Son of farmer, becomes a successful businessman, lumber merchant, before law, militia service, local politics, US House ’53-55 as Democrat, opposes Kansas-Nebraska Act, back in House ’57-63 as Republican, later Gov of NY ’65-68 and US Senator ’69-75, a “trimmer” rather than shaker and mover.
Daniel Dickinson (1800-1866)
James Brooks (1810-1873)
Henry Seward (1801-1872)
Hamilton Fish (1808-1893)
Famous father, Union College, lawyer, secretary to Henry and editor of Weed’s Albany Evening Journal ’49-57, serves as Asst Sec of State ’61-69, assassin Lewis Powell knock him unconscious during attack on his father, post war as writer, state politics, law.
Upstate NY, Union College, lawyer, postmaster and newspaper publisher, state assembly then US House ’43-47 as Dem, “Barnburner faction” who favors Van Buren, pushes Wilmot Proviso to prohibit slavery in Mexican War lands, Free Soil then Republican, US Senate ’57-63, backs Johnson for VP and he names him to Port of NY job post war. Obesity and suicide.
Photography Book
Fred Seward (1830-1915)
William Marcy (1786-1857)
Begins career as grocer in Conn, very wealthy broker and banker in NY, supports Wilmot Proviso, state senate ’50-53, Chairman of National Republican Party ’56-64, Lincoln backer, Guv of NY ’59-62, named General of NY Militia ’62 (not in field), lukewarm on Emancipation, US Senator ’63-69, philanthropist, major influencer behind the scenes in 1860’s.
Daniel Sickles (1819-1914)
Named after Federalist Alexander Hamilton, he enters the law after graduating from Columbia. One term in House as Whig. Gov of NY in 1849 then US Senator ’51-57. Opposes Kansas-Nebrasja Act, joins Republicans as moderate & supports war effort. Good record as Sec of State under US Grant 1869-77.
Son of Rev War General, Columbia U, secretary for uncle George C who is first NY Gov ’77-95, politics as Dem-Rep, US Senate ’02-03, NYC Mayor ’03-15, loses to Madison in 1812 Presidential race as Federalist, leads Erie Canal project from 1810 to completion in 1824, this insures NYC role as center of capitalism in US, twice Gov of NY between 1817-28, focus on public schools and treatment of criminals, free-mason, dies in debt.
Son of merchant and politician, law, but focus on family business and politics, asst to Gov Marcy ’33, Mayor of Utica, speaker of state assembly, “Hunker” faction when NY Dems split ’40 (anti-VB and avoiding anti-slavery momentum), backs Cass and popsov ’48, Gov of NY ’53-54, loses reelection bid after Pierce administration backs unpopular Kansas-Nebraska act, backs Douglas ’60 despite calls for him to run, backs the Crittendon attempt to avoid secession, moderate in war, anti-Emancipation, re-elected Gov ’63-64, vs. draft, pro-hard money, loses to Fenton ’64, backs moderates on reconstruction vs. Radical Republicans.
Leading member of the “Albany Regency” who says “to the victor belongs the spoils.” After US Senate, becomes Gov. of NY (1833-39), then War Sec under Polk and Sec of State under Pierce. Expansionist, he acquires more Mexican land with 1853 Gadsden Treaty & embarrassed in 1854 when Ostend Manifesto to take Cuba by force if need be becomes public.
Preston King (1806-1865)
New York congressman remembered mainly for being captured by Confederates while watching the First Battle of Bull Run. He is held for six months in Libby Prison before being exchanged for Charles Faulkner, later CSA Minister to France.
Northeastern States (Continued)
Father a patent lawyer and politician, learns printers trade, NYU, studies law under Ben Butler, NY leg. ’47, Pierce sends him to UK delegation ’53, US House as Dem ’57-61, kills son of Francis Scott Key ’59 for affair with wife, Stanton pleads insanity and acquitted, repairs image by recruiting “Excelsior Brigade” as Col then Brigadier, most famous “Political General,” loses leg at Gettysburg after disastrous unilateral change of position on July 2, avoids court-marshal, attacks Meade, Minister to Spain ’69-74 under Grant, civil service jobs, US House ’93-95, leads Getty battlefield preservation, live to age 94, buried at Arlington.
Edwin D. Morgan (1811-1883)
Dewitt Clinton (1769-1828)
Wealthy dry goods merchant, enters NYC politics opposing Weed and Seward. Free Soiler who supports Chase, then a Republican. Defeats Fernando Wood for Mayor in 1861, strong support for war and helps suppress 1863 Draft Riots in NYC.
Reuben Fenton (1819-1885)
Prominent NY trial lawyer who helped overthrow Boss Tweed and served as counsel to Jefferson Davis during his treason trial.
Colby College, then founds New York Daily Express in 1836, follows Horace Greeley into US House ’49-53 & post-war.
Horatio Seymour (1810-1886)
Roscoe Conkling (1829-1888)
George Opdycke (1805-1880)
Politicians/Diplomats
Modest start, apprenticed to clothier, surveying, law, state legislature, Lt. Guv, US Senator ’44-51 as Dem, finance and mfr committees, leader of NY “Hards” opposing “Barnburners” (Free-Soilers who support Van Buren), favors Breckinridge (not Douglas) at ’60 convention, but still pro-Union and a “War Dem” who opposes Dem Copperheads early peace wing. Supports Lincoln.
Father a doctor, businessman and slave owner in NY, young “Harry” is a slight redhead, sickly and studious, Union College interrupted by 6 months in South and anti- slavery feelings, lawyer but loves politics, link to Thurlow Weed, elected to state leg. as Anti-MasonJQ Adams guidance, loses Guv bid as Whig ’34, Panic of 1837 opens next door, elected Guv ’39-42, focus on education/infrastructure/prisons/anti-slavery, defends two blacks accused of murder, backs Clay, anti-Mexican War, eye on Presidency, he and Weed accused of “running” Z. Taylor admin ’49, elected to US Senate ’49-61, famous “higher law” floor speech rejecting 1850 Compromise and Fugitive Slave Act, helps form Republican Party, but alienates backers over patronage and southern concessions, loses on third nomination ballot to Lincoln, accepts Sec of State job, hoping to run show, offers ideas to avoid secession, but these fail, becomes loyal to Lincoln, escapes assassination attempt that kill L, clever at diplomacy with UK, France (over Mexico), foreign trade, acquisition of Alaska, dies 3 yrs after retiring.
Charles O'Conor (1804-1884)
NY, body-builder & bodyguard for Thad Stevens, US House at start of Civil War, then 3-time Senator, strong supporter of AL and the war, confirmed to US Supreme Court but then declines.
New York-- Statehood Granted: July 26, 1788 State Motto: Excelsior (Ever Upward)
Alfred Ely (1815-1892)