Champion S. Chase facts for kids
Champion Spalding Chase (born March 20, 1820 – died November 3, 1898) was an important American politician. He was the very first Attorney General of Nebraska. He also served as the Mayor of Omaha, Nebraska, for seven years. Before moving to Nebraska, he was a state senator in Wisconsin. During the American Civil War, he was an officer in the Union Army.
Quick facts for kids
Champion Spalding Chase
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| 1st Attorney General of Nebraska | |
| In office February 21, 1867 – January 7, 1869 |
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| Governor | David Butler |
| Preceded by | Position Established |
| Succeeded by | Seth Robinson |
| 17th, 19th, and 20th Mayor of Omaha | |
| In office April 10, 1883 – June 30, 1884 |
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| Preceded by | James E. Boyd |
| Succeeded by | Patrick F. Murphy |
| In office April 7, 1879 – April 12, 1881 |
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| Preceded by | Reuben H. Wilbur |
| Succeeded by | James E. Boyd |
| In office April 13, 1874 – April 9, 1877 |
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| Preceded by | James S. Gibson |
| Succeeded by | Reuben H. Wilbur |
| Member of the Wisconsin Senate from the 7th district |
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| In office January 14, 1857 – January 12, 1859 |
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| Preceded by | Charles Clement |
| Succeeded by | Nicholas D. Fratt |
| District Attorney of Racine County | |
| In office January 1, 1858 – January 1, 1860 |
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| Preceded by | William P. Lyon |
| Succeeded by | N. H. Dale |
| President of the Board of Education of Racine, Wisconsin | |
| In office 1859–1860 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Champion Spalding Chase
March 20, 1820 Cornish, New Hampshire, U.S. |
| Died | November 3, 1899 (aged 79) Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Resting place | Prospect Hills Cemetery Omaha, Nebraska |
| Spouse |
Mary Sophronia Butterfield
(m. 1849; died 1882) |
| Children | Champion Clement Chase (b. 1860; died 1922) |
| Parents |
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| Relatives |
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| Profession | lawyer and politician |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States ArmyUnion Army |
| Rank |  Major Brevet Lt. Colonel |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Contents
Early Life and Education
Champion Spalding Chase was born on March 20, 1820, in Cornish, New Hampshire. His father was Clement Chase and his mother was Olive Spalding. He was named after his grandfather, Champion Spalding.
He grew up on his father's farm in Cornish. As a teenager, he started teaching during the winter months. In 1840, he moved to New York to continue his teaching career.
Teaching and Law Studies
From 1841 to 1842, Chase taught at the Academy in Amsterdam, New York. By 1843, he became the vice principal of the West Hartwick Seminary in Otsego County. He lived in New York until the late 1840s. During this time, he also studied law in Buffalo.
In 1848, he became a lawyer in Canandaigua, New York. The next year, in 1849, he moved to Racine, Wisconsin.
Public Service in Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, Champion Chase quickly became involved in politics. In 1856, he attended the first Republican National Convention. He was part of the Wisconsin group. This convention chose John C. Frémont as the Republican candidate for president.
That same year, Chase was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate. He served a two-year term representing Racine County.
Important Roles in Wisconsin
During his second year in the Senate, he led the judiciary committee. This committee was in charge of updating the state's laws. In 1859, he was elected as the Prosecuting Attorney for his judicial district.
Also in 1859, he became the President of the Board of Education for Racine. This meant he helped lead the city's schools. Governor Alexander Randall also made him a Brigadier General in the Wisconsin State Militia.
Service in the Civil War
In 1862, the American Civil War was happening. Champion Chase's cousin, Salmon P. Chase, was the U.S. Treasury Secretary. With his cousin's help, Champion Chase was appointed as a paymaster in the Union Army. He held the rank of Major.
He served in the Union Army for four years. During this time, he worked in the West and Southwest. He was present at important battles and sieges. These included the sieges of Knoxville, Mobile, and Vicksburg.
Military Achievements
Later in the war, he was based in New Orleans for almost two years. In 1865, President Andrew Johnson promoted him. He received the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel for his excellent service. This was for his work in the Gulf Campaign. He was honorably discharged from the army in January 1866.
Life and Leadership in Nebraska
After leaving the army in 1866, Chase moved to Omaha, Nebraska. At that time, Nebraska was still a territory. He started his law practice again. He also invested in the Omaha Street Railway Co., a company that built streetcar lines.
In 1867, Nebraska became the 37th state in the United States. In the state's first election, Champion Chase was elected. He became the very first Attorney General of Nebraska. He served a two-year term in this important role.
University and Mayoral Roles
In 1869, Governor David Butler appointed him to a six-year term. He became a regent for the State University of Nebraska. This meant he helped guide the university.
Chase was elected Mayor of Omaha in 1874. He had tried to become mayor before but didn't win. He was re-elected in 1875 for a two-year term. This was the first time the mayor's term was changed from one year to two years. He was elected two more times, in 1879 and 1883.
During his last term, his health declined. This led to his early removal from office in June 1884. His wife, Mary, had passed away from cancer in 1882. Many believed this contributed to his health issues. Later, in 1887, he challenged his removal in court. The jury agreed with him, which brought him some peace.
Contributions as Mayor
As Mayor, Champion Chase supported many public improvements. He wanted to build more parks and boulevards. He also favored new water systems for the city.
He hosted many important people during his time as mayor. These included King Kalākaua of Hawai'i and Emperor Peter II of Brazil. He also welcomed U.S. Presidents and their wives, like Rutherford B. Hayes and Ulysses S. Grant. Famous generals like William Tecumseh Sherman and George Armstrong Custer also visited.
Other Community Involvement
Champion Chase was active in many community groups. In 1871, he was elected Grand Senior Warden in the Nebraska Commandary of Knights Templar. In 1886, he became the president of the Nebraska State Humane Society. This group helps animals.
He was also a past commander of the U.S. Grant Post of the Grand Army of the Republic. He was also part of the Sons of the American Revolution. In 1891, he helped start the Omaha Real Estate Owner's Association. He was also chosen to lead the International Pan-Republic Congress. Before he died, he was the Collector of Customs for the Port of Omaha.
Family Life
After moving to Racine in 1849, Champion Chase married Mary Sophronia Butterfield. They had one son, Champion Clement Chase, born in 1860. Their son later became a well-known newspaper publisher in Omaha.
Mary Chase passed away from cancer in 1882 in Omaha. Champion Chase died on November 3, 1898, at age 78, after a fall. He was buried next to his wife at Prospect Hills Cemetery in Omaha, Nebraska.
Legacy
Champion Spalding Chase is remembered in Nebraska. Chase County, Nebraska, and the small town of Champion in Chase County are named after him. This was done by the Nebraska Legislature to honor his contributions.
Images for kids
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Rank insignia for a Major in the Union Army
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Rank insignia for a Lieutenant Colonel in the Union Army
