William D. Washburn
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| William Drew Washburn | |
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| In office March 4, 1889 to March 3, 1895 |
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| Preceded by | Dwight M. Sabin |
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| Succeeded by | Knute Nelson |
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| Born | January 14, 1831 Livermore, Maine |
| Died | July 29, 1912 Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| Political party | Republican |
William Drew Washburn (January 14, 1831 – July 29, 1912) was an American politician. He served in both the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate as a Republican from Minnesota. Three of his seven brothers became politicians: Elihu B. Washburne, Cadwallader C. Washburn, and Israel Washburn, Jr. He was also cousin of Dorilus Morrison, the first mayor of Minneapolis. He served in the 46th, 47th, 48th, 51st, 52nd, and 53rd congresses.
Washburn was born in Livermore, Maine. He moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota around 1857 to practice law and work for the Minneapolis Milling Company (founded by his brother Cadwallader). His business ventures in lumber and flour milling allowed him to amass a large fortune, and by the 1880s, he was among the wealthiest men in Minnesota. He built a mansion known as "Fair Oaks" in 1883. It was designed by E. Townsend Mix, who also designed Minneapolis's Metropolitan Building, and the outdoor landscape was laid out by Frederick Law Olmsted. The grounds included an artificial stream leading to a pond, a rustic footbridge, a greenhouse, and a carriage house. The home was demolished in 1924 to make way for a park, although the region is now part of the Washburn-Fair Oaks Historic District, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1878 and served from March 4, 1879 to March 3, 1885. He was elected to the Senate in 1888 and served from March 4, 1889 to March 3, 1895.
He died in Minneapolis.
References
- The Washburn-Fair Oaks Historic District: History and Walking Tour. Hennepin History Museum.
| Preceded by Dwight M. Sabin |
United States Senator (Class 2) from Minnesota 1889 – 1895 Served alongside: Cushman Davis |
Succeeded by Knute Nelson |
| Preceded by Jacob H. Stewart |
U.S. Representative from Minnesota's 3rd congressional district 1879 – 1883 |
Succeeded by Horace B. Strait |
| Preceded by — |
U.S. Representative from Minnesota's 4th congressional district 1883 – 1885 |
Succeeded by John Gilfillan |
