Mordecai Oliver

Mordecai Baldwin Oliver (October 22, 1819 – April 25, 1898) was an attorney and two-term U.S. Representative from Missouri from 1853 to 1857.

Mordecai Baldwin Oliver
Secretary of State of Missouri
In office 1861–1865
Governor	Hamilton Rowan Gamble Willard Preble Hall
Preceded by	Benjamin Franklin Massey
Succeeded by	Francis A. Rodman
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Missouri's 4th district
In office March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1857
Preceded by	Willard P. Hall
Succeeded by	James Craig
Personal details
Born	October 22, 1819 Anderson County, Kentucky, U.S.
Died	April 25, 1898 (aged 78) Springfield, Missouri, U.S.

Biography

Born in Anderson County, Kentucky, Oliver attended the common schools and then studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1842 and commenced practice in Richmond, Missouri. He served as a prosecuting attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit in 1848.

Congress

Oliver was elected as a Whig to the Thirty-third Congress and reelected as an Opposition Party candidate to the Thirty-fourth Congress (March 4, 1853–March 3, 1857).

Later career

Oliver was elected as a Unionist Secretary of State of Missouri in 1861.

He resumed the practice of law in St. Louis, Missouri, and served as judge of the criminal court from 1889 to 1893.

Death and burial

He moved to Springfield, Missouri, where he died April 25, 1898. He was interred in Hazelwood Cemetery.

References

• United States Congress. "Mordecai Oliver (id: O000075)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Willard P. Hall	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Missouri's 4th congressional district 1853–1857	Succeeded by James Craig
Political offices
Preceded by Benjamin Franklin Massey	Missouri Secretary of State 1861–1865	Succeeded by Francis A. Rodman