William Ketcham (May 24, 1819 – September 14, 1879) was an American lumber merchant and Republican politician. He served four years in the Wisconsin State Senate (1864–1865, 1868–1869), and was an assistant state treasurer. His name is sometimes spelled Ketchum in historical documents.[1]

William Ketcham
Member of the Wisconsin Senate
from the 30th district
In office
January 6, 1868 – January 3, 1870
Preceded byBenjamin Bull
Succeeded byGeorge Krouskop
In office
January 4, 1864 – January 1, 1866
Preceded byWilliam S. Purdy
Succeeded byBenjamin Bull
Personal details
Born(1819-05-24)May 24, 1819
Jericho, New York
DiedSeptember 14, 1879(1879-09-14) (aged 60)
Buena Vista, Richland County, Wisconsin
Resting placeButton Cemetery, Buena Vista, Richland County, Wisconsin
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Lodema Hepzibah Todd
(m. 1856⁠–⁠1879)
Children
  • Charles Bates Ketcham
  • (b. 1858; died 1921)
  • William Jagger Ketcham
  • (b. 1859; died 1904)
  • Abigail Rebecca Ketcham
  • (b. 1863; died 1863)
  • Maggie Louise Ketcham
  • (b. 1865; died 1879)

Biography

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Born in Jericho, New York, he moved to Wisconsin in 1851 and became involved in the lumber business. He primarily resided at Buena Vista in Richland County, and purchased a share of the ownership of a local lumber mill.[1]

He served on the County Board of Supervisors, and was elected in 1863 and 1867 to the Wisconsin State Senate.[1][2] He was considered an influential Republican in the county, and an ally of Lucius Fairchild. During Fairchild's gubernatorial terms, Ketcham served as an assistant state treasurer.[3]

He died at his home on September 14, 1879.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Butterfield, Consul Willshire (1884). History of Crawford and Richland Counties, Wisconsin. Springfield, Illinois: Union Publishing Company. p. 825. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  2. ^ Heg, J. E., ed. (1882). "Annals of the Legislature" (PDF). The Blue Book of the state of Wisconsin (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 208, 210, 217, 219. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  3. ^ a b "William Ketcham". Wisconsin State Journal. September 16, 1879. p. 4. Retrieved March 26, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
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Wisconsin Senate
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin Senate from the 30th district
January 4, 1864 – January 1, 1866
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin Senate from the 30th district
January 6, 1868 – January 3, 1870
Succeeded by