William Windom

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

William Windom
William Windom

In office
March 8, 1881 – November 13, 1881
March 7, 1889January 29, 1891
Preceded by John Sherman
Charles S. Fairchild
Succeeded by Charles J. Folger
Charles W. Foster

Born May 10, 1827(1827-05-10)
Belmont County, Ohio, U.S.
Died January 29, 1891 (aged 63)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Political party Republican
Profession Politician

William Windom (May 10, 1827January 29, 1891) was an American politician. He served in the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate as a Republican from Minnesota in the 36th, 37th, 38th, 39th, 40th, 41st, 42nd, 43rd, 44th, 45th, 46th, and 47th congresses. He was born in Belmont County, Ohio. He moved to Minnesota Territory in 1855. He served in the House from March 4, 1859 to March 3, 1869, representing the state of Minnesota. He is also the great-grandfather of actor William Windom.

Windom was appointed to the Senate to fill the vacancy in the term ending March 3, 1871, caused by the death of Daniel S. Norton, and served from July 15, 1870, to January 22, 1871, when a successor (Ozora P. Stearns) was elected to fill the term.

Windom was however elected to the regular full term that started March 4, 1871. He served until March 7, 1881 when he was appointed as United States Secretary of the Treasury by President James Garfield and served until he resigned from the Cabinet effective November 13, 1881 after having again been elected Senator to fill the vacancy caused by his own resignation, and served from November 15, 1881 to March 3, 1883.

Windom appears on U.S. silver certificates
Windom appears on U.S. silver certificates

He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1882. He moved to New York City in 1883 and practiced law. He was appointed Secretary of Treasury again in the Cabinet of President Benjamin Harrison and served from March 1889 until his death in New York.

An engraved portrait of Windom appears on U.S. silver certificates in the $2.00 denomination. This design was used from 1891 to 1896. The revenue cutter, Windom, was named for him. Windom, Minnesota, bears his namesake, as does Windom Township in Mower County, also in Minnesota.

[edit] References

Preceded by
James M. Cavanaugh
U.S. Representative from Minnesota's 1st congressional district
1859 – 1869
Succeeded by
Morton S. Wilkinson
Preceded by
Daniel S. Norton
United States Senator (Class 2) from Minnesota
1870 – 1871
Served alongside: Alexander Ramsey
Succeeded by
Ozora P. Stearns
Preceded by
Ozora P. Stearns
United States Senator (Class 2) from Minnesota
1871 – 1881
Served alongside: Alexander Ramsey, Samuel J. R. McMillan
Succeeded by
Alonzo J. Edgerton
Preceded by
John Sherman
United States Secretary of the Treasury
1881
Succeeded by
Charles J. Folger
Preceded by
Alonzo J. Edgerton
United States Senator (Class 2) from Minnesota
1881 – 1883
Served alongside: Samuel J. R. McMillan
Succeeded by
Dwight M. Sabin
Preceded by
Charles S. Fairchild
United States Secretary of the Treasury
1889 – 1891
Succeeded by
Charles W. Foster