Diedrich Willers Jr.

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Diedrich Willers Jr. (November 3, 1833 – June 25, 1908) was a

Democratic politician from Varick, New York who served as Secretary of State of New York. Born to a working class German immigrant family, his political fortune was a notable example of the effect of civil service reform.[1]

Early life

Born in rural

Baltimore, Maryland in 1819, and began preaching to various Seneca County, New York congregations in 1821,[1] and was also notable as a critic of Mormonism.[2] His mother was born in New Holland, Pennsylvania of Pennsylvania Dutch stock.[1]

Willers' early life was one of toil; he divided his time between working on the family farm in the summers and attending district school in the winter. With the exception of two terms at the Seneca Falls Academy, he had no schooling other than district school.[1] He began teaching at the district school at age 16, and at age 22 entered the printing business, but was forced to abandon that pursuit due to ill health.[1]

Political career

He was destined by his father for the ministry, but took an early interest in politics. Having managed to obtain at intervals a law degree from

New York Secretary of State Gideon J. Tucker's office in 1857, and held this position during the succeeding terms of David R. Floyd-Jones and Horatio Ballard until 1863, when Governor Horatio Seymour appointed him as his personal secretary.[1]

He later returned to farming in Varick, where he was chairman of the board of supervisors in 1865 and 1866. In March 1867, Willers was appointed by President

1873, and this time won,[1] serving from 1874 to 1875. He was a member of the New York State Assembly (Seneca Co.) in 1878.[3]

He was Deputy Secretary of State under Frederick Cook, retiring at the end of 1889,[4] and there was talk of nominating Willers for Secretary of State again, but he declined due to declining health.[5]

He died in Varick, New York on June 25, 1908.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Boone, H.H; Theodore Pease Cook (1875). Life Sketches of Government Officers and Members of the Legislature of the State of New York for 1875. J. Munsell.
  2. ^ Quinn, D. Michael, trans. and ed. "The First Months of Mormonism: A Contemporary View by Rev. Diedrich Willers". 54 (July 1973). New York History: 317–33. Archived from the original on 2008-12-07. Retrieved 2008-04-05. {{cite journal}}: |first= has generic name (help); Cite journal requires |journal= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. Rochester, Monroe County, New York
    ed. of July 7, 1903
  4. ^ in NYT on November 29, 1889
  5. ^ "Mr. Willers Not a Candidate". The New York Times. September 18, 1889.
  6. ^ "Diedrich Willers Dead". The New York Times. June 26, 1908.

External links

Political offices
Preceded by
New York Secretary of State

1874–1875 		Succeeded by
New York State Assembly
Preceded by
Albert L. Childs
 New York State Assembly
Seneca County
1878 		Succeeded by
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