William H. Hatten
William H. Hatten | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Wisconsin Senate from the 21st district | |
| In office January 2, 1899 – January 7, 1907 | |
| Preceded by | John Phillips |
| Succeeded by | Edward E. Browne |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 24, 1856 New Lisbon, New York, U.S. |
| Died | March 30, 1937 (aged 80) New London, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Resting place | Floral Hill Cemetery, New London, Wisconsin |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | none |
| Children | none |
| Occupation | Lumberman, politician |
William Henry Hatten (August 24, 1856 – March 30, 1937) was an American businessman and Republican politician from Outagamie County, Wisconsin. He served eight years as a member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing Wisconsin's 21st Senate district from 1899 to 1907. He came close to being elected United States senator in the 1907 special election, but was outmaneuvered in the Republican caucus by Isaac Stephenson. Later in life he was president of the board of trustees of Lawrence University.
In historical documents his last name is sometimes spelled "Hatton". As a young man, he sometimes was known as William Wooden, using the last name of his adopted parents. Hatten accumulated a fortune worth about $132 million adjusted for inflation to 2025; he was never married, had no known offspring, and left no will, so his estate was heavily contested by his biological and adopted siblings.