Morton S. Wilkinson

"Senator Wilkinson" redirects here. For other uses, see Senator Wilkinson (disambiguation).

Morton Smith Wilkinson (January 22, 1819 – February 4, 1894) was an American politician.

Morton Smith Wilkinson
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Minnesota's 1st district
In office March 4, 1869 – March 3, 1871
Preceded by	William Windom
Succeeded by	Mark H. Dunnell
United States Senator from Minnesota
In office March 4, 1859 – March 3, 1865
Preceded by	James Shields
Succeeded by	Daniel S. Norton
Member of the Minnesota Senate
In office 1874–1877
Personal details
Born	(1819-01-22)January 22, 1819 Skaneateles, New York
Died	February 4, 1894(1894-02-04) (aged 75) Mankato, Minnesota
Political party	Republican
Signature

Biography

Born in Skaneateles, New York, he moved to Illinois in 1837 and was employed in railroad work for two years. Upon returning to Skaneateles in 1840, he studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1842, and commenced practice in Eaton Rapids, Michigan in 1843. He moved to Stillwater, Minnesota in 1847.

Wilkinson was elected to the first legislature of Minnesota Territory in 1849 and served as Register of Deeds of Ramsey County 1851 – 1853. After moving to Mankato, Minnesota in 1858, he served as a member of the board of commissioners to prepare a code of laws for the Territory of Minnesota in 1858.

After winning the 1859 Senate election in Minnesota he served in the United States Senate from March 4, 1859 to March 3, 1865, as a Republican from Minnesota, in the 36th, 37th and 38th congresses, but was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection. In the Senate, he was chairman of the Committee on Revolutionary Claims. He was a member of the United States House of Representatives from March 4, 1869 to March 3, 1871, but unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1870.

Wilkinson moved to Wells, Minnesota, and was member of the Minnesota State Senate 1874 – 1877 as well as a prosecuting attorney of Faribault County 1880 – 1884. He died in Wells on February 4, 1894, and was interred in Glenwood Cemetery, Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minnesota.

References

• Minnesota Legislators Past and Present

• United States Congress. "Morton S. Wilkinson (id: W000476)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.