William Wall (March 20, 1800 – April 20, 1872) was an American businessman, banker, and politician who served one term as a

U.S. Representative The United States House of Representatives, often referred to as the House of Representatives, the U.S. House, or simply the House, is the lower chamber of the United States Congress, with the Senate being the upper chamber. Together they c ...

from New York during the

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states th ...

Biography

Born in

Philadelphia Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Sinc ...

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...

, Wall received a limited schooling. He was trained as a rope maker by his brother in law and worked as a journeyman. In 1822 Wall moved to

Williamsburg Williamsburg may refer to: Places *Colonial Williamsburg, a living-history museum and private foundation in Virginia *Williamsburg, Brooklyn, neighborhood in New York City *Williamsburg, former name of Kernville (former town), California *Williams ...

, now part of

Brooklyn, New York Brooklyn () is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Kings County, in the U.S. state of New York. Kings County is the most populous county in the State of New York, and the second-most densely populated county in the United States, be ...

, where he established himself as a cordage manufacturer.

Early political career

Wall became a Whig and served in village offices in Williamsburg, including trustee, commissioner of highways, member of the board of finance, and commissioner of waterworks. He served as mayor in 1853 and was one of the leaders of the successful movement for Williamsburg to merge with Brooklyn.

Business career

He was one of the incorporators of the Williamsburg Savings Bank and served as its president. Wall was also one of the founders of the Williamsburg City Bank (later the First National Bank) and the Williamsburg Dispensary.

Congress

Wall was elected as a

Republican Republican can refer to: Political ideology * An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law. ** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...

to the Thirty-seventh Congress and served one term, March 4, 1861 – March 3, 1863. He declined to be a candidate for renomination in 1862.

Later career and death

During the war Wall was consulted by

Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln ( ; February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) was an American lawyer, politician, and statesman who served as the 16th president of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. Lincoln led the nation thro ...

and members of the Lincoln administration concerning operation of the

Brooklyn Navy Yard The Brooklyn Navy Yard (originally known as the New York Navy Yard) is a shipyard and industrial complex located in northwest Brooklyn in New York City, New York. The Navy Yard is located on the East River in Wallabout Bay, a semicircular bend ...

; they also sought his advice on financial issues pertinent to the wartime operation of the federal government. He served as delegate to the

National Union Convention The National Union Convention (also known as the Loyalist Convention, the Southern Loyalist Convention, the National Loyalists' Loyal Union Convention, or the Arm-In-Arm Convention) was held on August 14, 15, and 16 1866, in Philadelphia, Pennsylva ...

in 1866. Wall died in Brooklyn on April 20, 1872, and was interred in

Green-Wood Cemetery Green-Wood Cemetery is a cemetery in the western portion of Brooklyn, New York City. The cemetery is located between South Slope/ Greenwood Heights, Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Borough Park, Kensington, and Sunset Park, and lies several bl ...

, Section 56, Lot 9802.

Legacy

His rope making company remained in business under the management of his sons, and in 1930 celebrated its 100th anniversary. The ''Honorable William Wall'' is the floating clubhouse of the Manhattan Sailing Club, and was named in his honor.Manhattan Yacht Club
''Honorable William Wall''
retrieved June 17, 2014

References

External links

Retrieved on 2009-04-24 * {{DEFAULTSORT:Wall, William 1800 births 1872 deaths Burials at Green-Wood Cemetery People of New York (state) in the American Civil War New York (state) Whigs Politicians from Philadelphia People from Williamsburg, Brooklyn 19th-century American businesspeople American bankers Mayors of places in New York (state) Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from New York (state) 19th-century American politicians