Nineteenth Century Political Party Photograph Collection
The Collections includes members of the political landscape during the 19th century from approximately 1850-1900. Many of the politicians shown are military generals, Senators, Supreme Court members, or other important Cabinet members from either the Johnson, Grant, or Hayes' administration. The Collection includes political members from the Whig party, Democratic party and Republican party. Many of the politicians played critical roles in either helping or stopping the progress in Reconstruction and made other important social and economic decisions. Also included is a photo of the Electoral Commission of 1877 and the 1862-1863 Supreme Court.
Ward, Elijah
Elijah Ward was a U.S. Congressman during the American Civil War and the Reconstruction era. Ward was born in Sing Sing, New York. He pursued classical studies, engaged in commercial pursuits in New York City and at the same time attended the law department of New York University. He was admitted to the bar in 1843 and commenced practice in New York City. He was judge advocate general of the State 1853-1855, and a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1856. He was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-fifth Congress , but was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1858. He was subsequently elected to the Thirty-seventh and Thirty-eighth Congresses, but again was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1864. He resumed the practice of law in New York City, and then was elected to the Forty-fourth Congress. He was chairman, Committee on Commerce (Forty-fourth Congress). Ward was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1876. He died in Roslyn, Nassau County, New York; interment was in Woodlawn Cemetery, New York City.
1877
Wheeler, William A.
William Almon Wheeler was born in Malone, New York, and attended Franklin Academy and the University of Vermont, although monetary concerns forced him to drop out without graduating. He was admitted to the bar in 1845, practiced law in Malone, and was District Attorney of Franklin County from 1846 to 1849. He was a member of the New York State Assembly (Franklin Co.) in 1850 and 1851; and of the New York State Senate (17th D.) in 1858 and 1859. He was elected as a Republican to the 37th United States Congress, holding office from March 4, 1861, to March 3, 1863. He was President of the New York State Constitutional Convention of 1867-68. He was elected to the 41st, 42nd, 43rd and 44th United States Congresses, holding office from March 4, 1869, to March 3, 1877. Wheeler was also President of the New York Northern Railroad. Wheeler was inaugurated as Vice President in March 4, 1877 and served until March 4, 1881. Since Wheeler was a recent widower, his wife having died three months before he took the oath of office, he was a frequent guest at the White House's alcohol-free luncheons. As Vice President, Wheeler presided over the Senate. According to Hayes, Wheeler "was one of the few Vice Presidents who were on cordial terms, intimate and friendly, with the President. Our family were heartily fond of him." Hayes had long announced that he would not run for a second term, and Wheeler was not mentioned for the 1880 Republican presidential nomination.
1877