Spaulding, Mr. (Oliver Lyman), 1833-1922

Soldier from St. Johns, Michigan who served in Co. A., Twenty-third Michigan Infantry during the Civil War, later Regent of the University of Michigan, teacher, lawyer, Republican Congressman from Michigan, and U.S. Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.

Soldier from St. Johns, Michigan who served in Co. A, Twenty-third Michigan Infantry during the Civil War, later Regent of University of Michigan, teacher, lawyer, Republican Congressman from Michigan, and U.S. Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.

Oliver Lyman Spaulding was born in New Hampshire, August 2, 1833. He graduated from Oberlin College in 1855. He taught school for a time while also studying law. He was admitted to the Bar in 1858 and began his practice in St. Johns, Michigan. He was chosen in 1858 to the Board of Regents of the University of Michigan, filling out the term of the Rev. John Van Vleck, leaving that position on January 1, 1864. While a regent, Spaulding served as captain, later major, lieutenant colonel, colonel, and eventually brevetted brigadier general, in the 23rd Michigan Infantry.

After the war, Spaulding returned to the practice of law and public service. In 1866 and again in 1868, he was elected Michigan Secretary of State. In 1875, he was appointed a special agent of the United States Treasury Department, serving until 1880 following his election to the US Congress. In 1883, Spaulding served as chairman of a commission sent by the government to the Sandwich Island to investigate alleged violations of the Hawaiian Reciprocity Treaty. In 1885, he was again appointed special agent of the United States Treasury Department. From 1890 to 1893 and from 1897 to 1903, he served as Assistant Secretary of the US Treasury Department. In 1903, Spaulding was President of the first Pan-American Congress.

Twice a widower after brief marriages, Spaulding in 1862 married Mary Cecelia Swegles. The couple were married sixty years at the time of his death, July 30, 1922.