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Willard Warner
Willard Warner.jpeg
Born (1826-09-04)September 4, 1826
Granville, Ohio
Died November 23, 1906(1906-11-23) (aged 80)
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Place of burial
Cedar Hill Cemetery, Newark, Ohio
Allegiance United States of America
Union
Service/branch United States Army
Union Army
Rank Union Army brigadier general rank insignia.svg brevet Brigadier General
Commands held 180th Ohio Infantry
Battles/wars American Civil War

Willard Warner was an important figure in American history. He was born on September 4, 1826, and passed away on November 23, 1906. During the American Civil War, he served as a high-ranking officer, a brigadier general, in the Union Army. After the war, he became a U.S. senator for the state of Alabama.

Willard Warner's Early Life and Education

Willard Warner was born in Granville, Ohio. His family had a history of public service. For example, his great-grandfather, Luke Knowlton, helped found Newfane, Vermont. Luke Knowlton was also a leader in Vermont during the American Revolution.

Warner went to college and graduated from Marietta College. After college, he started his own business. He founded the Newark Machine Works in Newark, Ohio. He was also related to another important person: his brother-in-law was Charles R. Woods, who later became a Civil War general.

Willard Warner's Role in the Civil War

In December 1861, Willard Warner joined the army. He became a major in the 76th Ohio Infantry. He fought in many important battles during the American Civil War. These battles took place in the Western part of the war.

Some of the battles he fought in include the Battle of Fort Donelson and the Siege of Corinth. He also took part in the Vicksburg Campaign. In 1863, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel. He led his regiment from Vicksburg to Chattanooga.

Later, he worked for the famous General William T. Sherman. Warner served on Sherman's team during the Atlanta Campaign. He worked as an inspector general, making sure everything was in order.

In October 1864, Warner was promoted again. He became a colonel of the 180th Ohio Infantry. By March 13, 1865, he earned the special titles of brevet brigadier general and major general. He left the army in July of that year.

Willard Warner's Political Career After the War

After the Civil War, Willard Warner continued to serve his country. First, he was elected to the Ohio State Senate. He served there for one term.

In 1867, he moved to the South. He started working in cotton-planting. The next year, he became a member of the Alabama House of Representatives.

When Alabama was allowed to rejoin the Union, Warner was elected as a U.S. senator. He was a member of the Republican Party. He served as a senator from July 13, 1868, to March 3, 1871. He served alongside Senator George E. Spencer.

Warner did not win reelection for his Senate seat. He was offered a job as Governor of New Mexico by President Grant, but he turned it down. He returned to Alabama and later to Tennessee. There, he worked on different business projects.

He also served as a collector of customs in Mobile, Alabama, from July 1871 to February 1872. He was offered other important roles, like Governor of New Mexico and Minister to Argentina, but he declined them. In 1868, he was part of the Republican National Convention.

Willard Warner passed away in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery in Newark, Ohio.

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