Biography

Attended Augusta College, studied law, and then admitted to the bar in 1831. After he moved to Quincy, IL, where he practiced law. Served in the Illinois Volunteers during the Black Hawk War 1832. Elected member of State senate from 1836-1843. Unsuccessful candidate for election as a Whig in 1843 to the 28th Congress, in 1850 to the 32nd Congress, and in 1852 to the 33rd Congress. Delegate to the anti-Nebraska convention held at Bloomington, IL, in May 1856, which laid the foundations of the Republican Party. Appointed as a Republican to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Stephen A. Douglas and served from June 26, 1861, to January 12, 1863, when a successor was elected. He was not a candidate for election in 1863. Chairman, Committee on Enrolled Bills (37th Congress), a position appointed by President Andrew Johnson as Secretary of the Interior 1866-1869, also discharging for a time the duties of Attorney General. Delegate to the State constitutional convention in 1869, after which he resumed the practice of law.