William Farrand Prosser facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Farrand Prosser
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee's 5th district |
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| In office March 4, 1869 – March 3, 1871 |
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| Preceded by | John Trimble |
| Succeeded by | Edward Isaac Golladay |
| Member of the Tennessee House of Representatives | |
| In office 1867-1869 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | March 16, 1834 Williamsport, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | September 23, 1911 (aged 77) Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Flora Thornton Prosser |
| Children | William Thornton Prosser Margaret Prosser Mildred Prosser |
| Profession | teacher, miner, soldier, farmer, publisher, politician |
William Farrand Prosser (born March 16, 1834 – died September 23, 1911) was an American politician. He served in the U.S. Congress for Tennessee. He was also a Union Colonel during the American Civil War.
Contents
Early Life and Education
William Farrand Prosser was born on March 16, 1834. His birthplace was Williamsport, Pennsylvania. His parents, David and Rachel Williams Prosser, were immigrants from Wales. When he was very young, his family moved to Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
Prosser had a limited formal education. However, he later became a school teacher. He also studied law, but he never worked as a lawyer. In 1854, he moved to California. There, he worked in mining.
Serving in the Civil War
When the American Civil War began in 1861, Prosser returned to Pennsylvania. He joined the Union Army. He rose through the ranks and became a Colonel. He served throughout the entire war.
Prosser fought in many important battles. These included the Battle of Shiloh and the Battle of Stones River. He also took part in the Siege of Knoxville. For a short time in 1862, Prosser was a prisoner of war.
Life in Tennessee
After the Civil War, Prosser settled on a farm near Nashville, Tennessee. He became involved in politics. From 1867 to 1869, he was elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives.
In 1869, Prosser was elected to the Forty-first United States Congress. He was a member of the Republican Party. He served in Congress from March 4, 1869, to March 3, 1871.
After his time in Congress, Prosser worked as the postmaster of Nashville from 1872 to 1875. He also published a newspaper called the Nashville Republican for several years.
Moving to Washington State
In 1879, President Rutherford B. Hayes appointed Prosser to a new role. He became a special agent for the United States Department of the Interior. His work covered the areas of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Prosser moved to Washington State that same year.
On April 6, 1880, he married Flora Louise Thornton in Seattle. In 1882, they settled in the Yakima River valley. Prosser helped found the town of Prosser, Washington there. He and Flora had three children: William Thornton Prosser, Margaret Helen Prosser, and Mildred Cyrenia Prosser.
In 1889, Prosser was a delegate at the first Washington State Constitutional Convention. This meeting helped create the state's constitution.
Later Years and Legacy
William Prosser was one of the people who started the Washington State Historical Society. He even served as its president for a time. In 1903, he wrote a two-volume history book. It was called A History of the Puget Sound Country.
He also held other important positions. He was the chairman of the State harbor line commission. He served as mayor of North Yakima. Later, he was the city treasurer of Seattle from 1908 to 1910.
Death
William Farrand Prosser passed away on September 23, 1911. He was 77 years old. He is buried at Lake View Cemetery in Seattle, Washington.
