Mark D. Wilber facts for kids

Mark Dodge Wilber (born August 12, 1829 – died November 19, 1915) was an American lawyer and politician. He lived an exciting life, traveling widely and holding important positions in government and business.

Early Life and Adventures

Mark Dodge Wilber was born on August 12, 1829, in Pleasant Plains, New York. His parents were John Wilber and Keziah C. Dodge.

He went to Fairfield Academy for two years. However, he had to leave school because of health issues. To get better, he started traveling. He visited many big cities in the United States and even went to Cuba. He also spent time in New Granada (which is now Colombia), Central America, and Mexico. Eventually, he arrived in San Francisco, California.

While in California, Mark Wilber worked in different areas like trade, mining, and farming. He even had the very first threshing machine (a tool used to separate grain) built on the Pacific Coast! From 1851 to 1852, he was the president of the Settlers' Association, which helped people who were moving to new lands. In 1852, he traveled around California, giving speeches to support Franklin Pierce for president. He also ran for a seat in the California State Assembly in Sacramento County. Sadly, he lost that election. This was partly because of "ballot-stuffing" (which means votes were illegally added or changed) and a big fire that happened in the city on election night.

Law and Public Service

In 1853, Mark Wilber returned to New York. He decided to study law at Yale Law School. After graduating, he became a lawyer in New York in 1856. He started his law practice in New York City but lived in Poughkeepsie. He also studied law at the State and National Law School.

Mark Wilber was involved in many important projects. He helped start the Poughkeepsie Bridge, a famous bridge that crosses the Hudson River. He also worked as a lawyer for several companies, including the Poughkeepsie and Eastern Railway and the Poughkeepsie City Railroad Company. He even taught business law at the Eastman National Business College.

During the Civil War

During the American Civil War, Mark Wilber played a role in helping the Union Army. He helped organize soldiers for the war effort. In 1862, he became a quartermaster for the 159th New York Volunteer Infantry. A quartermaster is an officer who makes sure soldiers have supplies like food and equipment. He then worked for General Halbert E. Paine in the Department of the Gulf. He left his military service a year later due to health reasons. Later, he was appointed Judge-Advocate-General for a part of the New York National Guard.

Political Career

In 1864, Mark Wilber was elected to the New York State Assembly. He was a member of the Republican Party and represented the 2nd District of Dutchess County. He served in the Assembly for three years: 1865, 1866, and 1867.

It's interesting to note that Mark Wilber had been a Democrat when he lived in California. However, he became a Republican because of his experiences during the Civil War. Later, during President Grant's second term, he became a Democrat again. This was because he was concerned about some issues with the government at that time.

In 1870, Mark Wilber moved to Allegan, Michigan. There, he became the vice-president of the First National Bank of Allegan. In 1872, he was elected to the Michigan State Senate as a Republican, representing Michigan's 14th Senate district (Allegan County). He served in the State Senate from 1873 to 1874. In the 1874 election for the U.S. House of Representatives, he ran as a Democrat for Michigan's 5th congressional district. He lost that election to William B. Williams.

Later Years and More Travels

In 1877, Mark Wilber moved back to Poughkeepsie. Soon after, he moved to Brooklyn. In 1885, President Cleveland appointed him as the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. This meant he was a top lawyer for the U.S. government in that area. Later, he moved to Darien, Connecticut. There, he helped start the Home Bank and Trust Company and became its first president.

Mark Wilber loved to travel throughout his life. Even when he was young, he and a friend traveled to Washington D.C. and attended a party at the White House hosted by President Polk. In the early 1890s, he went on an adventure to the Arctic Ocean by traveling along the McKenzie River. In 1909, when he was almost 80 years old, he spent six months exploring Egypt and the Holy Land.

Mark Wilber was a member of several groups, including the Freemasons, the Grand Army of the Republic (a group for Union Civil War veterans), and the Military Order of the Loyal Legion.

Mark Dodge Wilber passed away at his home in Darien on November 19, 1915. He was buried in the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery.