George K. Shiel

George Knox Shiel (* 1825 in Ireland , † December 12, 1893 in Salem , Oregon ) was an American politician . Between 1861 and 1863 he represented the state of Oregon in the US House of Representatives .

Early years

After his immigration to the United States, George Shiel was in New Orleans in the state of Louisiana down. He later moved to Ohio , where he studied law and practiced as a lawyer after he was admitted to the bar. In 1854 he moved to Salem, Oregon . He also worked there as a lawyer.

Controversial elections and entry into Congress

George Shiel became a member of the Democratic Party . In June 1860 he was elected in Oregon as a member of the US House of Representatives legislature beginning March 4, 1861. Later that year, all election dates in Oregon were postponed to November with immediate effect. However, it was not regulated by law what should happen to the congressional elections that had already been held in June. In any case, there were new congressional elections in November, which Andrew J. Thayer won. Oregon State now had two elected MPs, but only one seat in the House of Representatives. Thayer took the seat on March 4, 1861, and Shiel appealed these proceedings. On July 30, 1861, the Electoral Committee of Congress decided that George Shiel was the duly determined candidate from Oregon. He took up his mandate immediately and was able to exercise it until March 3, 1863. In 1862 he refused to run again. He was considered a supporter of slavery and was a staunch opponent of President Abraham Lincoln .

Another résumé

After returning to Oregon, he returned to work as a lawyer. However, his license was withdrawn for a time because he refused to take the oath on the United States. He died in an accident on December 12, 1893 when he fell from a sidewalk through a railing into a stairwell, breaking his neck.

Web links

• George K. Shiel in the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress (English)

• George K. Shiel in the database of Find a Grave (English)