Representative William Robinson Sapp

William Robinson Sapp (March 4, 1804 – January 3, 1875) was an American lawyer and politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Ohio. He represented Ohio’s 15th congressional district from 1853 to 1857, first as a Whig and then as an Opposition Party member.

Early Life and Career

Sapp was born at Cadiz, Ohio, on March 4, 1804. He moved to Knox County, where he attended the public schools. He engaged in the mercantile business in Danville before turning to the study of law. Sapp was admitted to the bar in 1833 and commenced practice at Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio, where he served as prosecuting attorney of Holmes County. He later moved to Mount Vernon, Knox County, in 1846, where he continued his legal practice.

Sapp was the uncle of William Fletcher Sapp, who also served as a United States Representative from Iowa.

Congressional Career

In 1852, Sapp was elected as a Whig to the Thirty-third Congress. He was re-elected as an Opposition Party candidate to the Thirty-fourth Congress, serving from March 4, 1853, to March 3, 1857. During his two terms in the House, he represented Ohio during a period of intense national debate over the expansion of slavery, the Kansas-Nebraska Act, and the collapse of the Whig Party system.

Sapp was an unsuccessful candidate for re-election to the Thirty-fifth Congress following his second term.

Later Life and Legacy

After leaving Congress, Sapp returned to Mount Vernon, Ohio, where he resumed the practice of law. He served as assessor of internal revenue for the thirteenth district from 1869 to 1872, and then as collector of internal revenue from 1872 until his death.

Sapp died in Mount Vernon, Knox County, Ohio, on January 3, 1875, at the age of 70. He was interred in Mound View Cemetery.