William MEDILL, Congress, OH (1802-1865)

MEDILL, William, a Representative from Ohio; born in New Castle County, Del., in 1802; completed preparatory studies, and was graduated from Newark (Del.) Academy (later Delaware College) in 1825; studied law; was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Lancaster, Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1830; member of the State house of representatives 1835-1838 and served as speaker in 1836 and 1837; elected as a Democrat to the Twenty-sixth and Twenty-seventh Congresses (March 4, 1839-March 3, 1843); unsuccessful candidate for reelection to the Twenty-eighth Congress; Second Assistant Postmaster General in 1845; Commissioner of Indian Affairs 1845-1850; president of the State constitutional convention in 1850; Lieutenant Governor of Ohio in 1852 and 1853 and became Acting Governor on July 13, 1853, when Gov. Reuben Wood resigned; elected Governor the same year and served in 1854 and 1855; unsuccessful candidate for reelection as Governor; First Comptroller of the United States Treasury 1857-1861; died in Lancaster, Ohio, on September 2, 1865; interment in Elmwood Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present