William W. Wilshire

William W. Wilshire (born William Wallace Wilshire; September 8, 1830 – August 19, 1888)^[2] was an American lawyer and politician during the Reconstruction era who served as the chief justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court from 1868 to 1871 and as the U.S. representative for Arkansas's 3rd congressional district (1873–74 and 1875–77).

William W. Wilshire
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Arkansas's 3rd district
In office March 3, 1873 – June 16, 1874
Preceded by	Thomas Boles
Succeeded by	Thomas M. Gunter
In office March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1877
Preceded by	redistricted
Succeeded by	Jordan E. Cravens
Chief Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court
In office 1868 – February 1871
Appointed by	Powell Clayton
Preceded by	new constitution
Succeeded by	John McClure
Personal details
Born	William Wallace Wilshire (1830-09-08)September 8, 1830 Shawneetown, Illinois, U.S.
Died	August 19, 1888(1888-08-19) (aged 57) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Resting place	Mount Holly Cemetery, Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S. 34°44′15.3″N 92°16′42.5″W
Political party	Democratic
Other political affiliations	Republican (before 1874)
Spouse	Catherine A. Reynolds
Children	2
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	Union Army
Years of service	1862–1864
Rank	Major[1]
Unit	126th Illinois Infantry
Battles/wars	Civil War

Biography

Born in Shawneetown, Illinois, Wilshire was educated in the country schools. He spent three years in California engaged in gold mining, from 1852 to 1855, when he returned to his home in Port Byron and engaged in the coal mining and mercantile business. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1859.

Wilshire entered the Union Army as major in the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served from July 16, 1862. Following the Siege of Vicksburg, his regiment was sent to Arkansas and on the Little Rock Campaign under Major General Frederick Steele's force.^[2][1] He resigned July 16, 1864 because of health reasons.

After the war, he relocated to the capital city of Little Rock, Arkansas, and commenced the practice of law, becoming partners with Elbert H. English. He was appointed solicitor general of the state in 1867.^[3] After adoption of the 1868 Arkansas Constitution, Wilshire was appointed by new Governor of Arkansas Powell Clayton as the first chief justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court under the new constitution. Wilshire resigned in 1871 to resume his law practice and enter elective politics.^[2]

The 1872 general election of Wilshire as a Republican Representative to the Forty-third U. S. Congress for the Third Congressional District was disputed by Democrat Thomas Gunter and, after a lengthy review by the Committee on Elections, Gunter was declared the winner and rightful occupant of the seat, ultimately taking the oath on June 16, 1874.^[4]

After defeat, Wilshire returned to Arkansas and decided to run for Congress again, this time as a Democrat. Again running for the Arkansas's 3rd congressional district, but now challenging incumbent William J. Hynes due to redistricting, Wilshire was elected to the Forty-fourth Congress (March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1877). He was not a candidate for renomination in 1876. He engaged in the practice of law in Washington, D.C., where he pursued claims on behalf of the Cherokee Nation against the government.^[5] He died in Washington August 19, 1888 and was interred at Mount Holly Cemetery in Little Rock.^[2]

Notes

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress