Biography of Wilkinson Call, Jacksonville, Duval Co., FL

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Barbara Walker Winge,
barbarawinge@yahoo.com

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WILKINSON CALL, UNITED STATES SENATOR FROM FLORIDA

     Wilkinson Call's election to the United States Senate from Florida marked the
change from a Republican to a Democratic representation from that State.  He was
born at Russellville, Logan county, in the State of Kentucky, January 09, 1834.  His
native place, a village of nearly two thousand inhabitants, twenty-nine miles from
Bowling Green, is the seat of Logan Female College, and the Baptist Bethel College.
But young Call had no intention of settling down in the routine of business which
made up the uneventful history of Russellville.  Although unable to avail himself of
the advantages of a liberal education, he embraced the means of culture within his
reach and determined to prepare himself for a wide field of activity.  He began the
study of law, and after that usual preparatory course was admitted to the Bar.
     Florida became his home, and his life was identified with the interests of his
adopted State, and he was intensely devoted to the political views of the South.
Mr. Call was fortunate to the selection of Jacksonville for his place of residence,
now the most populous city of the State, situated on the banks of St. John's river,
twenty miles from its mouth.  He has been associated with the very remarkable growth
of that comparatively quiet place of his professional success since the time he
began to practice there...
     At the close of the civil conflict, he was elected United States Senator, but
in the unsettled conditions of restoration to forfeited priviledges under the
general government he was not permitted to take his seat.   In 1878, the Democratic
party came into power, and on March 18, 1879, he successed the Honorable Simon B.
Conover, Republician, for the full senatorial term...
     Mr. Call will undoubtedly be further heard from on the floor of the Senate
touching his opinions, and in no uncertain sound.

Ref:  Headley, P. C., PUBLIC MEN OF TO-DAY, 1882, S. S. Scranton & Company,
Hartford, pp. 109-110.

[Contributed by Barbara Walker Winge, barbarawinge@yahoo.com]