Francis Mallory
| Francis Mallory | |
|---|---|
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 1st district |
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In office December 28, 1840 – March 3, 1843 |
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| Preceded by | Joel Holleman |
| Succeeded by | Archibald Atkinson |
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In office March 4, 1837 – March 3, 1839 |
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| Preceded by | George Loyall |
| Succeeded by | Joel Holleman |
| Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Norfolk City | |
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In office 1854–1859 |
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| Preceded by | Harrison Robertson |
| Succeeded by | D. T. Bisbie |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
December 12, 1807 Elizabeth City County, Virginia |
| Died | March 26, 1860 (aged 52) Norfolk, Virginia |
| Political party | Whig |
| Alma mater | University of Pennsylvania |
| Profession | physician, businessman |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1822–1828 |
Francis Mallory (December 12, 1807 – March 26, 1860) was an American naval officer, physician, politician, and railroad executive.
Francis Mallory was born in Elizabeth City County, Virginia, attended Hampton Academy and was appointed midshipman in the United States Navy where he served in 1822–1828. Dr. Mallory graduated from the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia in 1831 and practiced in Norfolk, Virginia.
Dr. Mallory served as a Representative in the U.S. Congress, as a Delegate in the Virginia General Assembly, and as a Navy Agent in Norfolk appointed by President Millard Fillmore.
For many years, he helped lobby before the State Legislature for a railroad line to Norfolk, an effort which was opposed by shipping interests from Richmond and Petersburg. In 1851, Dr. Mallory and the Norfolk interests finally succeeded in obtaining a charter and financing from the Virginia Board of Public Works to form the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad (N&P).
In 1853, the new railroad hired a 26-year-old civil engineer and graduate of Virginia Military Institute from Southampton County by the name of William Mahone. Small-statured "Little Billy" Mahone was frugal with expenses while he built the N&P to high construction standards. Mahone is credited with the design and implementation of an innovative corduroy roadbed through the Great Dismal Swamp between South Norfolk and Suffolk. The design employed a log foundation laid at right angles beneath the surface of the swamp. Still in use 150 years later, Mahone's design withstands immense tonnages of export coal traffic en route to coal piers at Norfolk's Lambert's Point. He was also responsible for engineering and building the famous 52 mile-long tangent track between Suffolk and Petersburg which is a major artery of modern Norfolk Southern rail traffic.
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