54 Facts About Schuyler Colfax

Schuyler Colfax was an American journalist, businessman, and politician who served as the 17th vice president of the United States from 1869 to 1873, and prior to that as the 25th speaker of the House of Representatives from 1863 to 1869.

When Grant announced that he would run again, Schuyler Colfax reversed himself and attempted to win the vice-presidential nomination, but it was given to Henry Wilson.

Schuyler Colfax left the vice presidency at the end of his term in March 1873, and never again ran for office.

Schuyler Colfax suffered a heart attack and died at a railroad station in Mankato, Minnesota, on January 13,1885, while en route to a speaking engagement in Iowa.

Schuyler Colfax is one of only two persons to have served as both speaker of the House and vice president, the other being John Nance Garner.

Schuyler Colfax was born in New York City on March 23,1823, the son of Schuyler Colfax Sr.

William Schuyler Colfax became a general in the New Jersey Militia after the Revolution and commanded a brigade during the War of 1812.

Schuyler Colfax appointed Colfax as his deputy, a post that Colfax held throughout the eight years Matthews was in office.

In 1842, Colfax became the editor of the pro-Whig South Bend Free Press, owned by John D Defrees.

When Defrees moved to Indianapolis the following year and purchased the Indiana Journal, he hired Schuyler Colfax to cover the Indiana Senate for the Journal.

In 1845, Schuyler Colfax purchased the South Bend Free Press and changed its name to the St Joseph Valley Register.

Schuyler Colfax owned the Register for nine years, at first in support of the Whigs, then shifting to the newly established Republican Party.

In 1843, several South Bend residents formed a debating society in which members researched and discussed current events and other topics of interest, and Schuyler Colfax became a prominent member.

Schuyler Colfax was the 1851 Whig nominee for Congress in the district which included South Bend, but narrowly lost to his Democratic opponent, primarily because he voted against a measure at the constitutional convention that stopped free African Americans from moving to Indiana.

In 1852, Schuyler Colfax was a delegate to the Whig National Convention and was selected to serve as a convention secretary.

Schuyler Colfax supported Winfield Scott for president, and after Scott was nominated, Colfax took an active part in the campaign, both through making speeches and authoring and distributing newspaper articles and editorials.

Schuyler Colfax won and was reelected six times, and he represented Indiana's 9th congressional district from March 4,1855, to March 3,1869.

In 1855 Schuyler Colfax considered joining the Know Nothing Party because of the antislavery plank in its platform.

Schuyler Colfax had mixed feelings about the party and later denied being a member.

Schuyler Colfax was identified with the Radical Republicans in Congress, and was an energetic opponent of slavery.

Schuyler Colfax believed Fremont had 20,000 troops under his command in St Louis.

Schuyler Colfax suggested that Fremont reply that he could not spare any troops or Missouri would be lost to the Confederacy.

Schuyler Colfax faced a difficult reelection campaign in 1862 due to strong antiwar sentiments in Indiana, but won a narrow victory over Democrat David Turpie.

Schuyler Colfax then cast the final vote in favor of the amendment to much applause from its supporters in the House.

Schuyler Colfax said he was firmly against allowing those who participated in the Confederate rebellion to be reinstated in office and control Republican Reconstruction policy.

Schuyler Colfax affirmed that he was not in any way for repudiating the debt caused by the Confederate rebellion.

Schuyler Colfax said Congressional reconstruction would give security and peace to the nation as opposed to President Johnson and his southern Democratic policies.

Schuyler Colfax favored Johnson's impeachment saying Johnson was recreant, a usurper, and was unfaithful in executing the Reconstruction laws of the land in granting a general amnesty to Southerners who had participated in the rebellion.

Schuyler Colfax told Republicans who were tired of Reconstruction to leave the party and join the Democrats.

Schuyler Colfax was selected for vice president on the fifth ballot.

Schuyler Colfax was popular among Republicans for his friendly character, party loyalty, and Radical views on Reconstruction.

On March 3,1869, the final full day of the 40th Congress, Schuyler Colfax, who was to be sworn into office as vice president the next day, resigned as speaker.

Schuyler Colfax was inaugurated March 4,1869, and served until March 4,1873.

On Friday, January 6,1871, from Washington, DC, in a letter published in the New York Times, Schuyler Colfax recognized and rejoiced in King Victor Emmanuel II's victory of unifying Italy and setting up a new government in Rome.

Schuyler Colfax encouraged Italy to form a Republican government that protected religious freedom, regardless of faith, and the civil rights of all individuals, including those who lived in poverty.

In 1870, Schuyler Colfax announced he would not run for political office in 1872.

Schuyler Colfax's announcement failed to garner prominent support among Republicans for a presidential bid, as he had planned, while Grant decided to run for a second term.

Schuyler Colfax told his supporters that he would accept the nomination if it was given to him.

However, Schuyler Colfax's previously stated intent not to run in 1872 had created the possibility of a contested nomination, and Senator Henry Wilson defeated Schuyler Colfax by 399.5 delegates to 321.5.

In September 1872, during the presidential campaign, Schuyler Colfax's reputation was marred by a New York Sun article which indicated that he was involved in the Credit Mobilier scandal.

Schuyler Colfax was one of several Representatives and Senators, who were offered bribes of cash and discounted shares in the Union Pacific Railroad's Credit Mobilier subsidiary in 1868 from Congressman Oakes Ames for votes favorable to the Union Pacific during the building of the First transcontinental railroad.

Schuyler Colfax denied involvement to the press, and defended himself in person before a House investigative committee, testifying in January 1873 that he had never received a dividend check from Ames.

Schuyler Colfax had deposited $1,200 in his bank account at the same time Ames recorded that he had paid Schuyler Colfax $1,200.

Schuyler Colfax's most requested presentation was one on the life of Abraham Lincoln, whom the nation had begun to turn into an icon.

Schuyler Colfax had remained popular in his home area, and was often encouraged to run again for public office, but he always declined.

Five minutes after arriving, Schuyler Colfax died of a heart attack brought on by the extreme cold and exhaustion.

Schuyler Colfax was buried at City Cemetery in South Bend.

Schuyler Colfax was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

On September 20,1851, the IOOF approved the degree and Schuyler Colfax was credited as its author and founder.

In 1854 Schuyler Colfax was initiated into the Beta Theta Pi fraternity at DePauw University as an honorary member.

Schuyler Colfax never returned to seek political office in part because he believed that it was best to stay out of politics once leaving office, and in part because he was content with his life as a private citizen.

The ghost town of Schuyler Colfax, Colorado, was named after him, as was Schuyler Colfax County, New Mexico.

The Schuyler Colfax home was demolished and a Seventh Day Adventist church stands on the spot in 2019.

Raymond was in his early seventies when the film was made while Schuyler Colfax was in his early forties during the period depicted in the film.