Abel Carter WILDER, Congress, KS (1828-1875)

WILDER, Abel Carter, a Representative from Kansas; born in Mendon, Worcester County, Mass., March 18, 1828; completed preparatory studies; engaged in mercantile pursuits; moved to Rochester, N.Y., and continued mercantile pursuits; moved to Leavenworth, Kans., in 1857 and again engaged in mercantile pursuits; delegate to the Osawatomie convention in 1859; delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1860 and elected its chairman; served as a captain in the Kansas brigade for one year in the Civil War; elected as a Republican to the Thirty-eighth Congress (March 4, 1863-March 3, 1865); delegate to the Republican National Conventions in 1864, 1868, and 1872; returned to Rochester, N.Y., in 1865 and published the Morning and Evening Express until 1868, when he retired from active business pursuits; elected mayor of Rochester in 1872, but resigned in 1873; died in San Francisco, Calif., December 22, 1875, while there for his health; interment in Mount Hope Cemetery, Rochester, N.Y.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present