Joseph Humphrey Sloss

Joseph Humphrey Sloss (October 12, 1826 – January 27, 1911) was an American politician and lawyer. A Democrat, he was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Alabama.

Born in Somerville, Alabama to a political family, Sloss studied law. He moved to Illinois and served in its State House of Representatives. He then returned to Alabama during the American Civil War and joined the Confederate States Army. He stayed in Alabama after the war's end and represented the state in the House from 1871 to 1875, representing the state's 6th district.

Early life, Illinois, and military service Sloss was born on October 12, 1826, in Somerville, Alabama, one of five children born to Presbyterian minister James Long Sloss and Letitia (née Campbell) Sloss. His sister, Anne Eliza Sloss, married planter Alexander Donelson Coffee, while another sister, Letitia Vandyke Sloss, married military officer Friend Smith Rutherford. Through his mother, he was the grandson of judge David Campbell and the nephew of politician Thomas Jefferson Campbell. He was also related to businessman James Sloss.

In 1830, Sloss moved to Florence, where he received his education from his father. He furthered his education in Athens, Tennessee by reading law under his uncle, Thomas Jefferson Campbell. He practiced law there and worked in a partnership with his brother-in-law, Friend Smith Rutherford. A Democrat, he served in the Illinois House of Representatives in 1858 and 1859. After the war, he began practicing law in Tuscumbia, working in a partnership with Robert B. Lindsay from 1865 to 1871.

Sloss was also the editor for The North Alabamian and Times and The Tuscumbia Times. He resigned as Marshal on September 6, 1882, after being accused of misusing funds. Among other members of the Democratic Party, he was respected for his public service. Though, he was criticized for incidents during his military service. He was also often accused of being unloyal to the Democratic Party for working with politicians of other parties, such as Republican Senator George E. Spencer. He turned himself into the police, but was released due to his positive reputation in the community. Long recovered but retained health problems. In September of the same year, Mary eloped with Long. The mother, Mary Sr., crashed the wedding with two pistols in attempt to end it, but was too late. Mary Jr. later died on July 4, 1875, from tuberculosis. though some of his papers are held by the Alabama Department of Archives and History.