William Harrell Felton

Who was William Harrell Felton?

William Harrell Felton was an American politician, army surgeon, and Methodist minister. His wife was Rebecca Latimer Felton, who became the first woman to serve on the United States Senate, albeit only for one day.

Born on June 19, 1823, near Lexington, Georgia, Felton studied at the University of Georgia, Athens in 1843, and the Medical College of Georgia, Augusta in 1844. He spent the next seven years in Cartersville, Georgia practising medicine, teaching and farming. In 1851, he was elected as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives, representing Cass County. He was ordained as a Methodist minister in 1857, and served as a surgeon in the American Civil War.

From March 4, 1875, until March 3, 1881, Felton served as an Independent Democrat in the United States House of Representatives, although his attempt to be re-elected in 1880 was unsuccessful and he returned to his agricultural and ministerial work. He once again served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 1884-1890.

Felton died on September 24, 1909, and was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Washington, D.C.