William A. Poynter
| William A. Poynter | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 10th Governor of Nebraska | |
|
In office January 5, 1899 – January 3, 1901 | |
| Lieutenant | Edward A. Gilbert |
| Preceded by | Silas A. Holcomb |
| Succeeded by | Charles Henry Dietrich |
| Member of the Nebraska House of Representatives | |
|
In office 1884 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
William Amos Poynter May 29, 1848 Eureka, Illinois |
| Died |
April 5, 1909 (age 60) Wyuka Cemetery, Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska |
| Political party |
Democratic Party (United States) People's Party (United States) |
| Spouse(s) | Maria Josephine McCorkle |
| Children | Josephine and Charles |
| Alma mater | Eureka College |
William Amos Poynter (May 29, 1848 – April 5, 1909) was a Nebraska politician and the tenth Governor of Nebraska from 1899 to 1901, running under a fusion ticket between the Populist and the Democratic Party. He had previously also been elected to the former Nebraska State House of Representatives in 1885 and the State Senate in 1891.[1]
Early life
Born in Eureka, Illinois, Poynter completed his college studies at Eureka College, graduating in 1867. He married Maria Josephine McCorkle in 1869, and the couple had two children: Josephine and Charles.[2] Poynter worked as a merchant in Eureka, Illinois, for several years until relocating his family to Albion, Nebraska in 1879.
Career
Poynter worked as a rancher and a farmer in Boone County, Nebraska, and became active in politics.[3] He helped organize the Farmers' Alliance and was elected to the Nebraska State Legislature in 1884.[4] He was elected to the Nebraska State Senate and named President Pro Tempore of that body.[5]
Poynter was nominated again in 1892, but he was defeated by Republican George D. Meiklejohn. He served as a member of the State Legislature for nearly two decades before being elected governor in 1898.[6] Poynter served only one term as Governor, being narrowly defeated in 1900 by Charles H. Dietrich. When he retired from public life, he remained active in his own business affairs and was also President of the Security Savings and Loan Association.[7]
Death
Poynter died suddenly while visiting then Governor Ashton C. Shallenberger. He is interred at Wyuka Cemetery, Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska USA.[8]
References
- ↑ "The Political Graveyard". Poynter, William Amos. Retrieved January 4, 2006.
- ↑ "William A. Poynter". Semi-Centennial History of Nebraska. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
- ↑ "William A. Poynter". National Governors Association. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
- ↑ Gov. William A. Poynter papers at the Nebraska State Historical Society. Retrieved on 2009-07-06.
- ↑ "William A. Poynter". The Encyclopedia of Nebraska. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
- ↑ Eureka College Alumni Directory, 1860-1976, pg. 3.
- ↑ "William A. Poynter". National Governors Association. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
- ↑ "William A. Poynter". Find A Grave. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to William A. Poynter. |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Silas A. Holcomb |
Governor of Nebraska 1899–1901 |
Succeeded by Charles H. Dietrich |