Henry Wilson
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
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:
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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