Abram Wakeman facts for kids
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Abram Wakeman
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Wakeman circa 1862. Brady-Handy Collection, Library of Congress.
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 8th district |
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| In office March 4, 1855 – March 3, 1857 |
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| Preceded by | Francis B. Cutting |
| Succeeded by | Horace F. Clark |
| Surveyor of the Port of New York | |
| In office September 14, 1864 – March 29, 1869 |
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| Preceded by | Rufus F. Andrews |
| Succeeded by | Alonzo B. Cornell |
| Postmaster of New York City | |
| In office March 21, 1862 – September 18, 1864 |
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| Preceded by | William B. Taylor |
| Succeeded by | James Kelly |
| Member of the New York City Board of Aldermen from the 12th Ward | |
| In office 1854–1856 |
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| Preceded by | Wesley Smith |
| Succeeded by | David S. Jackson |
| Member of the New York State Assembly from the 4th District of New York County | |
| In office 1850–1852 |
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| Preceded by | George J. Cornell |
| Succeeded by | Theodore A. Ward |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 31, 1824 Greenfield Hill, Connecticut |
| Died | June 29, 1889 (aged 65) New York City, New York |
| Resting place | Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York |
| Political party | Whig (before 1855) Republican (after 1855) |
| Spouses | Mary E. Harwood (m. 1851–1883, her death) Katharine Horton Price (m. 1884–1889, his death) |
| Children | 4 |
| Occupation | Attorney Businessman |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States Union |
| Branch/service | Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Commands | 81st Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Abram Wakeman (May 31, 1824 – June 29, 1889) was an important lawyer, businessman, and politician from New York City. He played a key role in starting the Republican Party in the mid-1850s. Wakeman was also a strong supporter of the Union during the American Civil War. He is best known for serving as a U.S. Representative for New York.
Wakeman was born in Greenfield Hill, Connecticut. He studied hard and became a lawyer in 1847. He practiced law in New York City and also worked with several businesses. These included banks, railroads, and insurance companies.
He was a political friend of important leaders like William H. Seward. Wakeman started his political career with the Whig Party. He served in the New York State Assembly from 1850 to 1852. He was also a city Alderman from 1854 to 1856. In 1854, Wakeman was elected to Congress. He served one term, from 1855 to 1857.
Wakeman helped create the Republican Party in 1855. He was a delegate to the 1856 Republican National Convention. During the American Civil War, Wakeman strongly supported the Union. He helped with organization and money for the war effort. Because he supported President Abraham Lincoln, he received important government jobs. He was Postmaster of New York City from 1862 to 1864. Later, he became Surveyor of the Port of New York from 1864 to 1869.
In his later years, Wakeman helped develop Coney Island into a popular resort. He made a lot of money when he sold his part of the business. He passed away in New York City and was buried in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.
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Early Life and Education
Abram Wakeman was born in Greenfield Hill, Connecticut, on May 31, 1824. His parents were Jonathan and Clara Wakeman. He went to Fairfield Academy in Connecticut to prepare for college. He then graduated from Herkimer Academy in Little Falls, New York.
While studying law, he also taught school. He learned law with the firm of Capron & Lake in Little Falls. He finished his law studies with Horace Holden, a lawyer in New York City. Wakeman was allowed to practice law in 1847.
Starting His Career
After becoming a lawyer, Wakeman started working with Horace Holden. Later, he became a senior partner in his own law firm, Wakeman, Latting & Phelps. Edward John Phelps was a junior member of this firm.
Wakeman was also involved in many business projects. He was a director or leader in several banks, railroads, and insurance companies. He helped start the Irving Savings Institution. He was also a founder and director of the Hamilton Fire Insurance Company. He served as a director for the New York and Hempstead Plains Railroad. Later, he was a director for the New York, Bay Ridge and Jamaica Railroad.
Political Journey
In the early 1840s, Wakeman became active in politics as a Whig. He worked with important New York state Whig leaders. These included Thurlow Weed, William H. Seward, and Henry Jarvis Raymond.
He served in the New York State Assembly for New York County from 1850 to 1851. From 1854 to 1856, he was a member of the city's Board of Aldermen. Wakeman was elected to the 34th United States Congress as a Whig. He served from March 4, 1855, to March 3, 1857.
As the Whig Party declined, Wakeman helped create the new Republican Party. He ran for reelection to Congress in 1856 as a Republican but did not win. He also served as a delegate to the 1856 Republican National Convention.
During the Civil War
When the American Civil War began, Wakeman helped form the 81st Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment. He briefly became its commander with the rank of colonel. This honor was often given to people who helped raise and equip military units. Wakeman later resigned, and James Miller took over command.
Wakeman strongly supported the Union and President Abraham Lincoln. He was rewarded with important government jobs. He became Postmaster of New York City from March 21, 1862, to September 18, 1864. This was a very important job.
In 1863, Wakeman led the New York State convention for the National Union Party. This party was a mix of Republicans and pro-Union Democrats during the war. He was also a delegate to their national convention in 1864. During the New York City draft riots in 1863, a crowd broke into Wakeman's home. They stole his belongings and burned his house down. This happened because he was a well-known federal official.
During the 1864 United States presidential election, some people wanted peace with the Confederacy. President Lincoln asked Wakeman to help persuade newspapers to support his reelection. Wakeman was partly successful with the New York Herald. The Herald usually supported Democrats. However, for the 1864 election, it did not endorse any candidate for president. Wakeman also shared important political information about New York with Lincoln.
Wakeman was also friends with Mary Todd Lincoln, the President's wife. They often wrote letters to each other. When Mary Lincoln had large debts from shopping, Wakeman helped her manage them. In 1864, Wakeman was appointed Surveyor of the Port of New York. This was another important and well-paying job. He served in this role until 1869.
In 1867, Mary Lincoln tried to sell some of her personal items to pay her debts. This event became known as the "Old Clothes Scandal." She tried to get Wakeman's help. After he visited her, she changed some of her public comments. The auction did not go well. However, in 1871, Congress gave her a yearly pension.
Later Career
In his later years, Abram Wakeman was a main developer of Coney Island. He helped turn it into a popular resort and amusement area. He made a lot of money in the late 1870s. He sold his share of Coney Island to a group of investors led by Austin Corbin.
Death and Burial
Wakeman passed away in New York City on June 29, 1889. He was buried at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.
Family
In 1851, Wakeman married Mary E. Harwood (1825–1883). She was from Ridgeway, New York. Her parents were Cyrus and Mary (Lee) Harwood. She was also the niece of William Little Lee. After Mary's death, Wakeman married Katharine Horton Price in 1884.
With his first wife, Mary, Wakeman had four children: Harwood, Abram, Mary C., and Rosamond. With his second wife, Katharine, he became the stepfather of Kate Billings Noel.
His son, Dr. Harwood Wakeman, died in August 1879. He drowned while swimming in Blue Mountain Lake, New York.
In March 1883, Mary E. Wakeman and her daughter Rosamund died in a house fire. Rosamund helped her mother's nurse escape the burning building. Mary Wakeman was ill and had trouble moving. Rosamund went back to help her mother. Sadly, both were overcome by smoke and could not escape.
See Also
- List of United States Congress members from New York
