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Charles W. Cathcart

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Charles W. Cathcart
United States Senator
from Indiana
In office
December 6, 1852 – January 18, 1853
Appointed byJoseph A. Wright
Preceded byJames Whitcomb
Succeeded byJohn Pettit
Member of the United States House of Representatives
from Indiana's 9th district
In office
March 4, 1845 – March 3, 1849
Preceded bySamuel C. Sample
Succeeded byGraham N. Fitch
Member of the Indiana Senate
In office
1837–1840
Personal details
Born
Charles William Cathcart

July 24, 1809
Funchal, Kingdom of Portugal
DiedAugust 22, 1888(1888-08-22) (aged 79)
La Porte, Indiana
Resting placePine Lake Cemetery
Political partyDemocratic

Charles William Cathcart (July 24, 1809 – August 22, 1888) was a 19th-century American politician who was both a United States representative and Senator from Indiana.

Biography

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He was born in Funchal, Madeira Island, Portugal where his father, James Leander Cathcart was the United States Consul. He travelled to Spain with his parents, attended private schools, and returned to the United States in 1819 and went to sea.

Career

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He moved to Washington, D.C., in 1830, and was a clerk in the United States General Land Office. He moved to Indiana and was justice of the peace at New Durham Township in 1833. He engaged in agricultural pursuits near La Porte in 1837, was a United States land surveyor, and was a member of the Indiana Senate from 1837 to 1840.

Congress

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Cathcart was elected as a Democrat to the Twenty-ninth and Thirtieth Congresses, serving from March 4, 1845, to March 3, 1849; he was appointed to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of James Whitcomb and served from December 6, 1852, to January 18, 1853. He was an unsuccessful candidate for election in 1860 to the Thirty-seventh Congress and engaged in agricultural pursuits.

Death and burial

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He died on his farm near La Porte in 1888 and was interred in Pine Lake Cemetery.

References

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  • United States Congress. "Charles W. Cathcart (id: C000250)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
[edit]
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by U.S. Congressman, Indiana 9th District
1845–1849
Succeeded by
U.S. Senate
Preceded by U.S. senator (Class 3) from Indiana
1852–1853
Served alongside: Jesse D. Bright
Succeeded by