William Freeman Vilas was born in the brick house at the head of the North Common in Chelsea on this day in 1840. His journey through life would be filled with accomplishment.

Vilas spent his first eleven years in Chelsea until his family moved to Wisconsin. He became a prominent Wisconsin lawyer. From 1885 until 1888, he served as postmaster general of the United States in the Cabinet of President Grover Cleveland.

Vilas later became Secretary of the Interior of the United States. Finally, Vilas represented Wisconsin as a Democrat in the United States Senate, and passed away in 1908.

Photo courtesy the Library of Congress.