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William Edgar Simonds | |
|---|---|
.jpg) William Edgar Simonds, Medal of Honor recipient | |
| Born | (1842-11-24)November 24, 1842 |
| Died | March 14, 1903(1903-03-14) (aged 60) |
| Place of burial | Canton Center Cemetery Canton, Connecticut |
| Allegiance | United States Union |
| Branch | Union Army |
| Service years | 1862–1863 |
| Rank |  Second Lieutenant |
| Conflicts | American Civil War *Battle of Irish Bend |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
| Other work | Lawyer Congressman |
William Edgar Simonds (November 24, 1842 – March 14, 1903) was aUnited States representative fromConnecticut and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest award, theMedal of Honor, for his actions as a soldier in theAmerican Civil War.
Born inCollinsville, a neighborhood ofCanton, Connecticut, Simonds attended the public school and Collinsville High School. He graduated fromConnecticut State Normal School atNew Britain in 1860 and became a teacher.
During the Civil War, Simonds enlisted August 18, 1862 as aprivate in Company A,25th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. He was promoted tosergeant major before being mustered into the service. On April 14, 1863 he participated in theBattle of Irish Bend,Louisiana. It was for his actions at Irish Bend that he would later be awarded the Medal of Honor. Ten days after the battle he became acommissioned officer with a promotion tosecond lieutenant and was reassigned to Company I of his regiment. He mustered out with his regiment in August 1863[1]
After his military service, Simonds attendedYale Law School and graduated in 1865. He wasadmitted to the bar and commenced the practice of law inHartford, Connecticut. He served as a member of theConnecticut House of Representatives in 1883 and 1885, and served asSpeaker in the latter year.
Simonds was elected as aRepublican to the51st United States Congress (March 4, 1889 – March 3, 1891). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1890 to the52nd Congress. He then served as United States Commissioner ofPatents from 1891 to 1893.
Simonds served on theConnecticut Agricultural College's board of trustees and was a driving force behind the ouster of PresidentBenjamin F. Koons in 1898 and the appointment of Simonds' friend and fellow Collinsville residentGeorge Washington Flint as president.[2]
On February 25, 1899, Simonds was issued the Medal of Honor for his action at the Battle of Irish Bend thirty-six years earlier.
After leaving politics, Simonds resumed the practice of law. He died inHartford, Connecticut, on March 14, 1903, and was buried at Village Cemetery in his hometown of Canton, Connecticut.
Rank and organization: Sergeant Major, 25th Connecticut Infantry. Place and date: At Irish Bend, La., April 14, 1863. Entered service at: Canton, Conn. Birth: ------. Date of issue: February 25, 1899.
Citation
Displayed great gallantry, under a heavy fire from the enemy, in calling in the skirmishers and assisting in forming the line of battle.[3]
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This article incorporatespublic domain material fromBiographical Directory of the United States Congress.Federal government of the United States.
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| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromConnecticut's 1st congressional district 1889-1891 | Succeeded by |
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