Gilbert Lafayette Laws | |
|---|---|
.jpg) The Aurora Republican (Aurora, NE), October 25, 1889 | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromNebraska's2nd district | |
| In office December 2, 1889 – March 3, 1891 | |
| Preceded by | James Laird |
| Succeeded by | William A. McKeighan |
| Secretary of State of Nebraska | |
| In office 1886–1888 | |
| Governor | James W. Dawes John Milton Thayer |
| Preceded by | Edward P. Roggen |
| Succeeded by | Benjamin R. Cowdery |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1838-03-11)March 11, 1838 Olney, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | April 25, 1907(1907-04-25) (aged 69) Lincoln,Nebraska, U.S. |
| Resting place | Wyuka Cemetery,Lincoln, Nebraska |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Josephine Lawrence Laws |
| Children | Gertrude H. Laws Theodosia C. Laws Helen Lucile Laws |
| Alma mater | Haskell University Milton College |
| Occupation | Manufacturer Politician Newspaper publisher Businessman |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Volunteers Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861-1862 |
| Rank | Sergeant, USV |
| Unit | 5th Reg. Wis. Vol. Infantry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Gilbert Lafayette Laws (March 11, 1838 – April 25, 1907) was an American politician, newspaper publisher and businessman. He served as theNebraska Secretary of State and as a member of theUnited States House of Representatives during the 1800s.
Born on a farm nearOlney, Illinois, Laws was the son of James Laws and Lucinda (Calhoun) Laws.[1][2] In 1845, he moved toIowa County, Wisconsin, with his parents. He attendedHaskell University andMilton College which he financed by working in the lumber business during the summers.[1] After graduation, he taught school until 1861 inRichland Center, Wisconsin.[1]
During theAmerican Civil War, Laws enlisted in the5th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. His left leg was amputated below the knee as a result of being wounded in theBattle of Williamsburg on May 5, 1862. He was discharged in July 1862 and settled inRichland County, Wisconsin.[1][3]
Laws was elected as the RichlandCounty Clerk in 1862 and reelected twice.[1] While serving as county clerk, he also published the Republican newspaper, "Richland County Observer".[4] After selling his share of the newspaper in 1864,[5] he manufactured lumber, wagon materials and bedsteads. He was a member of theRichland Center, Wisconsincity council in 1868 and 1869, and the city's mayor in 1869. In 1869 and 1870, he was the chairman of the county board of supervisors and from 1866 to 1876 the postmaster. He resigned his posts in 1876 and moved toOrleans, Nebraska.
Laws moved to Nebraska in 1876.[1] In 1883, Laws was appointed register of theUnited States General Land Office inMcCook, Nebraska. He served in that position until November 1, 1886, when he was electedSecretary of State of Nebraska. He was Secretary of State until 1888.[1]
Elected as aRepublican candidate to the51st United States Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death ofJames Laird, Laws served as a United States Representative for the second district of Nebraska from December 2, 1889, to March 3, 1891.[1][6]
He did not run for reelection, instead moving toEnid, Oklahoma, where he sold real estate. He returned toLincoln,Nebraska, in 1895, and became secretary of the State board of transportation from 1896 to 1900.
Laws died on April 25, 1907 (age 69 years, 45 days), in Lincoln, Nebraska.[1][7] He isinterred atWyuka Cemetery in Lincoln.
Laws married Josephine Lawrence on October 25, 1868. They had three daughters, Gertrude H. Laws, Theodosia C. Laws and Helen Lucile Laws.[2]
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by James Laird (R) | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromNebraska's 2nd congressional district December 2, 1889 – March 3, 1891 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Secretary of State of Nebraska 1886-1888 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
