Alfred Moore Scales

(1827-1892)

At a Glance

Alfred Moore Scales, a banker from Rockingham County, held numerous polictical offices including Governor of North Carolina [1].

Story

The Alumni History of the University of North Carolina gives the following sketch of Governor Alfred Moore Scales:

"Scales, Alfred Moore Banker From Rockingham co.; Greensboro; b. Nov. 26, 1827; d. Feb. 9 1892; s. 1845-46; L.L.D. 1889; co. sol . of Rockingham co.; lawyer; mem. house of c. 1852-56, 1866-69; mem. U.S. Cong. 1857-59 and '75-85; pres. elector, 1860; gov. 1885-1889; brig. gen. C.S.A.; trustee, U.N.C. 1856-1868."

John Wheeler's Reminiscences and Memoirs of North Carolina and Eminent North Carolinians gives this note concerning the forebears of Governor Alfred Moore Scales:

"Alfred Moore Scales was born November 26, 1827 at Engleside, the old homestead in Rockingham County. He is the son of Dr. Robert H. Scales, who married Jane Watt Bethelll. His grandfather, Nathaniel Scales, was for several years a member of the Legislature; his wife was named Annie Allen. The maternal grandfather was General William Bethell, also a member of the Legislature; his wife was Mary Watt.""

Biographical Data

Important Dates

Alfred Moore Scales was born on November 26, 1827, in Rockingham County, NC. Alfred Moore Scales was born at Engleside, the old homestead in Rockingham County [1]. He died on February 9, 1892.

Places of Residence

• Reidsville, NC [1].

Schools Attended

• University of North Carolina, between 1845 and 1846 [1].

Occupations

• Banker [1].
• Soldier [1].
• Lawyer [1].
• State Representative, between 1852 and 1869. Alfred Scales was a State Representative to the House of Commons from 1852 - 1856 and from 1866 - 1869 [1].
• Congressman, between 1857 and 1885. Alfred Scales was a United States Congressman from 1857 - 1859 and from 1875 - 1885 [1].
• Presidential Elector, in 1860 [1].
• Governor, between 1885 and 1889. Alfred Scales was Governor of North Carolina [1].
• Brigadier General. Alfred Scales was a Brigadier General for the Confederate States of America [1].
• Trustee, between 1856 and 1868. Alfred Scales was a Trustee of theUniversity of North Carolina [1].

Relatives

• Parents: Robert H. Scales [1] and Jane Watt Bethell [1].
• Paternal grandparents: Nathaniel Scales and Annie Allen.
• Maternal grandparents: William Bethell and Mary Watt.
• Sibling: one sister, Emma Jane Scales (1835-1904)  [1].

References

1. Mary Claire Engstrom. The Book of Burwell Students: Lives of Educated Women in the Antebellum South. (Hillsborough: Hillsborough Historic Commission, 2007).