William Bross
American politician and publisher (1813–1890) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
William J. Bross (November 4, 1813 – January 27, 1890) was an American politician and publisher originally from the New Jersey–New York–Pennsylvania tri-state area. He was also elected as the 16th Lieutenant Governor of Illinois.
William J. Bross | |
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16th Lieutenant Governor of Illinois | |
In office January 16, 1865 – January 11, 1869 | |
Governor | Richard J. Oglesby |
Preceded by | Francis Hoffmann |
Succeeded by | John Dougherty |
Personal details | |
Born | November 4, 1813 Sussex County, New Jersey |
Died | January 27, 1890(1890-01-27) (aged 76) Chicago, Illinois |
Resting place | Rosehill Cemetery |
Political party | Republican |
Children | Jessie Bross Lloyd |
Alma mater | Williams College |
Profession | Newspaper editor |
Signature | |
He engaged in the lumber trade with his father before attending Williams College. He taught at schools for ten years, then headed west to Chicago, Illinois. He engaged in book-selling and publishing interests before co-founding the successful Democratic Press paper. Following the organization of the Republican Party in 1854, Bross became a staunch supporter of its political candidates. His support for Abraham Lincoln helped him win support for a bid as lieutenant governor. In 1865, he accompanied future Vice President of the United States Schuyler Colfax on a trip west to California, later publishing a book about the excursion.