William Thomas Marshall was an American lawyer, businessman, and Republican politician who represented Allegheny County in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1889 to 1902 and served as Speaker of the House in 1901–1902. He also worked in customs and the natural-gas industry and chaired the House Appropriations Committee.
Background
William Thomas Marshall was born on February 13, 1858, in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, in what was then Allegheny County. He was educated in the public schools of Allegheny County and began his working life in the retail grocery business in Allegheny City. In his early twenties he studied law in the office of Thomas M. Bayne and was admitted to the Allegheny County Bar in 1880. Marshall married Elizabeth Hunter; they had four children: Thomas B., Virginia, William T., and H. K. Boyer. He died in Butler, Pennsylvania, on October 22, 1944, and was buried in Evans City Cemetery in Evans City, Butler County.
Education
Marshall received his early education in the public schools of Allegheny County and attended the Western University of Pennsylvania, now the University of Pittsburgh. He subsequently studied law in the office of Thomas M. Bayne and was admitted to the Allegheny County Bar in 1880.
Career
Marshall began his professional life in the retail grocery business in Allegheny City. From 1881 to 1885 he served as a deputy collector of customs at the Port of Pittsburgh. In 1885 he joined the People's Natural Gas Company. He entered Pennsylvania public life during the following decade: after serving as a delegate to the Republican State Convention in 1887 and as building chairman of the Allegheny County Hospital, he became the first representative of Allegheny County's Second District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and was subsequently reelected for six consecutive terms, serving from 1889 through 1902. He chaired the House Appropriations Committee during 1893–1894 and was reelected to that chairmanship for three further consecutive terms. In 1901 he was elected Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, defeating William H. Koontz by a vote of 100 to 99. During his speakership he signed Act 228 of 1901, which restricted municipal taxation of religious and public property and established exemptions for public charities and nonprofit cemeteries, as well as Act 541 of 1901, which appropriated funds for electric lighting, electric heating, and related utility expenses in public buildings.
Achievements
Became the first person to represent the Second District of Allegheny County in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and was reelected for six consecutive terms.
Served as chairman of the Pennsylvania House Appropriations Committee from 1893–1894 and for three further consecutive terms.
Was elected Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1901 after defeating William H. Koontz by a vote of 100 to 99.
As Speaker, signed Pennsylvania Acts 228 and 541 of 1901 concerning tax exemptions for religious, public, charitable, and nonprofit cemetery property and appropriations for electric lighting and heating in public buildings.
Politics
Marshall was affiliated with the Republican Party and served as a delegate to the Republican State Convention in 1887.
Membership
Marshall was a delegate to the Republican State Convention in 1887 and participated in Republican legislative politics throughout his service in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He also served as building chairman of the Allegheny County Hospital.
Delegate to the Republican State Convention.
Republican State Convention
1887 - 1887
Connections
Marshall was married to Elizabeth Hunter. Their children were Thomas B., Virginia, William T., and H. K. Boyer.
Spouse:
Elizabeth Hunter Marshall
Marshall's wife.
child:
H. K. Boyer
Child of William Thomas Marshall and Elizabeth Hunter Marshall.
Son:
Thomas B. Marshall
Son of William Thomas Marshall and Elizabeth Hunter Marshall.
Daughter:
Virginia Marshall
Daughter of William Thomas Marshall and Elizabeth Hunter Marshall.
Son:
William T. Marshall
Son of William Thomas Marshall and Elizabeth Hunter Marshall.
