William Adamson (Wisconsin politician)

William A. Adamson
Sergeant-at-Arms of the Wisconsin State Assembly
In office January 3, 1887 – January 7, 1889
Preceded by	John M. Ewing
Succeeded by	F. E. Parsons
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Fond du Lac 1st district
In office January 5, 1880 – January 3, 1881
Preceded by	Henry C. Bottum
Succeeded by	James E. Gee
Personal details
Born	(1834-05-05)May 5, 1834 Kingston, Upper Canada
Died	March 1, 1907(1907-03-01) (aged 72) Eldorado, Wisconsin, U.S.
Resting place	Rienzi Cemetery, Fond du Lac
Political party	Republican
Spouse	married
Children	Alfred B. Adamson at least 2 others

William A. Adamson (May 5, 1834 – March 1, 1907) was a Canadian American immigrant, farmer, and Republican politician. He served one term in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing western Fond du Lac County. He later served as sergeant-at-arms of the Assembly during the 1887–1888 session.

Biography

William A. Adamson was born on May 5, 1834, in Kingston, Upper Canada. He emigrated to the United States with his parents in 1837, settling in Jefferson County, New York. He received a common school education until age 14, when he joined the crew of a ship. He spent the next decade in seafaring. He came to Wisconsin in 1856 and settled at Eldorado, in Fond du Lac County.

He became associated with the Republican Party and, in 1879, he was elected assistant sergeant-at-arms of the Wisconsin State Assembly.^[1] That fall, he was elected to the Assembly from Fond du Lac County's 1st Assembly district.^[2] He served only one term and was not a candidate for re-election. He returned to the Assembly in the 1885–1886 session as assistant sergeant-at-arms,^[3] and was then elected sergeant-at-arms for the 1887–1888 session.^[4]

He died March 1, 1907, at his home in Eldorado after an illness of several months.^[5]

Electoral history

Wisconsin Assembly (1879)

Wisconsin Assembly, Fond du Lac 1st District Election, 1879^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
General Election, November 4, 1879
	Republican	William A. Adamson	1,249	62.58%	+17.62%
	Democratic	C. B. Seward	717	35.92%	−3.90%
	Prohibition	L. J. Hall	30	1.50%	−1.33%
Plurality			532	26.65%	+21.51%
Total votes			1,996	100.0%	-4.13%
	Republican hold

References

1. Bashford, R. M., ed. (1879). "Biographical Sketches" (PDF). The Legislative Manual of the State of Wisconsin (Report). State of Wisconsin. p. 511. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
2. Warner, Hans B., ed. (1880). "Biographical Sketches" (PDF). The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin (Report). State of Wisconsin. p. 512. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
3. Heg, James E., ed. (1885). "Biographical" (PDF). The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin (Report). State of Wisconsin. p. 450. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
4. Timme, Ernst G., ed. (1887). "Biographical" (PDF). The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin (Report). State of Wisconsin. p. 512. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
5. "Fond du Lac Pioneer Dead". Oshkosh Northwestern. March 2, 1907. p. 3. Retrieved February 19, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.

Wisconsin State Assembly
Preceded by Henry C. Bottum	Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Fond du Lac 1st district January 5, 1880 – January 3, 1881	Succeeded by James E. Gee
Preceded by John M. Ewing	Sergeant-at-Arms of the Wisconsin State Assembly January 3, 1887 – January 7, 1889	Succeeded by F. E. Parsons