Legislator Details


William Ward Duffield
AKA:
Number of sessions served 1
Sessions served
Gender: Male
Age at election: 55

Vital Records Information:

Birth
Date: 11/19/1823
City: Carlisle, PA
County:
Country: US
 
Death
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Burial
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Marital Information:

Number of Children: 0

Background

Religion:
Military Service: United States Army
Occupation: civil engineer
Race:

Education:
graduated from Columbia College, NYC, 1842

Biographical Sketch:
He moved to Detroit in 1836. Admitted to the bar in 1844. He was adjutant in the 2nd Tennessee Infantry in the Mexican War. He was connected to New York railroads as an engineer and superintendent until 1852, when he surveyed the Detroit and Milwaukee road, from Pontiac to Grand Haven, as chief engineer; and the road from Mendota to Galesburgh, IL and from Detroit to Port Huron. He was a lieutenant Colonel in the 4th Michigan Infantry in May 1861; Colonel of the 9th Infantry in September. He commanded the 23rd brigade and was military governor of Kentucky, east of the Tennessee River. He was wounded at the battle of Murfreesboro, and taken prisoner. Though paroled, his wounds prevented him from returnong to the field. He took charge of several Pennsylvania coal mines and had conflicts with the Mollie Maguires. Later he took charge of Kentucky iron works and was involved with kentucky railroads.

Notable Facts:

Sessions Served:

Thirtieth Legislature, 1879-1880
Chamber: Senate
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Mines and Minerals and Mining Interests, State Normal School, Military Affairs , State Library
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Inkster
County of Residence Wayne
District: 3
District Description: Ward 12 of the city of Detroit; townships of Brownstown, Canton, Dearborn, Ecorse, Huron, Livonia, Monguagon, Nankin, Plymouth, Redford, Romulus, Springwells, Sumpter, Taylor, Van Buren and city of Wyandotte, in Wayne County

Date Elected: 11/5/1878
Date Sworn In: 1/1/1879
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed

Maritial Status: Married
Notes:

Bibliography:

Manual 1879 p.92, 532
View Bibliographical Sources