William Wall (New York politician)

William Wall (March 20, 1800 – April 20, 1872) was an American businessman, banker, and politician who served one term as a U.S. Representative from New York during the American Civil War.

For other people named William Wall, see William Wall (disambiguation).
William Wall
William Wall, Congressman from New York
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 5th district
In office
March 4, 1861 – March 3, 1863
Preceded byWilliam B. Maclay
Succeeded byFernando Wood
Personal details
Born(1800-03-20)March 20, 1800
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedApril 20, 1872(1872-04-20) (aged 72)
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Resting placeGreen-Wood Cemetery, Kings County, New York, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Other political
affiliations		Whig
OccupationBusinessman, cordage manufacturer

Biography

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Wall received a limited schooling. He was trained as a rope maker by his brother in law and worked as a journeyman. In 1822 Wall moved to Williamsburg, now part of Brooklyn, New York, where he established himself as a cordage manufacturer.

Early political career

Wall became a Whig and served in village offices in Williamsburg, including trustee, commissioner of highways, member of the board of finance, and commissioner of waterworks. He served as mayor in 1853 and was one of the leaders of the successful movement for Williamsburg to merge with Brooklyn.[1][2]

Business career

He was one of the incorporators of the Williamsburg Savings Bank and served as its president.[3] Wall was also one of the founders of the Williamsburg City Bank (later the First National Bank) and the Williamsburg Dispensary.

Congress

Wall was elected as a Republican to the Thirty-seventh Congress and served one term, March 4, 1861 – March 3, 1863. He declined to be a candidate for renomination in 1862.

Later career and death

During the war Wall was consulted by Abraham Lincoln and members of the Lincoln administration concerning operation of the Brooklyn Navy Yard; they also sought his advice on financial issues pertinent to the wartime operation of the federal government.[4]

He served as delegate to the National Union Convention in 1866.

Wall died in Brooklyn on April 20, 1872, and was interred in Green-Wood Cemetery, Section 56, Lot 9802.[5][6]

Legacy

His rope making company remained in business under the management of his sons, and in 1930 celebrated its 100th anniversary.[7]

The Honorable William Wall is the floating clubhouse of the Manhattan Sailing Club, and was named in his honor.[8]

References
  1. Rufus Rockwell Wilson, Historic Long Island, 1902, page 242
  2. John T. Hubbell, James W. Geary, Jon L. Wakelyn, Biographical Dictionary of the Union: Northern Leaders of the Civil War, 1995, page 565
  3. Edgerton Grant North, The First Hundred Years, 1851-1951: An Account of the Founding and Growth of the Williamsburgh Savings Bank, 1951, page 33
  4. Marine Sales Department, Socony-Vacuum Oil Company, The Compass, Volumes 53-55, 1983, page 16
  5. New York Times, The Funeral of the Late William Wall, April 25, 1872
  6. Green-Wood Cemetery, Burial search, William Wall, retrieved June 17, 2014
  7. Hardware Age magazine, Wall Rope Works is 100 Years of Age, Volume 126, Issues 10-17, 1930, page 37
  8. Manhattan Yacht Club, Honorable William Wall, retrieved June 17, 2014

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

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