William Trevitt

William Trevitt (February 7, 1809 – February 8, 1881) was a doctor, politician, diplomat, and newspaper publisher in 19th century Ohio. He served two times as Ohio Secretary of State, three years in the Ohio House of Representatives, was a surgeon in the Mexican–American War, and was a diplomat in South America.

For the British ballet dancer and choreographer, see William Trevitt (dancer).

William Trevitt
6th Ohio Secretary of State
In office June 1840 – 1841
Appointed by	Wilson Shannon
Preceded by	Carter B. Harlan
Succeeded by	John Sloane
10th Ohio Secretary of State
In office January 12, 1852 – January 13, 1856
Governor	Reuben Wood William Medill
Preceded by	Henry W. King
Succeeded by	James H. Baker
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the Perry County district
In office December 5, 1836 – December 1, 1839
Preceded by	Joshua Brown
Succeeded by	James J. Wilson
Personal details
Born	(1809-02-07)February 7, 1809 Mont Vernon, New Hampshire
Died	February 8, 1881(1881-02-08) (aged 72) Columbus, Ohio
Resting place	Green Lawn Cemetery Columbus, Ohio
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Lucinda Butler
Children	Six
Alma mater	Dartmouth Medical School
Signature

Biography

William Trevitt was born February 7, 1809 in Mont Vernon, New Hampshire, youngest son of Henry and Jane Trevitt.[1] He graduated as a doctor of medicine in the Class of 1830 from Dartmouth Medical School,[2] and moved to Baltimore, Fairfield County, Ohio, where he practiced medicine.[3]

Trevitt moved to Thornville, Perry County, Ohio,[3] where he was elected to serve 1836–1839 in the Ohio House of Representatives.[4]

Ohio Secretary of State Carter B. Harlan died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on June 9, 1840.[5] Governor Shannon appointed Trevitt to the position on a temporary basis until the Ohio General Assembly met early in 1841 to elect a successor.[6]

During the Mexican–American War, Trevitt was a surgeon with the Second Ohio Infantry.[2][7] In 1851, a new constitution in Ohio made the Secretary of State an elective position, and Trevitt defeated the Free Soil Party incumbent and a Whig, and was re-elected in 1853. He lost to a Republican for re-election in 1855, and served January 1852 to January 1856.

From 1857 to 1860, Trevitt was consul to Valparaíso, Chile, and 1860–1861 to Callao, Peru, by appointment of President Franklin Pierce.[2] He returned to Columbus, Ohio, where he entered the newspaper business. He established the Sunday Morning News in November 1867, and published it until selling in 1870.[8]

Trevitt died in Columbus on February 8, 1881.[1][2][7] He was interred at Green Lawn Cemetery, Columbus, Ohio.[9] He had married Lucinda Butler in Columbus, and had six children.[1]

See also

• Ohio Secretary of State elections

References

1. Smith, Charles James (1907). History of the Town of Mont Vernon, New Hampshire. Boston: Blanchard Printing. p. Part 2, 158.
2. Bisbee, Marvin Davis (1900). General catalogue of Dartmouth College and the associated schools 1769–1900. Hanover NH: Dartmouth College. p. 333.
3. Wiseman, C.M.L. (1901). Pioneer Period and Pioneer People of Fairfield County. F.J. Heer Printing Co. p. 117.
4. Ohio General Assembly (1917). Manual of Legislative Practice in the General Assembly. State of Ohio. pp. 269, 272.
5. Baltimore Sun, June 12, 1840
6. Taylor, William Alexander; Taylor, Aubrey Clarence (1899). Ohio Statesmen and Annals of Progress: From the Year 1788 to the Year 1900 ... State of Ohio. p. 186.
7. Lee, Alfred E (1892). History of the City of Columbus, Capital of Ohio. 1. New York: Munsell and Company. p. 746.
8. Lee 1892, p. 434
9. Green Lawn Cemetery Burial Records

• William Trevitt at Find a Grave

Political offices
Preceded by Carter B. Harlan	Secretary of State of Ohio 1840–1841	Succeeded by John Sloane
Preceded by Henry W. King	Secretary of State of Ohio 1852–1856	Succeeded by James H. Baker