US Con Wilson, Henry - U.S. Senator, MA

Henry Wilson
:us34stars:
Wilson.jpg


Born: February 16, 1812

Birthname: Jeremiah Jones Colbath

Birthplace: Farmington, New Hampshire

Father: Winthrop Colbath 1787 – 1860
(Buried: Dell Park Cemetery, Natick, Massachusetts)​

Mother: Abigail Witham 1785 – 1866
(Buried: Dell Park Cemetery, Natick, Massachusetts)​

Wife: Harriet Malvina Howe 1824 – 1870
(Buried: Dell Park Cemetery, Natick, Massachusetts)​

Children:

Lt. Colonel Henry Hamilton Wilson 1846 – 1866​
(Buried: Dell Park Cemetery, Natick, Massachusetts)​

Religion: Congregationalist

Political Party:

Before – 1848: Member of the Whig Political Party
1848 – 1854: Member of the Free-Soil Political Party
1855 – 1875: Member of the Republican Political Party

Occupation before War:

Indentured to a local farmer for a term of 10 years at age 10 years old.​
At the end of his service, he was given six sheep and yoke of oxen. He would sell these animals for the sum of $85.00.​
Neighbors would give him books helping with his education.​
1833 changed his name from Jeremiah Colbath, to Henry Wilson.​
1835: Hired himself out to learn the shoemaker trade.​
Opened his own shoe making business in Natick, Massachusetts.​
Member of the Natick, Massachusetts Debate Society​
He visited Washington, D.C. stopping to hear debates on abolitionism.​
He would observe African Americans being separated in Washington.​
Worked as a school teacher to clear his debts.​
He would open his own shoe manufacturing business employing 100 workers.​
1840: Campaigner for William Henry Harrison Presidential Campaign.​
1841 – 1842: Massachusetts State Representative​
1843 – 1852: Served in Massachusetts Militia rising to Brig. General.​
1844 – 1846: Massachusetts State Senator​
1848: Massachusetts Delegate to Whig Party National Convention
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1848 – 1851: Owner and Editor of Boston Republican Newspaper
1850 – 1852: Massachusetts State Senator​
1851 – 1852: President of Massachusetts State Senate​
1852: Chairman of Free-Soil Party National Convention​
1852: Unsuccessful Candidate for United States Congressman.​
1853: Unsuccessful Candidate for Governor of Massachusetts.​
1854: Unsuccessful Candidate for Governor of Massachusetts.​
1855 – 1873: United States Senator from Massachusetts​
1856: Speaker at Republican Party National Convention.​
1856: Preston Brooks challenged Wilson to a duel.​

Civil War Career:

1861 – 1863: Member of Senate Foreign Commerce Committee​
1861 – 1869: Senate Chairman of Military Affairs and Militia​
1861: Almost captured at the First Battle of Bull Run, Virginia​
1861: Recruited and equipped the 22nd​ Massachusetts Infantry Regt.​
1861: Colonel of 22nd​ Massachusetts Infantry Regiment​
1861: Resigned from the Union Army on October 29th​
1861: Introduced bill to abolish slavery in Washington, D.C.​
1862: Drafted measure to authorize President to enlist African Americans into the Union Army.​
1863: Introduced bill to federally fund elementary education for African Americans.​
1863: Asked Congress to take up bill to incorporate National Academy of Sciences.​
1864: Succeeded in adding provision to appropriations bill which addressed pay for whites and blacks in the Army.​
1865: Leader in the passage of the 13th​ Amendment to Constitution.​

Occupation after War:

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1865 – 1867: Member of Senate Mines and Mining Committee​
1865 – 1867: Member of Senate Pensions Committee​
1865 – 1867: Ranking Member of Senate Public Lands Committee​
1865 – 1872: Member of Pennsylvania Commandry Loyal Legion​
1865: Introduced legislation to protect Civil Rights of African Americans, but was defeated in the passage of the legislation.​
Made a Speaking tour of the Southeastern United States.​
1867 – 1871: Member of Senate Appropriations Committee.​
1868: Voted for conviction in the Andrew Johnson Impeachment trial.​
1868: Spoke before US Senate advocating readmission of Arkansas.​
1868: Had a strong desire to be Republican Vice President Candidate.​
1869 – 1873: Senate Chairman of Military Affairs Committee​
Supporter of African American Civil Rights, Voting Rights for women, federal education aid, regulation of businesses, prohibition of liquor.​
1871 – 1873: Member of Senate Indian Affairs Committee.​
1872: Wilson’s reputation was tested as some said he was part of Credit Mobilier Scandal.​
1873 – 1875: Vice President of United States of America​
1873: Attended funeral service of Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase.​
1873: Suffered a stroke he was ordered to bed rest by his doctors.​
1873: Attended Boston commemoration of Boston Tea Party.​
1874: Attended the funeral service of U.S. Senator Charles Sumner.​
1875: Made one vote as Vice President in tie breaking vote on Civil Rights Act.​
1875: Suffered from the effects of a mild stroke on November 10th​.​

Died: November 22, 1875

Time of Death: 7:20 AM

Cause of Death: Fatal Stroke

Place of Death: United States Capitol, Washington, D.C.

Age at time of Death: 63 years old

Funeral Privilege: His remains laid in state under U.S. Capitol Rotunda

Burial Place: Dell Park Cemetery, Natick, Massachusetts
 
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In addition being challenged to a duel by Preston Brooks,Wilson was also challenged by Senator William M. Gwin.Gwin and Wilson, neither of which really wanted the duel, agreed to a mediation by 3 other senators, William Seward, John Crittenden and Jefferson Davis. The 3 senator's produced an acceptable solution and the 2 "duelists'" accepted.
 
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