US Senator. Born to a farming family in upstate New York, he went with his father to Milwaukee in 1846 after his mother's death. There he worked as a clerk, merchant and real estate dealer before becoming president of the city's Marine Bank. In 1863 he attempted to travel to Memphis, but this was prevented by a wartime blockade. Planning to return home through New Orleans, he was detained in Natchez, Mississippi, where he was persuaded to lease a large cotton plantation in Louisiana. He quickly became one of that state's largest planters. After the Civil War, he worked to organize freed slaves and teach them about their rights, choosing a moderate approach as a Republican. After serving as a delegate to the state constitutional convention, he became a state senator in June 1868, but just days later was nominated for a US Senate seat which had been vacant since 1861. Confirmed by the legislature, he served from July 8, 1868 to March 4, 1871, becoming the state's first Republican senator. In 1881 he was appointed surveyor general of Montana by President Chester Arthur. He died in Butte, Montana in 1906 at age 80.
US Senator. Born to a farming family in upstate New York, he went with his father to Milwaukee in 1846 after his mother's death. There he worked as a clerk, merchant and real estate dealer before becoming president of the city's Marine Bank. In 1863 he attempted to travel to Memphis, but this was prevented by a wartime blockade. Planning to return home through New Orleans, he was detained in Natchez, Mississippi, where he was persuaded to lease a large cotton plantation in Louisiana. He quickly became one of that state's largest planters. After the Civil War, he worked to organize freed slaves and teach them about their rights, choosing a moderate approach as a Republican. After serving as a delegate to the state constitutional convention, he became a state senator in June 1868, but just days later was nominated for a US Senate seat which had been vacant since 1861. Confirmed by the legislature, he served from July 8, 1868 to March 4, 1871, becoming the state's first Republican senator. In 1881 he was appointed surveyor general of Montana by President Chester Arthur. He died in Butte, Montana in 1906 at age 80.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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