George D. Tillman

:"This is an article about a U.S. politician. For the African-American film director, see George Tillman, Jr.."

George Dionysius Tillman (August 21, 1826 - February 2, 1902) was a U.S. Representative from South Carolina, brother of Benjamin Ryan Tillman.Born near Curryton, South Carolina, Tillman pursued an academic course in Penfield, Georgia, and in Greenwood, South Carolina.He attended Harvard University, but did not graduate.He studied law.He was admitted to the bar in 1848 and commenced practice in Edgefield, South Carolina.He served as member of the State house of representatives from 1854 to 1855 and 1864. Enlisted during the Civil War and served in the Third Regiment of South Carolina State troops in 1862. Shortly after its disbandment entered the Second Regiment of South Carolina Artillery, in which he served until the close of the war.He was again a member of the State house of representatives in 1864.He served as member of the State constitutional convention in 1865, held under the reconstruction proclamation of President Johnson.He served in the State senate in 1865.He was an unsuccessful candidate for election in 1876 to the Forty-fifth Congress.

Tillman was elected as a Democrat to the Forty-sixth Congress (March 4, 1879-March 3, 1881). Presented credentials as a Member-elect to the Forty-seventh Congress and served from March 4, 1881, to June 19, 1882, when he was succeeded by Robert Smalls, who contested the election.

Tillman was elected to the Forty-eighth and to the four succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1883-March 3, 1893).He served as chairman of the Committee on Patents (Fifty-second Congress).He was an unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1892.He engaged in agricultural pursuits and also as a publicist.He served as member of the State constitutional convention in 1895.He was an unsuccessful candidate for election as Governor of South Carolina in 1898.He died in Clarks Hill, McCormick County, South Carolina, February 2, 1902.He was interred in the Bethlehem Baptist Church Community Cemetery.

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