PhotosBiographyFacebookTwitter

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
William Morrison Oliver
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 27th district
In office
March 4, 1841 – March 3, 1843
Preceded by Meredith Mallory
Succeeded by Byram Green
Member of the New York Senate
In office
1827–1830
Preceded by Jonas Earll, Jr.
Succeeded by William H. Seward
Acting Lieutenant Governor of New York
In office
1830–1830
Governor Enos T. Throop
Preceded by Charles Stebbins
Succeeded by Edward Philip Livingston
Personal details
Born(1792-10-15)October 15, 1792
Londonderry, New Hampshire, U.S.
DiedJuly 21, 1863(1863-07-21) (aged 70)
Penn Yan, New York, U.S.
Resting place Lake View Cemetery
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s)Harriet Maria Seelye
Eleanor Young
Relations Oliver A. Morse, nephew
Children7
ProfessionLawyer, politician, and judge

William Morrison Oliver (October 15, 1792 – July 21, 1863) was an American politician, attorney, and jurist who served as a United States Representative for the state of New York and the acting lieutenant governor of New York.

Early life

Oliver was born in Londonderry in Rockingham County, New Hampshire on October 15, 1792. [1] [2] He and his identical twin brother, Andrew, were the sons of Andrew and Elizabeth Ormiston Oliver. [3] [4] He received a limited education [1] before studying law in Springfield, Massachusetts under the direction of Judge Morse in Cherry Valley, New York.

Career

He was admitted to the bar around 1812 and began practice in Penn Yan, New York. [1]

Oliver was the First Judge of the Yates County Court from 1823 to 1828 and 1838 to 1844. [1] [2] He was a member of the New York State Senate from the 7th District from 1827 to 1830, sitting in the 50th, 51st, 52nd and 53rd New York State Legislatures. [1] [2] In 1830, he was elected president pro tempore of the State Senate and was Acting Lieutenant Governor of New York until the end of the year. [5] [2] [6]

Elected as a Democrat to the 27th United States Congress, Oliver was United States Representative holding office from March 4, 1841, to March 3, 1843. [1] [2] Afterwards, he became clerk of the New York Supreme Court and was founding president of the Yates County Bank from its charter in 1832 until 1857. [1] [7]

Personal life

Oliver married Eleanor Young in 1811. [4] Their children were Andrew, James, and John Morrison. [4] They lived in 158 Main Street in Penn Yan on what is now called Mansion Row in a Greek revival style house that was built in 1820 and is now part of the Penn Yan Historic District. [8] [7]

After Eleanor died in 1834, he married Harriet Maria Seelye. [4] They had four children: James Morse, William Seelye, Harriet, and Henry. [4] His nephew, Oliver A. Morse, was also an attorney who served in United States Congress from New York.

Oliver died in Penn Yan on July 21, 1863. [1] [2] He was buried at Lake View Cemetery in Penn Yan. [1] [2]

Legacy

The William M. Oliver house was given to the city of Penn Yar by Carrie E. Oliver to use as a community center, public library, reading room, and museum. [9] Oliver was represented in a mural painted by the 4-H in Penn Yan in 1976. [9]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "William Oliver Morrison 1792-1863". Biographical Director of the United States. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "The Political Graveyard: Yates County, N.Y." politicalgraveyard.com. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  3. ^ "William Morrison Oliver". Ancestry.com. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  4. ^ a b c d e "William M. Oliver". Penn Yan. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  5. ^ Oliver, William (1830). Legislative Documents of the Senate and Assembly of ..., Volume 1, Issues 1-68. New York (State). Legislature.
  6. ^ The New York Civil List: Containing the Names and Origin of the Civil Divisions, and the Names and Dates of Election Or Appointment of the Principal State and County Officers from the Revolution to the Present Time. Weed, Parsons and Company. 1858. p. 32 – via Google Books.
  7. ^ a b "Penn Yan Historic District, Penn Yan Village, Yates County, Penn Yan NY, 14527". www.livingplaces.com. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  8. ^ "Penn Yan tour highlights village history". The Observer Review and Express. October 21, 2015. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  9. ^ a b "4-H Mural". The Chronicle Express. Penn Yan, New York. June 10, 1976. p. 1. Retrieved February 25, 2024.

External links

New York State Senate
Preceded by New York State Senate
Seventh District (Class 4)

1827–1830
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Lieutenant Governor of New York
Acting

1830
Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the  U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 27th congressional district

1841–1843
Succeeded by