William Manning Lowe (June 12, 1842 – October 12, 1882) was an American politician and Confederate Civil War veteran who served the state of Alabama in the U.S. House of Representatives between 1879 and 1881 and in 1882.

William M. Lowe
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Alabama's 8th district
In office
June 3, 1882 – October 12, 1882
Preceded byJoseph Wheeler
Succeeded byJoseph Wheeler
In office
March 4, 1879 – March 3, 1881
Preceded byWilliam Willis Garth
Succeeded byJoseph Wheeler
Member of the Alabama House of Representatives
In office
1870–1878
Personal details
Born
William Manning Lowe

June 12, 1842
Huntsville, Alabama, U.S.
DiedOctober 12, 1882(1882-10-12) (aged 40)
Huntsville, Alabama, U.S.
Cause of deathTuberculosis
Resting placeMaple Hill Cemetery
Political partyGreenback
EducationUniversity of Virginia
Military service
Allegiance Confederate States
Branch/service Confederate States Army
Years of service1861–1865
RankLieutenant colonel
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War

Biography

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William M. Lowe was born on June 12, 1842, in Huntsville, Alabama. He attended the Wesleyan University at Florence, Alabama and the University of Virginia.

Civil War

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During the American Civil War he enlisted in the Confederate States Army, eventually rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel.

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He studied law, was admitted to the bar, and practiced in Huntsville. He was solicitor of the fifth judicial circuit between 1865 and 1867.

Political career

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In 1870, he was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives, and was a delegate to the Alabama constitutional convention of 1875.

Congressional election dispute

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Lowe was elected in 1878 as a Greenback to the U.S. House of Representatives, but in initial results was defeated for reelection by Joseph Wheeler in 1880, 601 votes for Lowe having been declared illegal by election judges. In a highly contentious recount that lasted over a year, Lowe successfully contested Wheeler's election and assumed the office on June 3, 1882.

Lowe only served four months in Congress prior to his death.

Death and burial

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Lowe died of tuberculosis at his home in Huntsville on October 12, 1882. He was buried in Maple Hill Cemetery in Huntsville.

Following Lowe's death, Wheeler won a special election to fill the vacant congressional seat and served the remaining weeks of the term.[1]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Congressional Biography; Lawley, "Gen. Joe Wheeler was entangled in recount."

References

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  • United States Congress. "William M. Lowe (id: L000474)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
  • Lawley, Jim. "Gen. Joe Wheeler was entangled in recount." at the Wayback Machine (archived July 14, 2001) The Decatur Daily, December 10, 2000, online edition (retrieved July 14, 2001).
  • http://www.newspaperabstracts.com/link.php?action=detail&id=30888
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  This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Alabama's 8th congressional district

March 4, 1879 - March 3, 1881
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Alabama's 8th congressional district

June 3, 1882 - October 12, 1882
Succeeded by
Vacant