William M. Oliver
William Morrison Oliver | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Londonderry, New Hampshire, U.S. |
| Died | July 21, 1863 (aged 70) Penn Yan, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Lawyer, jurist, politician, banker |
| Years active | c.1812–1857 |
| Known for | U.S. Representative from New York; Acting Lieutenant Governor of New York; First Judge of Yates County Court; President of Yates County Bank |
William Morrison Oliver (October 15, 1792 – July 21, 1863) was an American lawyer, jurist, and politician who represented New York as a United States Representative for one term (1841–1843). He also held the position of acting Lieutenant Governor of New York for a brief period.
Early life
Born on October 15, 1792, in Londonderry, New Hampshire, Oliver had an identical twin brother named Andrew. Their parents were Andrew and Elizabeth Ormiston Oliver. His education was somewhat limited, but he pursued legal studies under Judge Morse in Cherry Valley, New York after initial training in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Career
Oliver gained admission to the bar approximately in 1812 and established his law practice in Penn Yan, New York.
State legislature and Lt. Governor
He held the office of First Judge of the Yates County Court during two periods: from 1823 to 1828 and again from 1838 to 1844.
Between 1827 and 1830, Oliver served as a member of the New York State Senate representing the 7th District, participating in the 50th through 53rd legislative sessions.
In 1830, he was chosen as president pro tempore of the State Senate and acted as Lieutenant Governor of New York for the remainder of that year.
Congress
As a member of the Democratic Party, Oliver was elected to the 27th United States Congress, serving from March 4, 1841, to March 3, 1843. Following his congressional term, he became clerk of the New York Supreme Court. Additionally, he was the inaugural president of the Yates County Bank from its establishment in 1832 until his tenure ended in 1857.
Personal life
In 1811, Oliver wed Eleanor Young; together they had three sons: Andrew, James, and John Morrison. Their residence at 158 Main Street in Penn Yan was a Greek Revival-style home constructed in 1820 and is now included within the Penn Yan Historic District.
After Eleanor passed away in 1834, Oliver remarried Harriet Maria Seelye. They had four children: James Morse, William Seelye, Harriet, and Henry. His nephew, Oliver A. Morse, also pursued a legal career and served as a Congressman from New York.
Oliver died on July 21, 1863, in Penn Yan and was interred at Lake View Cemetery.
Legacy
The residence known as the William M. Oliver house was gifted to Penn Yan by Carrie E. Oliver to serve as a community center, public library, reading room, and museum. Furthermore, Oliver's likeness appears in a mural created by the 4-H organization in Penn Yan during 1976.
External links
- 1792 births
- 1863 deaths
- People from Londonderry, New Hampshire
- Lieutenant governors of New York (state)
- Democratic Party New York (state) state senators
- New York state court judges
- People from Penn Yan, New York
- American bankers
- Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from New York (state)
- Burials at Lake View Cemetery (Penn Yan, New York)
- 19th-century New York state court judges
- 19th-century American businesspeople
- 19th-century members of the New York State Legislature
- 19th-century members of the United States House of Representatives