United States Congressman. He served as a Republican representing the fifth District of California in the United State House of Representatives in the 51st to 56th Congress from 1891 to 1903. The son of Reuben Loud and Betsy Whiting, he left his New England home to go to sea as a young boy. He came to California at the age of thirteen years old. By the age of fifteen, he had enlisted in the California Naval Battalion. During the Civil War, he served as a young private under General Sheridan in the Army of the Potomac at Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. After the war, he returned to California to study law but never really entered practice, but instead, served in a position at the United States Custom Service along with being an estate broker and in various mercantile projects such as manager in shoe factory. In 1884 he served as a member of the California legislature. Afterward, he was a cashier and a tax collector for the city and county of San Francisco. He opponents were mainly the large newspapers and silver miners. Defeating Democratic candidate Thomas J. Clunie, he won his position in Congress by 52.7%. While in Congress, he introduced a bill, which was passed in the House of Representatives, to reform the United States Postal Service. He wanted to eliminate second-classed mailings, which included newspapers, thus making the post office thousands of dollars a year and being able to be independent of the federal government funding. His bill did not pass the United States Senate. In the spring of 1908, his only child Grace died; on December 6, 1908 his wife Mary Jane Maddox died; and less than two weeks later he died; his step-daughter Oda was made executive of his estate.
United States Congressman. He served as a Republican representing the fifth District of California in the United State House of Representatives in the 51st to 56th Congress from 1891 to 1903. The son of Reuben Loud and Betsy Whiting, he left his New England home to go to sea as a young boy. He came to California at the age of thirteen years old. By the age of fifteen, he had enlisted in the California Naval Battalion. During the Civil War, he served as a young private under General Sheridan in the Army of the Potomac at Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. After the war, he returned to California to study law but never really entered practice, but instead, served in a position at the United States Custom Service along with being an estate broker and in various mercantile projects such as manager in shoe factory. In 1884 he served as a member of the California legislature. Afterward, he was a cashier and a tax collector for the city and county of San Francisco. He opponents were mainly the large newspapers and silver miners. Defeating Democratic candidate Thomas J. Clunie, he won his position in Congress by 52.7%. While in Congress, he introduced a bill, which was passed in the House of Representatives, to reform the United States Postal Service. He wanted to eliminate second-classed mailings, which included newspapers, thus making the post office thousands of dollars a year and being able to be independent of the federal government funding. His bill did not pass the United States Senate. In the spring of 1908, his only child Grace died; on December 6, 1908 his wife Mary Jane Maddox died; and less than two weeks later he died; his step-daughter Oda was made executive of his estate.
Bio by: Linda Davis
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