William J. Sewell
American politician / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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William Joyce Sewell (December 6, 1835 – December 27, 1901) was an American Republican Party politician, merchant, and military officer who served as a U.S. Senator from New Jersey for two non-consecutive terms from 1881 to 1887 and 1895 until his death in 1901.
William J. Sewell | |
---|---|
United States Senator from New Jersey | |
In office March 4, 1881 – March 3, 1887 | |
Preceded by | Theodore F. Randolph |
Succeeded by | Rufus Blodgett |
In office March 4, 1895 – December 27, 1901 | |
Preceded by | John R. McPherson |
Succeeded by | John F. Dryden |
President of the New Jersey Senate | |
In office 1876 | |
Preceded by | John W. Taylor |
Succeeded by | Leon Abbett |
In office 1879–1880 | |
Preceded by | George C. Ludlow |
Succeeded by | Garret Hobart |
Member of the New Jersey Senate from Camden County | |
In office 1872 – March 4, 1881 | |
Preceded by | Edward Bettle |
Succeeded by | Albert Merritt |
Personal details | |
Born | (1835-12-06)December 6, 1835 Castlebar, County Mayo, Ireland |
Died | December 27, 1901(1901-12-27) (aged 66) Camden, New Jersey, U.S. |
Resting place | Harleigh Cemetery Camden, New Jersey, U.S. |
Awards | Medal of Honor |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States Union |
Branch/service | United States Army Union Army |
Years of service | 1861–1865 |
Rank | Colonel Brevet Major General |
Commands | 5th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry |
Battles/wars | American Civil War *Battle of Chancellorsville *Battle of Gettysburg |
Sewell was born in Castlebar, County Mayo, Ireland. He immigrated to the United States in 1851 where he worked in the merchant industry in Chicago, Illinois, before moving to Camden, New Jersey, in 1860. He served as an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War, receiving the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Chancellorsville. He was also a Reconstruction Era state senator and U.S. Senator. The community of Sewell, New Jersey, is named for him.[1]