William Henry Stead (June 12, 1858 – April 13, 1918) was an American politician and lawyer.

William H. Stead was born on a farm near Marseilles, Illinois on June 12, 1858.

[1][2] He went to Central Normal College, in Ladoga, Indiana and DePauw University.

[2] He was chief counsel for Chicago and Rock Island Railway Company and also served as Director of the Illinois Department of Trade and Commerce.

[1] On April 13, 1918, Stead killed himself with a firearm in a hotel in Chicago.