William Holcombe (July 22, 1804 – September 5, 1870) was a United States Democratic politician and the first Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota. He was born in Lambertville, New Jersey and died in Stillwater, Minnesota; Holcombe was mayor of Stillwater, when he died.[1][2]

William Holcombe
William Holcombe, 1858
1st Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
In office
May 24, 1858 – January 2, 1860
GovernorHenry Hastings Sibley
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byIgnatius L. Donnelly
Personal details
Born(1804-07-22)July 22, 1804
Lambertville, New Jersey, U.S.
DiedSeptember 5, 1870(1870-09-05) (aged 66)
Stillwater, Minnesota, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Martha Wilson (1826), Henrietta King Clendenin (1847)
Professioncarriage maker, steamboat captain, public official

He was a member of first Minnesota Legislature. His term as Lieutenant Governor did not expire until a few weeks after the 2nd Minnesota State Legislative Session began. Although the Republican Party had a majority in the Minnesota Senate, Holcombe, a Democrat, presided over them until January 2, 1860 when the state officials were sworn in. Some of his rulings so frustrated the Republican majority that they asked the House to impeach him. The House responded that they had no right to interfere with the workings of the Senate and suggested they change their rules. The issue was resolved when Republican Ignatius Donnelly was finally sworn in as Lieutenant Governor.[3]

Notes

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  1. ^ Minnesota Historical Society
  2. ^ Lawrence Kestenbaum. "Index to Politicians: Holbrooke to Holdekamp". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
  3. ^ Holcombe, William, Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, Accessed December 8, 2010.
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Political offices
Preceded by
None
Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
1858 – 1860
Succeeded by