• Biography

Early Life

Henry Wilson was born on February 16, 1812, in Farmington, New Hampshire. He was the son of Winthrop and Abigail Wilson. His father was a farmer and his mother was a homemaker. He was the youngest of seven children. He had a difficult childhood, as his father was an alcoholic and his mother was often ill. He was forced to work on the family farm from a young age, and he had little formal education.

Military Career

At the age of 18, Wilson enlisted in the United States Army and served in the Mexican-American War. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant major and was later discharged in 1848. After his discharge, he returned to New Hampshire and worked as a shoemaker. In 1851, he moved to Natick, Massachusetts, and opened a successful shoe store.

Political Career

In 1855, Wilson was elected to the Massachusetts State Senate. He served in the Senate for four years and was a strong advocate for the abolition of slavery. He was a leader in the Free Soil Party and was a vocal opponent of the Kansas-Nebraska Act. In 1860, he was elected to the United States Senate and served until 1872. During his time in the Senate, he was a strong supporter of the Union during the Civil War and was a key figure in the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment, which abolished slavery.

Legacy

After leaving the Senate, Wilson was elected Vice President of the United States in 1872. He served as Vice President under President Ulysses S. Grant until 1875. He was an important figure in the Republican Party and was a strong advocate for civil rights. He died on November 22, 1875, in Washington, D.C. He is remembered as a champion of civil rights and a leader in the fight against slavery.

Date modified: Apr 5, 2023
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