William Windom

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For the actor of the same name (and this politician's great-grandson), see William Windom (actor).

William Windom

33rd United States Secretary of the Treasury 39th United States Secretary of the Treasury
In office March 8, 1881 – November 13, 1881 March 7, 1889 – January 29, 1891
Preceded by	John Sherman Charles S. Fairchild
Succeeded by	Charles J. Folger Charles W. Foster

Born	May 10, 1827 Belmont County, Ohio, USA
Died	January 29, 1891 New York City, New York, USA
Political party	Republican
Profession	Politician

William Windom (May 10, 1827 – January 29, 1891) was an American politician. He served in the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate as a Republican from Minnesota in the 36th, 37th, 38th, 39th, 40th, 41st, 42nd, 43rd, 44th, 45th, 46th, and 47th congresses. He was born in Belmont County, Ohio. He moved to Minnesota Territory in 1855. He served in the House from March 4, 1859 to March 3, 1869, representing the state of Minnesota. He is also the great-grandfather of actor William Windom.

Windom was appointed to the Senate to fill the vacancy in the term ending March 3, 1871, caused by the death of Daniel S. Norton, and served from July 15, 1870, to January 22, 1871, when a successor (Ozora P. Stearns) was elected to fill the term.

Windom was however elected to the regular full term that started March 4, 1871. He served until March 7, 1881 when he was appointed as United States Secretary of the Treasury by President James Garfield and served until he resigned from the Cabinet effective November 13, 1881 after having again been elected Senator to fill the vacancy caused by his own resignation, and served from November 15, 1881 to March 3, 1883.

Windom appears on U.S. silver certificates

He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1882. He moved to New York City in 1883 and practiced law. He was appointed Secretary of Treasury again in the Cabinet of President Benjamin Harrison and served from March 1889 until his death in New York.

An engraved portrait of Windom appears on U.S. silver certificates in the $2.00 denomination. This design was used from 1891 to 1896. The revenue cutter, Windom, was named for him. Windom, Minnesota, bears his namesake, as does Windom Township in Mower County, also in Minnesota.

[edit] References

Treasury biography
Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco [1]

Preceded by James M. Cavanaugh	U.S. Representative from Minnesota's 1st congressional district 1859 – 1869	Succeeded by Morton S. Wilkinson
Preceded by Daniel S. Norton	United States Senator (Class 2) from Minnesota 1870 – 1871 Served alongside: Alexander Ramsey	Succeeded by Ozora P. Stearns
Preceded by Ozora P. Stearns	United States Senator (Class 2) from Minnesota 1871 – 1881 Served alongside: Alexander Ramsey, Samuel J. R. McMillan	Succeeded by Alonzo J. Edgerton
Preceded by John Sherman	United States Secretary of the Treasury 1881	Succeeded by Charles J. Folger
Preceded by Alonzo J. Edgerton	United States Senator (Class 2) from Minnesota 1881 – 1883 Served alongside: Samuel J. R. McMillan	Succeeded by Dwight M. Sabin
Preceded by Charles S. Fairchild	United States Secretary of the Treasury 1889 – 1891	Succeeded by Charles W. Foster