William T. C. Wardwell

William Thomas Church Wardwell (September 20, 1835 – October 7, 1907) was an American politician. He was Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island from 1890 to 1891.

Wardwell is the son of Hezekiah Church and Sallie (Gifford) Wardwell. Growing up he attended public schools. He graduated from high school in 1848. He first profession was that of a jeweler with Sackett, Davis & Potter of Providence, from 1853 to 1856. He traveled for some time in Cuba and in New York City before returning to Bristol in 1859.

When he returned to Bristol in 1859, together with his brother, he took control of his father's business in the timber industry. In 1872, he paid off his brother for his stake in the company and became the sole owner. He continued the timber business until 1894.^[1]

In September 1847, he married Lenora Frances Gladding.^[2]

Wardwell also had experience in other industries. He worked in the vestry of St. Michael's Church in Bristol. He was president of the First National Bank of Bristol and a director of the Industrial Trust Company of Providence. He was a Freemasons and a member of the Sons of the American Revolution.^[1]

Politically, Wardwell was a member of the Democratic Party. In June 1876, he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in St. Louis. From 1890 to 1891 he was Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island under Governor John W. Davis. He was deputy governor and chairman of the state senate.

He had also been a Representative and Senator in the General Assembly from Bristol. In 1893, he ran unsuccessfully for the office of governor. He died on October 7th, 1907 at the age of 72 and was buried in his hometown of Bristol.