William A. Poynter, Governor

Nebraska Governor. Served as Governor of Nebraska from 1899 to 1901. (bio by: K)

Burial: Wyuka Cemetery Lincoln Lancaster County Nebraska, USA Plot: Lot: Sec-14 Lot-5166 Sp-11

William Amos Poynter (May 29, 1848 – April 5, 1909) was a Nebraska politician and the tenth Governor of Nebraska from 1899 to 1901, running under a fusion ticket between the Populist and the Democratic Party. He had previously also been elected to the former Nebraska State House of Representatives in 1885 and the State Senate in 1891.

Early life

Born in Eureka, Illinois, Poynter completed his college studies at Eureka College, graduating in 1867. He married Maria Josephine McCorkle in 1869, and the couple had two children: Josephine and Charles. Poynter worked as a merchant in Eureka, Illinois, for several years until relocating his family to Albion, Nebraska in 1879.

Career

Poynter worked as a rancher and a farmer in Boone County, Nebraska, and became active in politics. He helped organize the Farmers' Alliance and was elected to the Nebraska State Legislature in 1884. He was elected to the Nebraska State Senate and named President Pro Tempore of that body.

Poynter was nominated again in 1892, but he was defeated by Republican George D. Meiklejohn. He served as a member of the State Legislature for nearly two decades before being elected governor in 1898. Poynter served only one term as Governor, being defeated in 1900 by Charles H. Dietrich. When he retired from public life, he remained active in his own business affairs and was also President of the Security Savings and Loan Association.

Death

Poynter died suddenly while visiting then Governor Ashton C. Shallenberger. He is interred at Wyuka Cemetery, Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska USA.