George WILLARD, Congress, MI (1824-1901)

WILLARD, George, a Representative from Michigan; born in Bolton, Vt., March 20, 1824; attended school and received instruction from his father; moved with his parents to Battle Creek, Mich., in 1836; was graduated from Kalamazoo (Mich.) College in 1844; taught school and also studied theology, and was ordained a minister of the Episcopal Church in 1848; rector of churches in Coldwater, Battle Creek, and Kalamazoo, Mich., until 1863; professor of Latin in Kalamazoo (Mich.) College in 1863 and 1864; engaged in newspaper work in Battle Creek, Calhoun County, Mich.; member of the Michigan State Board of Education 1857-1863; regent of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor 1863-1872; member of the State house of representatives in 1866 and 1867; member of the State constitutional convention in 1867; delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1872; elected as a Republican to the Forty-third and Forty-fourth Congresses (March 4, 1873-March 3, 1877); was not a candidate for renomination in 1876; resumed newspaper work in Battle Creek, Mich.; editor and owner of the Battle Creek Journal until his death in Battle Creek, Mich., March 26, 1901; interment in Oak Hill Cemetery.

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