Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 04.djvu/91

 FESSENDEN

FETTEROLF

graduated from Harvard in 1758: was pastor at AValpole, N.H., 1767-1813; and imblished: '-The Science of Sanctity '" (1804); and " The Boston Self-styled Gentlemen-Reviewers Reviewed" (1806). The sou was graduated from Dart- mouth, A.B., 1796, A.M., 1799. While an under- graduate he wrote "Jonathan's Coui'tship" wlucli attracted attention in America and was also pub- lished in England. He studied law and contrib- uted frequently to current literature. In 1801 he went to England and by a series of unfortu- nate investments became penniless. He returned to America in 1804 and engaged in journalism in Boston, Mass., and in New York city. In 1812 he removed to Bellows Falls, Vt., and practised law until 1815, when he accepted the editorship of the Brattleboro, Vt., Reporter. He returned to Bellows Falls in 1816 and edited the luteUiijencer there until 1823, when he founded in Boston, The JS'eio Euyland Farmer. His published works in- clude: Orif/iual Poems; Democracy Unreiled (1806); Pills, Poetical, Political and Philosophical, etc. (1809); American Clerk's Companion (1815); The Ladies' Monitor (1818); and Laws of Patents (1822). He died in Boston, Mass, Xov. 11, 1837.

FESSENDEN, William Pitt, senator, was born in Boscawen, N.H., Oct. 16, 1806; son of Gen. Samuel Fessenden. He was graduated at Bow- doin in 1823 and was admitted to the bar in 1827. He practised at Bridgton. Bangor and Portland, Maine, successively. He was a representative in the state legislature m 1832. 1840, 1845-46 and 1853, declined a nomination as repre- sentative in the 22d and 26th congi-esses, u -IS a delegate to the A\'hig national con- \ tintion of 1840, was a ^\■hig representative in the 27th congress, 1841-43. and at the close of his term re- sumed the practice of law. He was a delegate to the Whig national con- ventions of 1848 and 1852, was elected a U.S. senator as an anti-slavery Whig bj-a Democratic legislature in 1853, as successor to James Ware Bradbury, and was re-elected in 1859 and again in 1865. He opposed the Kansas-Nebraska bill in 18.54. spoke on the Clayton-Bulwer trejity in 18.56. denounced the Lecompton constitvition of Kansas in 1858 and severely criticised the ruling of the U.S. supreme court in the Dred Scott case. He was a member of the peace congress of 1861, was chairman of the finance committee in the senate

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U.S. S£/vtATE '

during the civil war and opposed the legal tender act. When Secretary Chase resigned the treasury portfolio in 1864, President Lincoln ai)poinled Senator Fessenden secretary of the U.S. treasury. He resigned his seat in the U.S. senate and the remainder of his term was filled out by the ap- pointment of Nathan Allen Farwell. On accept- ing his new office. Secretary Fessenden announced that no more greenbacks would be issued, and appealed to the people to take the seven-thirty loan devised by him and which proved popular. Gold, which when he was nominated as secretary was selling at 280, fell fir.st to 225 when he ac- cepted the portfolio, and then gradiially to 150 in March, 1865, when he resigned the treasurership to take his seat in the senate, to which he had been I'e-elected. He

was again made - 7:'" - '^ "''';

chairman of the. . ij

finance com- ■■.,.,., j

mittee, and also [''.;■', |

chairman of the joint commit- tee on recon- '"' struction, of::. the celebrated report of which he was the author. He opposed the impeachment of President Johnson in 1868, and voted " not guilty " upon the articles. This brouglit upon him the indignation of his party, who would not accept his reasons for the vote, and his great popularity at once waned. Public opinion, however, in later years, upheld his action. His last public service was rendered in 1869, when he advocated the payment of the pub- lic debt in gold and did much bj' his voice to strengthen the, public credit. He was marrietl in 1832 to Ellen Maria, daughter of James and Almira (Ilsley) Deering and granddaughter of Nathaniel and Dorcas (Milk) Deering. He had four sons: James Deering (1833-1882); William Hoivard (born May 5, 1835, died Sept. 21, 1898); Harvard law school, 1860. honorary A.M. from Bowdoin. 1865, lawyer in Portland. Maine, and in Riverside, Cal.; General Francis (bom in 1839); and Samuel (born Jan. 6, 1841), who was grad- uated from Bowdoin, 1861, became 1st lieutenant of the 2d Jlaine battery and acting aide to Brig. -Gen. Z B. Tower, was mortally wounded at 2d Bull Run. and died at Centreville, Va., Sept. 1, 1862. Senator Fessenden was a regent of the Smithsonian institution, received the hon- orarj' degree of LL. D from Bowdoin in 1858 and from Harvard in 1864, and was a tnistee of Bowdoin college, 1860-69. He died at Portland, Maine. Sept. 8. 1869.

FETTEROLF, Adam Herman, educator, was born in Upjier Providence township, Montgomery County, Pa.. Nov. 24, 1841; son of Gideon and