Gilbert L. Laws

Gilbert Lafayette Laws
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Nebraska's 2nd district
In office December 2, 1889 – March 3, 1891
Preceded by	James Laird
Succeeded by	William A. McKeighan
Secretary of State of Nebraska
In office 1886–1888
Preceded by	Edward P. Roggen
Succeeded by	Benjamin R. Cowdery
Personal details
Born	March 11, 1838 Olney, Illinois, U.S.
Died	April 25, 1907 (aged 69) Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S.
Resting place	Lincoln, Nebraska
Citizenship	US
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Josephine Lawrence Laws
Children	Gertrude H. Laws Theodosia C. Laws Helen Lucile Laws
Alma mater	Haskell University Milton College
Profession	Manufacturer Politician Newspaper publisher Businessman
Military service
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	Union Army
Unit	5th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment
Battles/wars	American Civil War

Gilbert Lafayette Laws (March 11, 1838 – April 25, 1907) was an American politician, newspaper publisher and businessman. He served as the Nebraska Secretary of State and as a member of the United States House of Representatives during the 1800s.

Early life

Born on a farm near Olney, Illinois, Laws was the son of James Laws and Lucinda (Calhoun) Laws.^[1] In 1845, he moved to Iowa County, Wisconsin, with his parents. He attended Haskell University and Milton College which he financed by working in the lumber business during the summers. After graduation, he taught school until 1861.

During the American Civil War, Laws enlisted in the 5th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment. His left leg was amputated below the knee as a result of being wounded in the Battle of Williamsburg on May 5, 1862. He was discharged in July 1862 and settled in Richland County, Wisconsin.^[2]

Career

Laws was elected as the Richland County Clerk in 1862 and reelected twice. While serving as county clerk, he also published the Republican newspaper, "Richland County Observer".^[3] After selling his share of the newspaper in 1864,^[4] he manufactured lumber, wagon materials and bedsteads. He was a member of the Richland Center, Wisconsin city council in 1868 and 1869, and the city's mayor in 1869. In 1869 and 1870, he was the chairman of the county board of supervisors and from 1866-1876 the postmaster. He resigned his posts in 1876 and moved to Orleans, Nebraska.

In 1883, Laws was appointed register of the United States Land Office in McCook, Nebraska. He served in that position until November 1, 1886 when he was elected Secretary of State of Nebraska. He was Secretary of State until 1888.

Elected as a Republican candidate to the 51st United States Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of James Laird, Laws served as a United States Representative for the second district of Nebraska from December 2, 1889 - March 3, 1891.^[5]

He did not run for reelection, instead moving to Enid, Oklahoma, where he sold real estate. He returned to Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1895, and became secretary of the State board of transportation from 1896-1900.

Death

Laws died on April 25, 1907 (age 69 years, 45 days) in Lincoln, Nebraska. He is interred at Wyuka Cemetery in Lincoln.

Personal life

Laws married Josephine Lawrence on October 25, 1868. They had three daughters, Gertrude H. Laws, Theodosia C. Laws and Helen Lucile Laws.^[6]

References

1. Hayes, Arthur Badley and Cox, Samuel D. (1889). History of the City of Lincoln, Nebraska: With Brief Historical Sketches of the State and of Lancaster County. Higginson Book Company. p. 41.
2. Laws, Gilbert. Publications - Nebraska State Historical Society. Nebraska State Historical Society. p. 439.
3. Nebraska State Historical Society (1902). Publications - Nebraska State Historical Society. Nebraska State Historical Society. p. 439.
4. Laws, Gilbert. Early Events in Richland County. Richland County History. pp. Chapter 35.
5. Laws, Gilbert. A Biographical Congressional Directory: With an Outline History of the National Congress. United States. Congress. pp. 798–799.
6. Hayes, Arthur Badley and Cox, Samuel D. (1889). History of the City of Lincoln, Nebraska: With Brief Historical Sketches of the State and of Lancaster County. Higginson Book Company. p. 41.

External links

1. "Congressional Bioguide". Laws, Gilbert Lafayette. Retrieved January 28, 2006.