Calvin Willey

Calvin Willey (September 15, 1776 – August 23, 1858) was an American politician from Connecticut who served in the United States Senate.

Calvin Willey
United States Senator from Connecticut
In office May 4, 1825 – March 4, 1831
Preceded by	James Lanman
Succeeded by	Gideon Tomlinson
Member of the Connecticut House of Representatives
In office 1805-1806 1810 1812 1820-1821
Member of the Connecticut Senate
In office 1823-1824
Personal details
Born	September 15, 1776 East Haddam, Connecticut, US
Died	August 23, 1858 (aged 81) Stafford, Connecticut, US
Political party	National Republican (1825-1831) Democratic (1832)

Early life

Willey was born at East Haddam, Connecticut. He went to the common schools.[1] Then he started to study law at Hebron, Connecticut, in 1795 and was admitted to the bar in February 1798.[2] He commenced practice at Chatham and moved to Stafford in 1800. He was appointed the first postmaster at Stafford Springs, a position he held 1806–1808. He lived in Stafford until 1808, when he moved to Tolland, where he since resided.[3] Later, he was also a postmaster of Tolland in 1812–1816.[4]

Political career

Willey was elected member of the Connecticut House of Representatives for Stafford twice and served from 1805 to 1806. He was also a member of the State house of representatives 1810, 1812, 1820–1821, this time representing Tolland. He was judge of probate for Stafford district 1818–1825. In 1823–1824, he was a member of the Connecticut State Senate. He was elector in the Presidential Election of 1824. He was elected to the United States Senate for the term which started on March 4, 1825, but he did not serve until May 4, 1825, then he served for the rest of the term to March 4, 1831. He was chairman for the Senate Committee on Agriculture in the Nineteenth Congress.[5]

Later years

After leaving Congress, he held no more public offices, but continued to practice law.[6] He ran for Governor of Connecticut as a Democrat in 1832, but was unsuccessful.

He died in Stafford, Connecticut, August 23, 1858, and was interred in Skungamaug Cemetery in Tolland.[7][8]

References

1. Calvin Willey at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
2. Memorials of Connecticut Judges and Attorneys, Calvin Willey Archived 2011-06-16 at the Wayback Machine, as Printed in the Connecticut Reports, Volume 14, Appendix, pages 22-23.
3. Memorials of Connecticut Judges and Attorneys, Calvin Willey Archived 2011-06-16 at the Wayback Machine, as above.
4. Calvin Willey as above.
5. Calvin Willey as above.
6. Memorials of Connecticut Judges and Attorneys, Calvin Willey Archived 2011-06-16 at the Wayback Machine, as above.
7. Calvin Willey as above.
8. The Political Graveyard, Index to Politicians: Willauer to William, Willey.