Peter D. Wigginton

Peter Dinwiddie Wigginton (September 6, 1839 – July 7, 1890) was an American lawyer and politician who served as a U.S. representative from California during the 1870s.

Peter D. Wigginton
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 4th district
In office February 7, 1878 – March 4, 1879
Preceded by	Romualdo Pacheco
Succeeded by	Romualdo Pacheco
In office March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1877
Preceded by	Sherman Otis Houghton
Succeeded by	Romualdo Pacheco
Personal details
Born	Peter Dinwiddie Wigginton (1839-09-06)September 6, 1839 Springfield, Illinois
Died	July 7, 1890(1890-07-07) (aged 50) Oakland, California
Resting place	Mountain View Cemetery, Oakland
Political party	Democratic Party (until 1886), American Party (1886–1890)
Profession	lawyer, politician

Biography

Born in Springfield, Illinois, Wigginton moved to Wisconsin with his parents in 1843. He completed preparatory studies and attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1859 and started his practice. He was editor of the Dodgeville (Wisconsin) Advocate. He moved to Snelling, California, in 1862, and continued the practice of law. He served as district attorney of Merced County 1864–1868.

Congress

Wigginton was elected as a Democrat to the 44th Congress (March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1877). After apparently losing re-election in 1876 to Romualdo Pacheco, Wigginton successfully contested Pacheco's election to the 45th Congress and was seated in his place, serving out the term (February 7, 1878 – March 4, 1879). Wigginton did not seek re-nomination.

He settled in San Francisco in 1880 and resumed the practice of law. In 1886, Wigginton founded the American Party, a nativist third party. He would go on to be nominated by the party as its candidate for Vice President in 1888.

Death

He died in Oakland, California, July 7, 1890. He was interred in Mountain View Cemetery.

Electoral history

1874 United States House of Representatives elections

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Peter D. Wigginton	15,649	48.8
	Republican	Sherman Otis Houghton (Incumbent)	11,090	34.6
	Independent	J. S. Thompson	5,343	16.7
Total votes			32,082	100.0
Turnout
	Democratic gain from Republican

1876 United States House of Representatives elections

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Romualdo Pacheco	19,104	50.0
	Democratic	Peter D. Wigginton (Incumbent)	19,103	50.0
Total votes			38,207	100.0
Turnout
	Republican gain from Democratic

References

• United States Congress. "Peter D. Wigginton (id: W000449)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• Higham, John (February 1950). "The American Party, 1886 - 1891". Pacific Historical Review: 39.

External links

• Peter D. Wigginton at Find a Grave

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress