| William Anderson Pile | |
|---|---|
| 8th Governor of New Mexico Territory | |
| In office 1869–1871 |
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| Preceded by | Robert B. Mitchell |
| Succeeded by | Marsh Giddings |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 11, 1829 Indianapolis, Indiana |
| Died | July 7, 1889 Monrovia, California |
| Political party | Republican |
| Profession | Politician, Minister |
| Religion | Methodist |
William Anderson Pile (February 11, 1829 – July 7, 1889) was a nineteenth century politician and minister from Missouri, as well as a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was Governor of New Mexico Territory from 1869 to 1871. William was one half Native American (from his mother), most likely Choctaw. His father's name was Jacob Pile and his mother's name was Comfort Williams.
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Born near Indianapolis, Indiana, Pile completed preparatory studies, studied theology, became a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church and was a member of the Missouri conference. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he entered the Union Army as chaplain of the 1st Missouri Light Artillery Regiment in 1861. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel of the 33rd Missouri Infantry Regiment in 1862, colonel of the same regiment later the same year, brigadier general of volunteers in 1863 and brevet major general in 1865.
Pile was elected a Republican to the United States House of Representatives in 1866, serving from 1867 to 1869, being unsuccessful for reelection in 1868. There, he served as chairman of the Committee on Expenditures in the Post Office Department from 1867 to 1869. Afterward, he was appointed Ambassador to Venezuela and Brazil by President Ulysses S. Grant in 1869, but his nomination was withdrawn and was instead appointed Territorial Governor of New Mexico which he served as from 1869 to 1871. Pile was again appointed Ambassador to Venezuela by President Grant in 1871, which he served as until 1874.
He died in Monrovia, California on July 7, 1889 and was interred in Live Oak Cemetery in Monrovia.
| United States House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by John Hogan |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Missouri's 1st congressional district March 4, 1867 – March 3, 1869 |
Succeeded by Erastus Wells |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by Robert B. Mitchell |
Governor of New Mexico Territory 1869 – 1871 |
Succeeded by Marsh Giddings |
| Diplomatic posts | ||
| Preceded by James R. Partridge |
United States Minister to Venezuela May 23, 1871 – January 9, 1874 |
Succeeded by Thomas Russell |
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