Born on April 13, 1841, in Charles City County, Virginia, Christian was the son of Edmund Thomas Christian and Tabitha Rebecca Graves, his wife. His father's ancestor, Thomas Christian, settled in Charles City County, Virginia, in 1687, having come from Isle of Man. His grandfather was Turner Christian, who was a brother of Henry Christian, who was a captain in the American Revolutionary War. On his mother's side, Christian's ancestors were of English descent. His early education was obtained in private schools, and in the Northwood and Taylorsville Academies of Charles City county.
Career
American Civil War
In 1861, when he was twenty years old, Christian enlisted into the Confederate army as a private in the Second Company of the Richmond Howitzers, with which he served until May 12, 1864, when he was severely wounded near the Bloody Angle at the Battle of Spottsylvania Court House. At that time he was a sergeant of the company. He lost one leg and a part of the other foot, and as the result of these wounds was incapacitated and rendered unfit for further service on the battlefield.
Judiciary
Christian entered the University of Virginia in 1864, where he remained for one session. Upon leaving the university, having lost everything in the war, he entered the clerk's office of the circuit court of the city of Richmond, Virginia, and in 1870 began the practice of his profession. From 1872 until 1878 he was clerk of the court of appeals. From 1878 to 1883 he was judge of the Hustings Court of the city of Richmond.
Other positions
He was president of the Richmond City Chamber of Commerce, of the city council of Richmond, of the City Bar Association, of the NationalBank of Virginia, and of the Virginia State Insurance Company. He was also vice-president of the Union Theological Seminary, and chairman of the History Committee of the Grand Camp of Confederate Veterans of Virginia.
Writings
Christian was a member of the Grand Camp of Confederate Veterans of Virginia, and wrote extensively about the American Civil War. His wrote the Report on the Conduct of the War, was released on October 11, 1900, and was a tribute to the cause of the Confederacy during the war. He wrote about former U.S. presidents John Tyler and Abraham Lincoln in Capitol Disaster and Confederate Experiences.
Christian was a Democrat. His first wife was Ida Morris, by whom he had three children: Cassie Claudia, Morris H., and George L., Jr. His second wife was Emma Christian, by whom he had three children: Stuart, William, and Frank. He lived in Richmond, Virginia.
