Charles William Cathcart was a United States Representative and Senator from Indiana.
Background
He was born in Funchal, Madeira Island, Portugal where his father, James Leander Cathcart was the United States Consul. He travelled to Spain with his parents, attended private schools, and returned to the United States in 1819 and went to sea.
Career
He moved to Washington, District of Columbia in 1830, and was a clerk in the General Land Office. He moved to Indiana and was justice of the peace at New Durham Township in 1833. Cathcart was elected as a Democrat to the Twenty-ninth and Thirtieth Congresses, serving from March 4, 1845 to March 3, 1849.
He was appointed to the United States. Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of James Whitcomb and served from December 6, 1852, to January 18, 1853.
He was an unsuccessful candidate for election in 1860 to the Thirty-seventh Congress and engaged in agricultural pursuits. He died on his farm near Louisiana Porte in 1888.
Interment was in Pine Lake Cemetery.
Membership
He engaged in agricultural pursuits near Louisiana Porte in 1837, was a United States land surveyor, and was a member of the Indiana Senate from 1837-1840.