William Peters Hepburn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William P. Hepburn
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Iowa's 8th district |
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| In office March 4, 1881 – March 3, 1887 March 4, 1893 – March 3, 1909 |
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| Preceded by | William Fletcher Sapp (1st) James Patton Flick (2nd) |
| Succeeded by | Albert R. Anderson (1st) William Darius Jamieson (2nd) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 4, 1833 Wellsville, Ohio, US |
| Died | February 7, 1916 (aged 82) |
| Political party | Republican |
| Residence | Clarinda, Iowa |
| Profession | Attorney |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | Union Army |
| Rank | .svg){kind=small} Captain |
| Unit | Company B, 2nd Iowa Cavalry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | |
William Peters Hepburn (born November 4, 1833 – died February 7, 1916) was an important American politician. He served many terms as a Republican congressman from Iowa. He was also an officer in the American Civil War.
Hepburn was known as a great speaker and a strong leader in Congress. He helped create many laws that controlled businesses. His most famous law was the Hepburn Act of 1906. This law made sure that railroad companies charged fair prices for their services.
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Early Life and Career
William P. Hepburn was born in Wellsville, Ohio. When he was seven years old, his family moved to Iowa City, Iowa. He had limited formal schooling.
Hepburn was the great-grandson of Matthew Lyon. Lyon was a soldier in the American Revolutionary War, a printer, and a congressman. Hepburn was also related to Thomas Chittenden, the first Governor of Vermont.
Hepburn first worked as an apprentice printer. Later, he studied law. He became a lawyer and served as a prosecuting attorney for Marshall County starting in 1856. He was also a district attorney and a clerk for the Iowa House of Representatives.
In May 1860, Hepburn was a delegate at the 1860 Republican National Convention. At this meeting, Abraham Lincoln was chosen to run for president. Hepburn even attended Lincoln's presidential inauguration in Washington D.C.
Service in the Civil War
During the American Civil War, William P. Hepburn was an officer. He served in the 2nd Regiment Iowa Volunteer Cavalry. He started as a captain and was later promoted to major and then lieutenant colonel.
He took part in several important battles. These included the final part of the Battle of Island Number Ten and the Siege of Corinth. He also fought in the Battle of Iuka and the Battle of Collierville, Tennessee. Because he had legal experience, he sometimes worked as an inspector or a judge for military trials.
Hepburn finished his military service in October 1864. He moved his family to Memphis, Tennessee, but later returned to Clarinda, Iowa in 1867. In 1886, he joined a group for Civil War officers called the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.
First Time in Congress
After returning to Iowa, Hepburn became active in Republican politics again. In 1880, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He represented Iowa's 8th congressional district.
He won re-election in 1882 and 1884. However, in 1886, he lost to Albert R. Anderson. Anderson ran on a platform that was against large companies and unfair railroad prices. Some historians believe Hepburn's defeat helped push Congress to create the Interstate Commerce Commission. This commission would help regulate railroads.
In 1889, when Benjamin Harrison became president, Hepburn worked as the Solicitor of the United States Treasury. This was a legal role for the government.
Return to Congress and Key Laws
In 1892, Hepburn ran for his old congressional seat again. He won and was re-elected seven more times. During this time, he became the chairman of the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce. This was a very powerful position.
Hepburn was known for being a strong debater. He sometimes seemed tough on newer members of Congress. However, he also strongly believed in changing House rules. He wanted to make sure that the Speaker of the House did not have too much power.
Hepburn worked hard to pass laws about food quality. In 1902, his "Hepburn Pure Food Act" passed the House of Representatives. Later, after the book The Jungle was published, a similar bill called the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 became law. Hepburn was a key person in getting this bill passed.
He also played a big role in getting money for a canal to connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. He first preferred a route through Nicaragua. But in the end, he helped get the money needed to build the Panama Canal.
The Hepburn Act of 1906
One of Hepburn's most important achievements was sponsoring the Hepburn Act of 1906. This law was a major goal for President Theodore Roosevelt. The Act gave the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) the power to set maximum rates that railroads could charge. It also stopped railroads from giving free passes to loyal customers.
Many experts see the Hepburn Act as the most important law about railroads in the early 1900s. It helped make sure that railroad companies charged fair and reasonable prices for their services.
Later Years and Legacy
In 1908, Hepburn ran for his twelfth term in Congress but was defeated by William D. Jamieson. Even though he lost, Hepburn continued his work to reform House rules. He became chairman of a group that wanted to limit the power of Speaker Joe Cannon. This time, Hepburn's efforts succeeded. Speaker Cannon had to give up some of his power to block bills.
After leaving Congress, Hepburn returned to practicing law. He worked in Washington, D.C., and then back in Clarinda. He passed away on February 7, 1916.
The small town of Hepburn, Iowa, was named in his honor. His home in Clarinda, known as the William P. Hepburn House, is a National Historic Landmark.
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William P. Hepburn
