Allen Bushnell

Allen Bushnell was an American lawyer and politician who served as a U.S. Representative for Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district during the 52nd Congress from 1891 to 1893. A member of the Democratic Party, Bushnell's political career was marked by his earlier affiliations with the Republican Party, his service as a Union Army officer during the American Civil War, and his roles in local and federal government. His contributions to public service included being the first mayor of Lancaster, Wisconsin, and serving as the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin. Bushnell's legislative efforts included advocating for silver-backed currency and supporting a constitutional amendment for the direct election of U.S. senators.

Early life and career

Allen Bushnell was born on July 18, 1833, in Hartford, Ohio. He received his early education in local public schools before attending Oberlin and Hiram colleges, where he studied law. In 1854, he moved to Grant County, Wisconsin, where he began his legal career by reading law under the mentorship of attorney Stephen O. Paine in Platteville. To support himself during this period, he also taught school. By December 1857, Bushnell was admitted to the Wisconsin Bar in Lancaster, Wisconsin, and subsequently established a legal practice in Platteville, which he maintained for four years.

In 1860, Bushnell was elected as the district attorney for Grant County, assuming office in January 1861. However, his tenure was cut short by the outbreak of the American Civil War. Responding to President Abraham Lincoln's call for volunteers, Bushnell resigned from his position to enlist in the Union Army. He joined a militia company known as the Platteville Guards, which later became Company C of the 7th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. Initially serving as a private, he was soon commissioned as a first lieutenant and later promoted to captain. His regiment became part of the renowned Iron Brigade of the Army of the Potomac, participating in significant battles such as the Second Battle of Bull Run and the Battle of Fredericksburg. Bushnell's military service concluded in 1863 due to medical disability, after which he returned to Ohio for recuperation.

House tenure

After returning to Wisconsin in 1864, Bushnell resumed his legal practice and relocated from Platteville to Lancaster. Shortly after his return, he was appointed by Governor James T. Lewis to fill the remainder of the term of the district attorney who had resigned. Bushnell's political career continued to evolve as he became involved with the Republican Party, winning election to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1871, where he represented Grant County's 2nd Assembly district. During his time in the Assembly, he served on committees focused on the judiciary and charitable institutions.

In 1878, following the incorporation of Lancaster as a city, Bushnell was elected as its first mayor. His political alignment shifted in the mid-1870s when he became disillusioned with the Republican Party's political machine. He publicly endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Samuel J. Tilden in 1876, marking his transition to the Democratic Party. After Grover Cleveland's election as President in 1885, Bushnell was appointed as the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, a position he held until 1890.

In 1890, Bushnell was the Democratic nominee for the U.S. House of Representatives in Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district. He won the election against incumbent Republican Robert M. La Follette, a notable victory in a wave election. He moved to Madison, Wisconsin, in 1891 and was sworn into the 52nd Congress. During his time in office, Bushnell became an advocate for silver-backed currency and supported a proposed constitutional amendment for the direct election of U.S. senators. This amendment passed the House but ultimately failed in the Senate, only to be ratified later as the Seventeenth Amendment.

Bushnell's time in Congress was impacted by redistricting in 1891, which placed him in the same district as fellow Democrat Charles Barwig. The Democratic Party chose to renominate Barwig for the 1892 election, leading to Bushnell's departure from Congress in March 1893 after completing his term.

Legislative focus and committees

During his term in the U.S. House of Representatives, Bushnell focused on several key legislative issues, particularly those related to monetary policy and electoral reform. He was a proponent of silver-backed currency, advocating for its adoption as a means to stabilize the economy and provide relief to farmers and working-class citizens. This stance was part of a broader populist movement during the late 19th century, which sought to address the economic challenges faced by many Americans.

Bushnell's support for the direct election of U.S. senators marked a significant aspect of his legislative agenda. The proposed constitutional amendment aimed to shift the election of senators from state legislatures to the electorate, reflecting a growing demand for greater democratic participation in the political process. Although the measure passed in the House of Representatives, it did not advance in the Senate, highlighting the challenges faced by reform efforts during that period. The idea of direct election of senators would eventually gain traction and be ratified as the Seventeenth Amendment in 1913, underscoring the long-term impact of Bushnell's advocacy.

Throughout his congressional tenure, Bushnell's legislative activities were informed by his earlier experiences in local and state government, as well as his legal background. His involvement in the Wisconsin State Assembly and as mayor of Lancaster provided him with insights into the needs and concerns of his constituents, which he sought to address during his time in Congress.

After leaving office, Bushnell returned to his legal practice in Madison and took on roles such as counsel and treasurer for the Wisconsin Life Insurance Company. He made one final bid for public office in 1906 when he ran for a position on the Wisconsin Supreme Court but was unsuccessful. Bushnell passed away on March 29, 1909, in Madison, Wisconsin, and was interred at Hillside Cemetery in Lancaster. His legacy includes his contributions to the legal and political landscape of Wisconsin, as well as his participation in significant legislative efforts during a transformative period in American history.