Hiram Barney facts for kids
Hiram Barney (born May 30, 1811 – died May 18, 1895) was an important American lawyer and politician. He was also an abolitionist, meaning he worked to end slavery. During the time of President Abraham Lincoln, Hiram Barney held a big job as the Collector of the Port of New York from 1861 to 1864. This role was very important for trade and money coming into the country.
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Hiram Barney's Early Life and Education
Hiram Barney was born on May 30, 1811, in a town called Henderson, New York. This town is in Jefferson County, New York. He went to college at Union College in Schenectady, New York. He finished his studies there in 1834.
Barney's Career as a Lawyer and Activist
In 1830, Hiram Barney became a leader in the Young Men's Anti-Slavery Society in New York City. This group worked to end slavery in the United States. He worked with other famous abolitionists like John Jay and Theodore Dwight Weld.
After college, Barney became a lawyer. He joined a law office in 1836 and later became a partner. In 1840, he started a new law firm with William Mitchell. This firm grew over the years and is known today as Kelley Drye & Warren LLP. Later, in 1849, he worked with Benjamin Franklin Butler and his son.
Hiram Barney's Political Journey
Hiram Barney was very active in politics, especially in parties that opposed slavery.
- In 1840, the Anti-Slavery Party nominated him to run for the United States Congress.
- When the Free Soil Party was created in 1848, he was chosen as a presidential elector. This meant he would vote for the president on behalf of his state.
- He was a delegate at the Republican National Convention in 1856. At this meeting, the Republican Party chose John C. Frémont as their candidate for president. Barney, however, voted for Charles Sumner.
- In 1860, he attended another Republican National Convention in Chicago, Illinois.
After the 1860 convention, Barney met with Abraham Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois. Barney helped Lincoln by raising $35,000 in New York. This money was sent to Lincoln's campaign committee in Illinois.
Lincoln later asked Barney for advice on who should be in his Cabinet, which is a group of top advisors. Barney wrote down his suggestions for Lincoln. Even though Lincoln chose some different people, Barney was still a trusted advisor.
Hiram Barney served as the Collector of the Port of New York for the first three years of President Lincoln's time in office. This was a very important job, overseeing all the goods and money that came through New York's busy port. He later resigned from this position and chose not to take a job in another country.
Hiram Barney's Family Life
Hiram Barney was married twice. His first wife was Susannah Tappan. She was the daughter of Lewis Tappan, another well-known abolitionist. Hiram and Susannah had six children together. One of their sons, Lewis Tappan Barney, became a highly respected officer during the American Civil War.
Hiram Barney married his second wife, Harriet E. Kilburne, in 1880. He passed away in 1895 at the age of 84 in Spuyten Duyvil, after being sick for a long time.
