William Franklin Draper (politician) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids William Franklin Draper
U.S. Ambassador and Minister Plenipotentiary to Italy
In office 1897–1899
President	William McKinley
Preceded by	Wayne MacVeagh
Succeeded by	George von Lengerke Meyer
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts's 11th district
In office March 4, 1893 – March 3, 1897
Preceded by	Frederick S. Coolidge
Succeeded by	Charles F. Sprague
Personal details
Born	April 9, 1842 Lowell, Massachusetts
Died	January 28, 1910 (aged 67) Washington, D.C.
Resting place	Hopedale Village Cemetery, Hopedale, Massachusetts
Political party	Republican
Spouses	Lydia Joy; Susan Preston m. May 22, 1890.
Awards	Brevet Colonel Brevet Brigadier General.
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	United States Union
Branch/service	United States Army Union Army
Years of service	September 5, 1861-October 12, 1864
Rank	Private; (September 5, 1861); *Second Lieutenant (September 18, 1861); *Captain (August 12, 1862); *Lieutenant Colonel (May 6, 1963);
Unit	Company B, 25th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. * 36th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.
Battles/wars	American Civil War Siege of Vicksburg Battle of the Wilderness Siege of Petersburg Second Battle of the Weldon Railroad

William Franklin Draper (born April 9, 1842 – died January 28, 1910) was an important American businessman and soldier. He also served as a U.S. Representative for Massachusetts.

About William Draper's Early Life

William Draper was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, on April 9, 1842. His family had lived in Massachusetts for a very long time. As a young person, William went to public and private schools. He studied how machines work and how to make cotton products.

William F. Draper at the end of the American Civil War.

Draper's Military Service

During the American Civil War, William Draper joined the army. He started as a private in the Twenty-fifth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, in 1861. He quickly became a Second Lieutenant and then a Lieutenant Colonel. After the war, he was given special honorary ranks of colonel and brigadier general for his service.

Key Battles Draper Fought In

• Siege of Vicksburg
• Battle of the Wilderness
• Siege of Petersburg
• Second Battle of the Weldon Railroad

Draper's Business and Political Career

After the war, William Draper joined his family's business. They made machines for the textile industry in Hopedale, Massachusetts. He created many new and better designs for these machines.

Equestrian statue of Draper erected in 1912 in Milford, Massachusetts.

Serving in Congress

William Draper was a member of the Republican Party. He was elected to the United States House of Representatives for two terms. He served from March 4, 1893, to March 3, 1897. During his time in Congress, he led the Committee on Patents. This committee worked on new inventions and ideas.

Later Roles and Achievements

In 1896, William Draper became the president of the Draper Co., his family's business. Later, from 1897 to 1899, he served as the Ambassador to Italy. This meant he represented the United States in Italy.

Family and Legacy

William Draper was married twice. His first wife was Lydia Joy, who passed away in 1884. He then married Susan Preston in 1890. Susan's father was General William Preston. It was interesting because William Draper was a Union general, and Susan's father was a Confederate general. Their daughter, Margaret Preston Draper, married an Italian prince.

William Franklin Draper passed away in Washington, D.C., on January 28, 1910. He was buried in the Village Cemetery in Hopedale, Massachusetts.

See also

• List of Massachusetts generals in the American Civil War
• Massachusetts in the American Civil War