William D. Washburn
| William Drew Washburn | |
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United States Senator from Minnesota |
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In office March 4, 1889 – March 4, 1895 |
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| Preceded by | Dwight M. Sabin |
| Succeeded by | Knute Nelson |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Minnesota's 4th district |
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In office March 4, 1883 – March 3, 1885 |
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| Preceded by | District created |
| Succeeded by | John Gilfillan |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Minnesota's 3rd district |
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In office March 4, 1879 – March 3, 1883 |
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| Preceded by | Jacob H. Stewart |
| Succeeded by | Horace B. Strait |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
January 14, 1831 Livermore, Maine |
| Died | July 29, 1912 (aged 81) Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| Political party | Republican |
| Alma mater | Bowdoin College |
| Religion | Universalism |
William Drew "W.D." Washburn, Sr. (January 14, 1831 – July 29, 1912) was an American politician. He served in both the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate as a Republican from Minnesota. Three of his seven brothers became politicians: Elihu B. Washburne, Cadwallader C. Washburn, and Israel Washburn, Jr. He was also cousin of Dorilus Morrison, the first mayor of Minneapolis. He served in the 46th, 47th, 48th, 51st, 52nd, and 53rd congresses.
Washburn was born in Livermore, Maine. A graduate of Bowdoin College, he first studied law in the office of John A. Peters in Bangor, Maine before moving to Minneapolis, Minnesota around 1857. There he practiced law, and worked for the Minneapolis Milling Company (founded by his brother Cadwallader). His business ventures in lumber and flour milling allowed him to amass a large fortune, and by the 1880s, he was among the wealthiest men in Minnesota. Washburn served as the first president from 1883 to 1889 of what was to become Soo Line Railroad. He also founded the Pillsbury-Washburn Milling Company, which later became the Pillsbury Company, and was eventually absorbed by his brother's firm, General Mills.
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