Background
James Stephen Green was born on February 28, 1817, near Rectortown, Fauquier County, Virginia. He was the son of James S. and Frances Ann Green.
(This reproduction was printed from a digital file created...)
This reproduction was printed from a digital file created at the Library of Congress as part of an extensive scanning effort started with a generous donation from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. The Library is pleased to offer much of its public domain holdings free of charge online and at a modest price in this printed format. Seeing these older volumes from our collections rediscovered by new generations of readers renews our own passion for books and scholarship.
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(This reproduction was printed from a digital file created...)
This reproduction was printed from a digital file created at the Library of Congress as part of an extensive scanning effort started with a generous donation from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. The Library is pleased to offer much of its public domain holdings free of charge online and at a modest price in this printed format. Seeing these older volumes from our collections rediscovered by new generations of readers renews our own passion for books and scholarship.
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(This reproduction was printed from a digital file created...)
This reproduction was printed from a digital file created at the Library of Congress as part of an extensive scanning effort started with a generous donation from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. The Library is pleased to offer much of its public domain holdings free of charge online and at a modest price in this printed format. Seeing these older volumes from our collections rediscovered by new generations of readers renews our own passion for books and scholarship.
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James Stephen Green was born on February 28, 1817, near Rectortown, Fauquier County, Virginia. He was the son of James S. and Frances Ann Green.
After several years of operating the mill, Green augmented his common-school education as best he could, and read the law, he was in 1840 admitted to the bar.
At nineteen, Green accompanied his father and brothers to Alabama, but soon moved to Missouri, first to Ralls County and subsequently, about 1836, to Lewis County, where he and his brother Martin E. Green purchased a sawmill.
He opened an office in Monti- cello and, in partnership with his brother-in-law, Addison Reese, speedily built up a large and lucrative practice.
He entered politics early, under the auspices of Thomas H. Benton, demonstrating his remarkable power and adroitness as a stump speaker when the Democrats nominated him presidential elector on the Polk and Dallas ticket in 1844 and winning further prestige by his activities in the state constitutional convention of 1845.
He represented Missouri in the Thirtieth and Thirty-first Congresses, attracting notice by his forceful support of the Administration’s Mexican policy; and in 1848, served as counsel for his state in the Missouri-Iowa boundary controversy before the Supreme Court.
He did not offer himself for réélection in 1850, and in 1852 was defeated by his Whig opponent. President Pierce appointed him chargé d’affaires to Colombia, May 24, 1833, and on June 19, 1854, named him minister resident.
He never presented his credentials, however, having found the service uncongenial, but resigned, in August 1854, and, returning to Missouri, resumed the practice of law.
After a victorious campaign for Congress, 1856, in which he helped release the state from Know-Nothing' domination before he could take his seat the legislature elected him to succeed David R. Atchison in the United States Senate.
From the day of Lincoln’s inauguration, which terminated his public career, Green’s fortunes declined. Summarily arrested by Federal troops at the outbreak of the war, he was released on parole, July 5, 1861.
After a visit to Washington, he was captured by Confederate troops but was released in August 1862. A tendency to intemperance in drink now grew upon him and in a few years brought about his death.
(This reproduction was printed from a digital file created...)
(This reproduction was printed from a digital file created...)
(This reproduction was printed from a digital file created...)
As Green's experience widened, he opposed the Free-Soil school and planned, led, and prosecuted the revolt against his political mentor in 1849, which broke Benton’s hold upon Missouri Democracy and is still remembered as one of the most aggressive and successful of American political struggles.
He presented the majority report of the important committee on territories favoring the admission of Kansas as a state under the Lecompton constitution; later, when the acts organizing Colorado, Dakota, and Nevada as territories were passed by a unanimous Senate, with no introduction of the slavery issue, it was he who prepared and reported the bills.
Green was one opponent whom the belligerent Douglas most disliked to meet, and with reason: there were few who could approach him in the debate, his logic, careful preparation, readiness, repartee, and irony making him an exceedingly dangerous antagonist.
While seldom eloquent, his style was smooth and convincing; his manner courteous, but fearless and assured. His tall, spare figure, intellectual face, and clear voice lent him a commanding presence and appearance, not unlike those of Henry Clay, whom he was thought to resemble.
Quotes from others about the person
“No man among his contemporaries had made so profound an impression in so short a time, Green had peers, but no master, in the Senate. ” - James Blaine
While several years of operating the mill, Green married Elizabeth Reese. He married for his second wife, November 28, 1847, Mary Evans of Fayette, Missouri.