Charles Wesley Willard (June 18, 1827 – June 8, 1880) was an American politician, lawyer, and newspaper editor. He served as a U.S. Representative from Vermont.

Charles W. Willard
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Vermont's 1st district
In office
March 4, 1869 – March 3, 1875
Preceded byFrederick E. Woodbridge
Succeeded byCharles Herbert Joyce
Secretary of State of Vermont
In office
1855–1857
GovernorStephen Royce
Preceded byDaniel Pierce Thompson
Succeeded byBenjamin W. Dean
Member of the Vermont Senate
In office
1860–1861
Personal details
Born(1827-06-18)June 18, 1827
Lyndon, Vermont, U.S.
DiedJune 8, 1880(1880-06-08) (aged 52)
Montpelier, Vermont, U.S.
Resting placeGreen Mount Cemetery, Montpelier, Vermont
Political partyRepublican
SpouseEmily Doane Reed
ChildrenMary Willard, Ashton R. Willard, Eliza M. Willard and Charles W. Willard
Alma materDartmouth College
OccupationLawyer, editor

Biography

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Willard was born in Lyndon, Vermont, son of Thomas Willard and Abigail (Carpenter) Willard. He attended Caledonia County Grammar School and graduated from Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, in 1851. Willard studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1853. He began the practice of law in Montpelier. In 1855 and 1856 he was Secretary of State of Vermont.[1] He declined reelection, then served as member of the Vermont State Senate in 1860 and 1861. He became editor and publisher of the Daily Green Mountain Freeman in 1861, and served in those positions until 1873.

Willard was elected as a Republican candidate to the 41st, 42nd, and 43rd United States Congresses, serving from March 4, 1869, until March 3, 1875.[2] He served as chairman of the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions during the 41st and 42nd Congresses.[3] He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1874 to the 44th Congress.

After leaving Congress, he resumed the practice of law in Montpelier and served as a member of the commission to revise the laws of Vermont in 1879 and 1880.[4] Willard died on June 8, 1880, in Montpelier, and is interred in Green Mount Cemetery in Montpelier.[5]

Personal life

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Willard married Emily Doane Reed on August 24, 1855. They had four children, Mary Willard, Ashton R. Willard, Eliza M. Willard and Charles W. Willard.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Willard, Charles Wesley (1827-1880)". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved December 26, 2012.
  2. ^ "Rep. Charles Willard". Govtrack.us. Retrieved December 26, 2012.
  3. ^ "WILLARD, Charles Wesley, (1827 - 1880)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved December 26, 2012.
  4. ^ Gilman, Marcus Davis (1897). The bibliography of Vermont: or, A list of books and pamphlets relating in any way to the state. With biographical and other notes. Free press association. p. 331.
  5. ^ "Willard, Charles Wesley (1827-1880)". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved December 26, 2012.
  6. ^ "The History of Washington County". Ancestry.com. Retrieved December 26, 2012.
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  This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

Political offices
Preceded by Secretary of State of Vermont
1855–1857
Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Vermont's 1st congressional district

March 4, 1869 – March 3, 1875
Succeeded by