William CLAFLIN, Congress, MA (1818-1905)

CLAFLIN, William, a Representative from Massachusetts; born in Milford, Mass., March 6, 1818; attended the public schools, and Brown University, Providence, R.I.; engaged in the shoe and leather business in St. Louis, Mo., and afterward in Boston, Mass.; member of the State house of representatives 1849-1852; moved to Newton, Mass., in 1855 and continued his business activity in Boston; served in the State senate in 1860 and 1861, being president of that body in the latter year; member of the Republican National Executive Committee 1864-1875, serving as chairman 1868-1872; Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts 1866-1868; Governor of Massachusetts 1869-1871; elected as a Republican to the Forty-fifth and Forty-sixth Congresses (March 4, 1877-March 3, 1881); was not a candidate for renomination in 1880; resumed his former business pursuits; died in Newton, Middlesex County, Mass., January 5, 1905; interment in Newton Cemetery, Newtonville, Mass.

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