William A. Richardson
(16 January, 1811 -- 27 December, 1875) Richardson was an American lawyer and politician.
Born in Lexington, Fayette County, Ky., he was admitted to the bar in 1831 and commenced practice in Shelbyville, Illinois. Richardson served as State's attorney, and served in the State house of representatives from 1836 to 1838 and 1844 to 1846. Richardson was a major in the Mexican-American War and in 1849 was elected as a Democrat to the Thirtieth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Stephen A. Douglas. Richardson was reelected to the Thirty-first Congress and the three next Congresses. Later, Richardson was elected to the Thirty-seventh Congress, serving from March 4, 1861 until his resignation on January 29, 1863.
[Source: 'Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774- Present', available at http://bioguide.congress.gov/biosearch/biosearch.asp]
Member of
Illinois Delegation - The Road to Civil War
[this display],
Illinois Delegation - United States Thirteenth Amendment 1863-65
.