Ransom W. Dunham | |
---|---|
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 1st district | |
In office March 4, 1883 – March 3, 1889 | |
Preceded by | William Aldrich |
Succeeded by | Abner Taylor |
President of the Chicago Board of Trade[1] | |
In office 1882 | |
Preceded by | Henry W. Rodgers Jr. |
Succeeded by | James B. Hobbs |
First Vice-President of the Chicago Board of Trade[1] | |
In office 1881 | |
Preceded by | Henry W. Rodgers Jr. |
Succeeded by | William E. McHenry |
Second Vice-President of the Chicago Board of Trade[1] | |
In office 1880 | |
Preceded by | Henry W. Rodgers Jr. |
Succeeded by | William E. McHenry |
Personal details | |
Born | Savoy, Massachusetts, US | March 21, 1838
Died | August 19, 1896 Springfield, Massachusetts, US | (aged 58)
Resting place | Mount Hope Cemetery, Chicago, Illinois, US |
Political party | Republican |
Occupation | Grain and provision merchant |
Ransom Williams Dunham (March 21, 1838 – August 19, 1896) was an American businessman and politician from Chicago. A Republican, from 1883 to 1889 he served as a U.S. Representative from Illinois. He also served on the Chicago Board of Trade, including as its president.
Early life, education, and career
Dunham was born in Savoy, Massachusetts on March 21, 1838.[2] He attended the local schools and the high school in Springfield.[2] After completing his education, Dunham worked as a clerk for the MassMutual life insurance company from 1855 to 1857.[2]
Chicago mercantile career and Chicago Board of Trade
In 1857, Dunham moved to Chicago, where he became a grain and provision merchant.[2]
In 1880 he served as the Chicago Board of Trade's second vice-president. In 1881, he served as its first vice-president.[1] In 1882, he served an elected term as its president.[1][2] During his presidency of the board, the cornerstone was laid for a new building for the board, construction of which was ultimately completed in 1885.[3]
U.S. House of Representatives
In 1882 Dunham was elected to the United States House of Representatives as a Republican. [2] He was reelected in 1884 and 1886, and served in the 48th, 49th, and 50th United States Congress (March 4, 1883 to March 3, 1889).[2] He represented Illinois's 1st congressional district.
Later life and death
After leaving Congress, Dunham retired from politics and business.[2] He died in Springfield, Massachusetts on August 19, 1896, while en route to attend Savoy's centennial celebration.[2] He was buried at Mount Hope Cemetery in Chicago.[4]
References
- ^ a b c d e Andreas, Alfred Theodore (1886). History of Chicago: From the fire of 1871 until 1885. A. T. Andreas. p. 320.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Joint Committee On Printing, United States Congress (1913). A Biographical Congressional Directory. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office. p. 618 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Board of Trade I". Chicagology.com. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
- ^ Spencer, Thomas E. (1998). Where They're Buried. Baltimore, MD: Clearfield Company. p. 168. ISBN 978-0-8063-4823-0 – via Google Books.
External links
- United States Congress. "Ransom W. Dunham (id: D000541)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress