William E. Purcell

William Edward Purcell ( born August 3, 1856 in Flemington, New Jersey, † November 23, 1928 in Wahpeton, North Dakota ) was an American politician (Democratic Party), who represented the state of North Dakota in the U.S. Senate.

After the public school and studying law visit Purcell was admitted to the Bar of New Jersey in 1880 and began to practice in his hometown of Flemington. The following year he moved to Wahpeton Dakota Territory, where he continued to work as a lawyer.

In 1888, U.S. President Grover Cleveland appointed him United States Attorney for the Dakota Territory. Already in the following year, Purcell resigned after he had been elected a member of the Constitutional Convention for the new state of North Dakota. From 1889 to 1891 he was district attorney in Richland County; the Senate from North Dakota, he belonged to 1907-1909.

After the death of U.S. Senator Martin N. Johnson and the quick resignation of his successor Fountain L. Thompson William Purcell was appointed for the duration of the vacancy in the U.S. Senate. He was a member of the chamber of parliament from 1 February 1910 to February 1, 1911, applied unsuccessfully for the official mandate in the election. Purcell worked after leaving the Senate again as a lawyer. In 1917 he was appointed Chairman of the Food Conservation Commission.