Ransom W. Dunham
Ransom W. Dunham | |
|---|---|
 1882 portrait photograph | |
| 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 | March 21, 1838 Savoy, Massachusetts, US |
| Died | August 19, 1896 (aged 58) Springfield, Massachusetts, US |
| 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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]- ^ 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
[edit]- 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
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