Difference between revisions of "James F. Wilson"
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Rep. Wilson's first action in Congress was introducing a resolution prohibiting fugitive slaves from being returned to [[the South]] and ordering the dismissal of any military officer that instructs troops to do such, which was enacted.<ref name=nytimesobit/> He in addition reported legislation which enfranchised blacks in [[Washington, D.C.]], as well as shepherding a bill that granted freedom to the family of black soldiers. | Rep. Wilson's first action in Congress was introducing a resolution prohibiting fugitive slaves from being returned to [[the South]] and ordering the dismissal of any military officer that instructs troops to do such, which was enacted.<ref name=nytimesobit/> He in addition reported legislation which enfranchised blacks in [[Washington, D.C.]], as well as shepherding a bill that granted freedom to the family of black soldiers. | ||
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| + | In 1864, Wilson authored the [[13th Amendment]] which abolished [[slavery]] in the United States.<ref name=iowalegislaturebio/> | ||
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| + | When President [[Andrew Johnson]] faced impeachment after violating the Tenure of Office Act in firing Edwin M. Stanton, Wilson, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, served as one of the House managers.<ref name=iowalegislaturebio/> Although initially opposing impeachment, he ultimately voted for the resolutions along with the vast majority of Republicans. Johnson was ultimately acquitted by the Senate due to seven GOP members in the upper congressional chamber bucking their party. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 01:09, November 28, 2021
James Falconer Wilson (October 19, 1828 – April 22, 1895), also known as Jefferson Jim,[1] was a Radical Republican[2] from Iowa who represented the state's 3rd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives for four terms during the 1860s. He later served as the state's U.S. senator for two terms from 1883 to 1895.
Wilson was previously a member of the state legislature, serving in both houses during the late 1850s and early 1860s.
Background
Wilson was born in Newark, Ohio as one of three children.[3] When he was around eleven years old, his father died and left the family unprovided. Wilson subsequently helped support the family, and soon became a harnessmaker's apprentice when thirteen years old.[3]
Attending local common schools, Wilson would study following his working hours.[3] While involved in harnessmaking, a trade he was active in until 1851, Wilson also studied law and loaned books from future United States Supreme Court justice William B. Woods, who helped instruct him. Admitted to the bar in 1852, he married Mary A. K. Jewett the following year and moved to Fairfield, Iowa,[3] where a law office was opened.[4]
Political career
In 1856 amidst the presidential election that year, Wilson ran for and was elected to serve as a delegate to the Convention for the Revision of the Constitution of Iowa.[1][3] The following year he was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives, where he served in the Ways and Means Committee.
In 1859, Wilson was elected to the Iowa Senate, where he served on the Committee of the Judiciary.[3] He also served as a delegate to the 1860 Republican National Convention[1] which nominated Abraham Lincoln of Illinois and Hannibal Hamlin of Maine to head the party ticket for the presidential election.
U.S. House of Representatives
In 1861, Wilson was elected to the U.S. House from Iowa's 1st congressional district (the southern portion of the state), defeating Democrat opponent Julius E. Neal by sixteen percentage points.[5] He filled the vacancy left upon the resignation of Samuel Ryan "S. R." Curtis,[3] who was appointed to become a colonel in the American Civil War.
Rep. Wilson's first action in Congress was introducing a resolution prohibiting fugitive slaves from being returned to the South and ordering the dismissal of any military officer that instructs troops to do such, which was enacted.[3] He in addition reported legislation which enfranchised blacks in Washington, D.C., as well as shepherding a bill that granted freedom to the family of black soldiers.
In 1864, Wilson authored the 13th Amendment which abolished slavery in the United States.[4]
When President Andrew Johnson faced impeachment after violating the Tenure of Office Act in firing Edwin M. Stanton, Wilson, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, served as one of the House managers.[4] Although initially opposing impeachment, he ultimately voted for the resolutions along with the vast majority of Republicans. Johnson was ultimately acquitted by the Senate due to seven GOP members in the upper congressional chamber bucking their party.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Wilson, J. The Political Graveyard. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
- ↑ United States Senator James F. Wilson Historic Resources in Fairfield. Iowa: 1853-18. National Park Service. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 April 24, 1895. DEATH OF THE SLAVE'S FRIEND; The Public Record of ex-Senator James F. Wilson, Who Died in Fairfield, Iowa, Monday Night. The New York Times. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 James Falconer Wilson. The Iowa Legislature. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
- ↑ IA - District 01 Race - Special Election Race - Oct 08, 1861. Our Campaigns. Retrieved November 27, 2021.