8, 1865 before returning to active duty. They had two children. After her death, in 1881 he married Jennie Wickliff Knight (1846 - 1908), with whom he had four more children, and who survived him.

When John O'Ferrall died suddenly in 1855, the local judge thought highly enough of Charles O'Ferrall to appoint the fifteen-year-old to hold the clerk's post until an election could be held. Charles O'Ferrall was sufficiently respected to later win election, at seventeen, to a full six-year term as Clerk of Court. However, he only served less than half the term before the civil war began.

Although Morgan County and what became West Virginia was predominantly pro-Union area, O'Ferrall felt his true allegiance to be to Virginia. Thus, he joined the Confederate side of the war. Enlisting as a private in the 12th Virginia cavalry, O'Ferrall was immediately offered the position of sergeant. He subsequently distinguished himself in several battles, leading to promotion to the rank of major and was allowed to form his own cavalry battalion, the 23rd Virginia Cavalry. By war's end, O'Ferrall was a colonel in command of all cavalry in the Shenandoah Valley. His regiment engaged in the last fight of the war on Virginia soil. O'Ferrall was also wounded eight times in battle, including once so seriously that he was left for dead.