William D. Bynum

Who was William D. Bynum?

William Dallas Bynum was a U.S. Representative from Indiana.

Bynum was born near Newberry, Indiana. Although he lived for some time in Washington D.C., he was a lifelong Hoosier. He was educated in the state's schools, graduated from Indiana University, studied and practiced law there, started his political career in Washington, Indiana, and, after his service in the other Washington, returned to Indiana. There, he lived out the remainder of his days.

After graduation from Indiana University in 1869, Bynum studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1872, hung out a shingle, and set up practice in Washington, Indiana.

He was the town's first City Clerk. He was City Attorney from 1871 until 1875, and Mayor from 1876 until 1879.

In 1880, he moved from Daviess County to Indianapolis. He was a member of the Indiana House of Representatives from 1881 until 1885, serving as House Speaker in 1885.

Bynum was elected as a Democrat to the Forty-ninth and to the four succeeding Congresses. For part of that time he was House Minority Whip.

On May 17, 1890, Bynum was censured by the House of Representatives for the use of unparliamentary language.