William A. Poynter

William Amos Poynter (May 29, 1848 – April 5, 1909) was a Nebraska politician and the tenth Governor of Nebraska from 1899 to 1901, running under a fusion ticket between the Populist and the Democratic Party. He had previously also been elected to the former Nebraska State House of Representatives in 1885 and the State Senate in 1891.[1]

William A. Poynter
10th Governor of Nebraska
In office
January 5, 1899 – January 3, 1901
LieutenantEdward A. Gilbert
Preceded bySilas A. Holcomb
Succeeded byCharles Henry Dietrich
Member of the Nebraska House of Representatives
In office
1884
Personal details
Born
William Amos Poynter

(1848-05-29)May 29, 1848
Eureka, Illinois
DiedApril 5, 1909(1909-04-05) (aged 60)
Lincoln, Nebraska
Political partyDemocratic Party (United States)
People's Party (United States)
Spouse(s)Maria Josephine McCorkle
Children2
Alma materEureka College

Early life

Born in Eureka, Illinois, Poynter completed his college studies at Eureka College, graduating in 1867. He married Maria Josephine McCorkle in 1869, and the couple had two children: Josephine and Charles.[2] Poynter worked as a merchant in Eureka, Illinois, for several years until relocating his family to Albion, Nebraska in 1879.

Career

Poynter worked as a rancher and a farmer in Boone County, Nebraska, and became active in politics.[3] He helped organize the Farmers' Alliance and was elected to the Nebraska State Legislature in 1884.[4] He was elected to the Nebraska State Senate and named President Pro Tempore of that body.[5]

Poynter was nominated again in 1892, but he was defeated by Republican George D. Meiklejohn. He served as a member of the State Legislature for nearly two decades before being elected governor in 1898.[6] Poynter served only one term as governor, being narrowly defeated in 1900 by Charles H. Dietrich. When he retired from public life, he remained active in his own business affairs and was also president of the Security Savings and Loan Association.[7]

Death

Poynter died suddenly while visiting then Governor Ashton C. Shallenberger. He is interred at Wyuka Cemetery, Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska.

References
  1. "Poynter, William Amos". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved January 4, 2006.
  2. "William A. Poynter". Semi-Centennial History of Nebraska. Retrieved September 17, 2012.
  3. "William A. Poynter". National Governors Association. Retrieved September 17, 2012.
  4. Gov. William A. Poynter papers at the Nebraska State Historical Society. Retrieved on July 6, 2009.
  5. "William A. Poynter". The Encyclopedia of Nebraska. Retrieved September 17, 2012.
  6. Eureka College Alumni Directory, 1860-1976, pg. 3.
  7. "William A. Poynter". National Governors Association. Retrieved September 17, 2012.


Party political offices
Preceded by
Silas A. Holcomb		 Democratic nominee for Governor of Nebraska
1898, 1900		 Succeeded by
William Henry Thompson
Political offices
Preceded by
Silas A. Holcomb		 Governor of Nebraska
1899–1901		 Succeeded by
Charles H. Dietrich
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