William Williamson (politician)
William Williamson (October 7, 1875 – July 15, 1972) was a teacher, a lawyer, a judge, and a U.S. Representative from South Dakota. He was the last U.S. Representative from the third district of South Dakota.
| William D. Williamson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Dakota's 3rd district | |
|
In office March 4, 1921 – March 3, 1933 | |
| Preceded by | Harry L. Gandy |
| Succeeded by | constituency abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
October 7, 1875 Mahaska County, Iowa |
| Died |
July 15, 1972 (aged 96) Custer, South Dakota |
| Resting place |
Mountain View Cemetery, Rapid City, South Dakota |
| Political party | Republican |
| Alma mater | University of South Dakota School of Law |
| Occupation | Attorney, newspaper publisher |
Biography
William Williamson was born near New Sharon in Mahaska County, Iowa. In 1882, he moved with his parents to Plankinton, Aurora County, South Dakota.
Education
He attended public school for his elementary education. In 1903 he graduated from the University of South Dakota at Vermilion and then in 1905 from the University of South Dakota School of Law.
Career
He was admitted to the bar in 1905. He began his law practice in Oacoma, South Dakota in Lyman County in that same year. He was a co-founder (along with his brother) of Murdo Coyote and the Prairie Sun.
From 1905-1911 he was prosecuting attorney of Lyman County. From 1911 until 1921 he served as court circuit judge for the 11th judicial district From March 1921-March 1933 he was elected as a Republican to congress (five succeeding terms. In 1912 he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention and served as Chairman on the Committee on Expenditures in the Department of the Interior for the 68th and 69th Congresses; Committee on Expenditures in Executive Departments for the 70th and 71st Congresses;[1]
Post political career
He resumed his law practice in Rapid City, and was special assistant attorney general of South Dakota also being assigned as general counsel for the Public Utilities Commission 1939-1951. He also served the Department of Insurance of South Dakota.
During the years of 1929-1972 he was a member of the Mount Rushmore National Memorial Commission.
Death
He died on July 15, 1972 in Custer, South Dakota. He is buried in Pine Lawn Cemetery, Rapid City, South Dakota.[2]
References
External links
- United States Congress. "William Williamson (id: W000553)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- William Williamson's biography
- William Williamson Papers at Special Collections and Archives at The University of South Dakota, Vermillion
| United States House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Harry L. Gandy |
United States Representative (3rd District) for South Dakota 1921–1933 |
Succeeded by none |
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| Two At-large seats (1889–1913) |
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| Districts (1913–1983) |
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| One At-large seat (1983–present) |
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