Peter Dinwiddie Wigginton (September 6, 1839 – July 7, 1890) was an American lawyer and politician who served as a U.S. representative from California during the 1870s.

Peter D. Wigginton
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 4th district
In office
February 7, 1878 – March 4, 1879
Preceded byRomualdo Pacheco
Succeeded byRomualdo Pacheco
In office
March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1877
Preceded bySherman Otis Houghton
Succeeded byRomualdo Pacheco
Personal details
Born
Peter Dinwiddie Wigginton

(1839-09-06)September 6, 1839
Springfield, Illinois
DiedJuly 7, 1890(1890-07-07) (aged 50)
Oakland, California
Resting placeMountain View Cemetery, Oakland
Political partyDemocratic Party (until 1886), American Party (1886–1890)
Professionlawyer, politician

Biography

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Born in Springfield, Illinois, Wigginton moved to Wisconsin with his parents in 1843. He completed preparatory studies and attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1859 and started his practice. He was editor of the Dodgeville (Wisconsin) Advocate. He moved to Snelling, California, in 1862, and continued the practice of law. He served as district attorney of Merced County 1864–1868.

Congress

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Wigginton was elected as a Democrat to the 44th Congress (March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1877). After apparently losing re-election in 1876 to Romualdo Pacheco, Wigginton successfully contested Pacheco's election to the 45th Congress and was seated in his place, serving out the term (February 7, 1878 – March 4, 1879). Wigginton did not seek re-nomination.

He settled in San Francisco in 1880 and resumed the practice of law. In 1886, Wigginton founded the American Party, a nativist third party.[1] He would go on to be nominated by the party as its candidate for Vice President in 1888.

Death

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He died in Oakland, California, July 7, 1890. He was interred in Mountain View Cemetery.

Electoral history

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1874 United States House of Representatives elections
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Peter D. Wigginton 15,649 48.8
Republican Sherman Otis Houghton (Incumbent) 11,090 34.6
Independent J. S. Thompson 5,343 16.7
Total votes 32,082 100.0
Turnout  
Democratic gain from Republican
1876 United States House of Representatives elections
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Romualdo Pacheco 19,104 50.0
Democratic Peter D. Wigginton (Incumbent) 19,103 50.0
Total votes 38,207 100.0
Turnout  
Republican gain from Democratic

References

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  1. ^ Higham, John (February 1950). "The American Party, 1886 - 1891". Pacific Historical Review: 39.
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U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 4th congressional district

1875–1877
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 4th congressional district

1878–1879
Succeeded by

  This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress