William K. Cessna was a Union Army officer, state legislator,[1] and judge in the United States. He served as an officer with a colored regiment from Pennsylvania during the American Civil War.[2] He served in Florida during the Civil War and settled there afterwards. He employed Josiah T. Walls in a lumber business.[3][4] A Republican,[5] he lived in Gainesville and served in the Florida House of Representatives for Alachua County in 1871 and 1872.[6]
The governor appointed him a judge. He gave testimony in a hearing about an election.[10] In 1874 he reported on agricultural conditions in Alachua County.[11]
He chaired the committee preparing articles of impeachment against Harrison Reed.[12]
1873 appointed Major and assistant quartermaster.[13] He was accused of corruption by Democrats disparaging of "Carpetbag Rule".[12] One account identified him as politically "rabid".[14] He served as Alachua County Schools superintendent.[15] Democrats filed accusations of corruption against him when he was in the legislature.[16]
He was the editor and publisher of the Social Visitor in Jacksonville.[18]
Cessna was also a farmer growing a variety of crops such as beans, tomatoes and strawberries that he sold not just to Florida but also much further north.[19][20]
He grew strawberries on several acres of land and was accused of selling them without paying tax on the sales.[20] He was the first vice-president of the Fruit Growers' Association.[21]
