Background
Fessenden, William Pitt was born on October 16, 1806 in Boscawen, New Hampshire, United States. Son of SaSmSuel and Ruth (Greene) Fessenden.
Financier lawyer secretary senator
Fessenden, William Pitt was born on October 16, 1806 in Boscawen, New Hampshire, United States. Son of SaSmSuel and Ruth (Greene) Fessenden.
Grad Bowdoin College, 1823, honorary Doctor of Laws, 1858.
Admitted to Maine bar, 1827. Member Maine Legislature (elected on Anti-Jackson ticket), 1831, again in 1839, 1845-1846, 53-54. Accompanied Daniel Webster on tour western states, 1837.
Member United States House of Representatives from Maine, 27th Congress, 1840-1842. An active organizer new Republican Party, active in Whig Party councils. Member United States Senate from Maine (elected by anti-slavery combination in legislature), February 3, 1854-1864, 65-69, gave outstanding 1st speech in opposition to Kan.Neb.
Bill, March 3, 1854, member finance committee, 1857, 61. Leader opposition to Buchanan administration, 1857, gave a speech on the evils of irredeemable paper and dangers of inflation, recognized need for drastic taxing program. Became United States secretary treasury, June 29, 1864.
1 of North’s most important leaders during Civil War, majority leader in Senate, chairman joint commission on reconstruction (report best statement defending Congressional reconstruction), 1865. Voted “not guilty” in Johnson’s impeachment proceedings. Member governing bds.
Member Maine Legislature (elected on Anti-Jackson ticket), 1831, again in 1839, 1845-1846, 53-54. Member United States House of Representatives from Maine, 27th Congress, 1840-1842. Member United States Senate from Maine (elected by anti-slavery combination in legislature), February 3, 1854-1864, 65-69, gave outstanding 1st speech in opposition to Kan.Neb.
Bill, March 3, 1854. Member governing bds. Bowdoin College, 1843-1869.
Married Ellen Deering, April.