William Henry Hatch | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives from Missouri | |
| In office March 4, 1879 – March 3, 1895 | |
| Preceded by | John M. Glover |
| Succeeded by | Charles N. Clark |
| Constituency | 12th district (1879–1883) 1st district (1883–1895) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1833-09-11)September 11, 1833 Georgetown,Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | December 23, 1896(1896-12-23) (aged 63) |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Jennie L. Smith Thetis Clay Hawkins |
| Children | 2 |
William Henry Hatch (September 11, 1833 – December 23, 1896) was aU.S. representative fromMissouri. He was the namesake of theHatch Act of 1887, which established stateagricultural experiment stations for theland-grant colleges. Hatch is also the namesake ofHatch Hall, a Residence Hall at theUniversity of Missouri.
William Henry Hatch was born on September 11, 1833[1][2] nearGeorgetown, Kentucky.[3] Hatch attended the schools ofLexington, Kentucky, and studied law at a law office inRichmond. He was admitted to the bar in Kentucky in 1854.[1][3]
Hatch practiced law for one year inHarrodsburg, Kentucky.[3] Hatch moved toHannibal, Missouri, in 1856 and opened a law office with a partner named Campbell. He was elected as Circuit Attorney of theSixteenth Judicial Circuit of Missouri in 1858 and 1860.[1][2][3]
By 1862, Hatch enlisted with theConfederate States Army in theCivil War.[3] He was made a commissioned captain and assistant adjutant general under GeneralG. W. Smith[1] in December 1862, and in March 1863 was assigned to duty as assistant commissioner of exchange of prisoners under the cartel, and continued in this position until the close of the war.[2] He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1864.[1]
In 1872, Hatch ran for governor of Missouri, but lost.[3] Hatch was elected as aDemocrat to the Forty-sixth and to the seven succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1879 – March 4, 1895), during which time he served as chairman of the Committee on Agriculture (Forty-eighth through Fiftieth and Fifty-second and Fifty-third Congresses). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1894 to the Fifty-fourth Congress. After his congressional career, he engaged in agricultural pursuits.[3]
Hatch married Jennie L. Smith ofScott County, Kentucky. She died in 1858.[3] Hatch married Thetis Clay Hawkins of Missouri at the age of 28.[2][3] He had two children, Sallie and Lewellen.[1][2]
Hatch raised cattle, horses and hogs atStrawberry Hill, west of Hannibal.[3]
Hatch died ofBright's disease nearHannibal, Missouri, on December 23, 1896,[1][2][3] and was interred in Mount Olivet Cemetery.[4]
Hatch is the namesake of the community ofHatch, Missouri.[5] While William Hatch is by no means a household name, his name has become synonymous with the agricultural experiment stations that were founded by his legislation. He is best remembered through the many laboratories and lecture halls named in his memory at land-grant institutions across the US.
In his hometown of Hannibal, Missouri, a bronze statue was erected in his name in 1914, nearly 20 years after his death, which stands in the center of that town today. In 1987 a plaque was added to this monument commemorating the centennial of theHatch Act of 1887.
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
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| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromMissouri's 12th congressional district 1879–1883 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromMissouri's 1st congressional district 1883–1895 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
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| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
