William Adamson (Wisconsin politician)

William A. Adamson (May 5, 1834 – March 1, 1907) was a Canadian American immigrant, farmer, and Republican politician. He served one term in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing western Fond du Lac County. He later served as sergeant-at-arms of the Assembly during the 1887–1888 session.

William A. Adamson
Sergeant-at-Arms of the Wisconsin State Assembly
In office
January 3, 1887 – January 7, 1889
Preceded byJohn M. Ewing
Succeeded byF. E. Parsons
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the Fond du Lac 1st district
In office
January 5, 1880 – January 3, 1881
Preceded byHenry C. Bottum
Succeeded byJames E. Gee
Personal details
Born(1834-05-05)May 5, 1834
Kingston, Upper Canada
DiedMarch 1, 1907(1907-03-01) (aged 72)
Eldorado, Wisconsin, U.S.
Resting placeRienzi Cemetery, Fond du Lac
Political partyRepublican
Spousemarried
Children
  • Alfred B. Adamson
  • at least 2 others

Biography

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William A. Adamson was born on May 5, 1834, in Kingston, Upper Canada. He emigrated to the United States with his parents in 1837, settling in Jefferson County, New York. He received a common school education until age 14, when he joined the crew of a ship. He spent the next decade in seafaring. He came to Wisconsin in 1856 and settled at Eldorado, in Fond du Lac County.

He became associated with the Republican Party and, in 1879, he was elected assistant sergeant-at-arms of the Wisconsin State Assembly.[1] That fall, he was elected to the Assembly from Fond du Lac County's 1st Assembly district.[2] He served only one term and was not a candidate for re-election. He returned to the Assembly in the 1885–1886 session as assistant sergeant-at-arms,[3] and was then elected sergeant-at-arms for the 1887–1888 session.[4]

He died March 1, 1907, at his home in Eldorado after an illness of several months.[5]

Electoral history

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Wisconsin Assembly (1879)

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Wisconsin Assembly, Fond du Lac 1st District Election, 1879[2]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
General Election, November 4, 1879
Republican William A. Adamson 1,249 62.58% +17.62%
Democratic C. B. Seward 717 35.92% −3.90%
Prohibition L. J. Hall 30 1.50% −1.33%
Plurality 532 26.65% +21.51%
Total votes 1,996 100.0% -4.13%
Republican hold

References

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  1. ^ Bashford, R. M., ed. (1879). "Biographical Sketches" (PDF). The Legislative Manual of the State of Wisconsin (Report). State of Wisconsin. p. 511. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Warner, Hans B., ed. (1880). "Biographical Sketches" (PDF). The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin (Report). State of Wisconsin. p. 512. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  3. ^ Heg, James E., ed. (1885). "Biographical" (PDF). The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin (Report). State of Wisconsin. p. 450. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  4. ^ Timme, Ernst G., ed. (1887). "Biographical" (PDF). The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin (Report). State of Wisconsin. p. 512. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  5. ^ "Fond du Lac Pioneer Dead". Oshkosh Northwestern. March 2, 1907. p. 3. Retrieved February 19, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
Wisconsin State Assembly
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Fond du Lac 1st district
January 5, 1880 – January 3, 1881
Succeeded by
James E. Gee
Preceded by
John M. Ewing
Sergeant-at-Arms of the Wisconsin State Assembly
January 3, 1887 – January 7, 1889
Succeeded by
F. E. Parsons