George Augustus La Dow

George Augustus La Dow (March 18, 1826 – May 1, 1875) was a U.S. Representative from Oregon. Elected as a Democrat due to a split among Republicans, La Dow died before Congress assembled.

George Augustus La Dow
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oregon's At-large district
In office March 4, 1875 – May 1, 1875
Preceded by	James W. Nesmith
Succeeded by	Lafayette Lane
Member of the Oregon House of Representatives
In office 1872–1874
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
In office 1868–1869
Personal details
Born	March 18, 1826 Cayuga County, New York
Died	May 1, 1875 (aged 49) Pendleton, Oregon
Political party	Democratic

Early life

Born in Cayuga County, New York near Syracuse, La Dow moved with his family to McHenry County, Illinois where he attended public school and studied law. In 1850, he was admitted to the bar and opened a law practice in Waupaca, Wisconsin. From 1860 to 1862, he served as district attorney of Waupaca County.

In 1862, he moved his law practice to Wilton, Minnesota and served as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1868 and 1869.

Congressional campaign of 1874

In 1869, La Dow moved to Pendleton, Oregon, serving one term as a member of the Oregon House of Representatives from 1872 to 1874.

In 1874, he was selected as the Democratic nominee for Oregon's seat in the United States House of Representatives. Though little known outside of Umatilla County,[1] due to a split among Oregon Republicans, La Dow faced not only Republican candidate Richard Williams, but also Timothy W. Davenport (father of political cartoonist Homer Davenport), who ran as an Independent. Williams and Davenport debated each other all around the state, split the Republican vote, and handed La Dow a plurality and the election.[1][2]

However, before Congress convened its session, La Dow died on May 1, 1875. He was interred in Pioneer Park Cemetery in Pendleton.

United States House election, 1874: Oregon's At-large congressional district[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	George A. La Dow	9,642	38%
	Republican	Richard Williams	9,340	37%
	Independent	Timothy W. Davenport	6,350	25%

See also

• List of United States Congress members who died in office (1790–1899)

References

1. Geer, T. T. (1912). Fifty Years in Oregon: Experiences, Observations, and Commentaries Upon Men, Measures, and Customs in Pioneer Days and Later Times. The Neale Publishing Company. pp. 275–277.
2. Ross, Earle Dudley (1910). The Liberal Republican Movement. Henry Holt and Company. pp. 213. Retrieved 2008-02-26.
3. White, David M. (1876). The Tribune Almanac and Political Register for 1876. Ayer Publishing. p. 54. ISBN 0-405-06385-7.

External links

• United States Congress. "George Augustus La Dow (id: L000002)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• George Augustus La Dow at Find a Grave

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress website http://bioguide.congress.gov.