Peter D. Wigginton

Peter Dinwiddie Wigginton (September 6, 1839 – July 7, 1890) was an American lawyer and politician who served as a U.S. representative from California during the 1870s.

Biography Born in Springfield, Illinois, Wigginton moved to Wisconsin with his parents in 1843. He completed preparatory studies and attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1859 and started his practice. He was editor of the Dodgeville (Wisconsin) Advocate. He moved to Snelling, California, in 1862, and continued the practice of law. He served as district attorney of Merced County 1864–1868.

Congress Wigginton was elected as a Democrat to the 44th Congress (March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1877). After apparently losing re-election in 1876 to Romualdo Pacheco, Wigginton successfully contested Pacheco's election to the 45th Congress and was seated in his place, serving out the term (February 7, 1878 – March 4, 1879). Wigginton did not seek re-nomination.

He settled in San Francisco in 1880 and resumed the practice of law. In 1886, Wigginton founded the American Party, a nativist third party. He would go on to be nominated by the party as its candidate for vice president in 1888.

Death He died in Oakland, California, July 7, 1890. He was interred in Mountain View Cemetery.

Electoral history