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Henry J. Spooner

Henry Joshua Spooner was a United States Representative from Rhode Island. Born in Providence on August 6, 1839, he attended the public schools and graduated from Brown University in 1860. He studied law before entering the Union Army in 1862 as a second lieutenant in the Fourth Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry. During the war, he served in the Armies of the Potomac and the James, mostly in the Ninth Army Corps. Afterwards, he was admitted to the bar in 1865 and commenced practice in Providence.

Spooner was a member of the state house of representatives from 1875 to 1881, serving as speaker from 1879-1881. He was elected as a Republican to the 47th Congress to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Nelson W. Aldrich. Reelected to the 48th and to the three succeeding congresses, he served from December 5, 1881, to March 3, 1891.

In Congress, Spooner was chairman, Committee on Accounts (51st Congress) and an unsuccessful candidate for reelection to the 52nd Congress in 1890. He returned to the Rhode Island house of representatives in 1902, then resumed the practice of law in Providence. Spooner died in that city on February 9, 1918, and was buried in Swan Point Cemetery.