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U.S. Vice Presidents: William Wheeler

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William A. Wheeler

(1819-1887)

File:19 William Wheeler 3x4.jpg

Profile

Occupation

19th U.S. Vice President of the United States

(March 4, 1877 – March 4, 1881)

U.S. House of Representatives from New York

(March 4, 1869 – March 3, 1877)

Member of the New York Senate from the 17th district

(January 1, 1858 – December 31, 1859)

Member of the New York State Assembly from the Franklin County district

(January 1, 1850 – December 31, 1851)

Attorney
Date of Birth June 30, 1819
Date of Death
June 4, 1887
Place of Birth Malone, NY
Place of Death Malone, NY
Education

University of Vermont (BA)
Parents

Eliza Woodworth

Almon Wheeler
Spouse Mary King
Political Party

Republican
Number of Children Zero

Did You Know?

Vice President Wheeler...

  • ...received honorary degrees of master of arts from Dartmouth College in 1865 and LL. D (Legum Doctor; Doctor of Laws) from the University of Vermont (1867) and Union College (1877).
  • ...served as President of New York's Northern Railroad.
  • ...returned his salary increase to the Treasury Department after he was the only one that voted against it in 1873. The raise was made retroactive for five years (the Salary Grab Act).

Biography

William Almon Wheeler was an American politician and attorney. He served as a United States representative from New York from 1861 to 1863 and 1869 to 1877, and the 19th vice president of the United States from 1877 to 1881. Born in Malone, New York, Wheeler pursued a legal career after attending the University of Vermont. After serving in various local positions, he won election to the New York State Legislature. He served in Congress from 1861 to 1863 and from 1869 to 1877. He was widely respected for his integrity, and refused his salary increase after Congress passed an 1873 pay raise that he opposed. William Almon Wheeler was born in Malone, New York, and attended Franklin Academy and the University of Vermont, although monetary concerns forced him to drop out without graduating.[1] Wheeler received the honorary degrees of master of arts from Dartmouth College in 1865 and LL.D. from the University of Vermont (1867) and Union College (1877). In 1876 he received his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Vermont "as in course", making him a graduate of the class of 1842.[2] In 1845 he married Mary King (1828-1876).

Quotes

“I hear the minister praying for the President, his Cabinet, both Houses of Congress, the Supreme Court, the governors and legislatures of all the states and every individual heathen . . . and find myself wholly left out.”
—William A. Wheeler

Books Located in the Library

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