William Henry Wadsworth (July 4, 1821 – April 2, 1893) was a U.S. Representative from Kentucky.

William H. Wadsworth
A man with chin-length black hair, a beard, and a mustache, facing left. He is wearing a white shirt, black vest, and black jacket
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Kentucky's 9th district
In office
March 4, 1885 – March 3, 1887
Preceded byLaban T. Moore
Succeeded bySamuel McKee
In office
March 4, 1861 – March 3, 1865
Preceded byWilliam Wirt Culbertson
Succeeded byGeorge M. Thomas
Member of the Kentucky Senate
In office
1853–1856
Personal details
Born(1821-07-04)July 4, 1821
Maysville, Kentucky, U.S.
DiedApril 2, 1893(1893-04-02) (aged 71)
Maysville, Kentucky, U.S.
Resting placeMaysville Cemetery
Political partyUnionist
Republican
Alma materAugusta College
ProfessionLawyer
SignatureW. H. Wadsworth
Military service
AllegianceUnited States Union
Branch/serviceUnited States Union Army
Rank Colonel
Battles/warsBattle of Ivy Mountain (American Civil War)

Born in Maysville, Kentucky, Wadsworth attended town and county private schools. He studied law and graduated from Augusta College, Bracken County, Kentucky, in 1841. He was admitted to the bar in 1844 and commenced practice in Maysville, Kentucky. He served as member of the Kentucky State Senate from 1853 to 1856. He served as presidential elector on the Constitutional Union ticket in 1860.

Wadsworth was elected as a Unionist to the Thirty-seventh and Thirty-eighth Congresses (March 4, 1861 – March 3, 1865). His vote on the Thirteenth Amendment is recorded as nay. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1864.

During the Civil War Wadsworth served as aide to General Nelson, with the rank of colonel, at the Battle of Ivy Mountain. He was appointed United States commissioner to Mexico, under the treaty of Washington for the adjustment of claims, by President Grant in 1869.

Wadsworth was elected as a Republican to the Forty-ninth Congress (March 4, 1885 – March 3, 1887). He was not a candidate for renomination in 1886. He resumed the practice of law. He died in Maysville, Kentucky, April 2, 1893. He was interred in Maysville Cemetery.

References

edit
  • United States Congress. "William H. Wadsworth (id: W000015)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Kentucky's 9th congressional district

1861 – 1865
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Kentucky's 9th congressional district

1885 – 1887
Succeeded by