William H. Wadsworth

A man with chin-length black hair, a beard, and a mustache, facing left. He is wearing a white shirt, black vest, and black jacket

Portrait of William H. Wadsworth

Signature of William H. Wadsworth

William Henry Wadsworth (July 4, 1821 - April 2, 1893) was a U.S. Representative from Kentucky.

Born in Maysville, Kentucky, Wadsworth attended town and county private schools. He studied law and graduated from Augusta College, Bracken County, Kentucky, in 1841. He was admitted to the bar in 1844 and commenced practice in Maysville, Kentucky. He served as member of the State senate 1853-1856. He served as presidential elector on the Constitutional Union ticket in 1860.

Wadsworth was elected as a Unionist to the Thirty-seventh and Thirty-eighth Congresses (March 4, 1861-March 3, 1865). He was not a candidate for renomination in 1864. During the Civil War served as aide to General Nelson, with the rank of colonel, at the Battle of Ivy Mountain. He was appointed United States commissioner to Mexico, under the treaty of Washington for the adjustment of claims, by President Grant in 1869.

Wadsworth was elected as a Republican to the Forty-ninth Congress (March 4, 1885-March 3, 1887). He was not a candidate for renomination in 1886. He resumed the practice of law. He died in Maysville, Kentucky, April 2, 1893. He was interred in Maysville Cemetery.

References

• United States Congress. "William H. Wadsworth (id: W000015)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

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