Schuyler Colfax Jr., 17th Vice President

Schuyler Colfax Jr., 17th Vice President

Schuyler Colfax Jr. (March 23, 1823 - January 13, 1885) was an American journalist, businessman, and politician from Indiana. He served as a US Representative (1855-69), Speaker of the House of Representatives (1863-69), and the 17th Vice President (1869-73). Colfax was known for his opposition to slavery while serving in Congress, and was a founder of the Republican Party. After winning the presidential election of 1868, Grant and Colfax, were the youngest Presidential ticket elected in the 19th Century. Believing Grant would only serve one term, Colfax attempted unsuccessfully to garner support for the 1872 presidential nomination. Grant ran again, and Colfax reversed himself and attempted to win the vice presidential nomination, but was defeated by Henry Wilson. An 1873 Congressional investigation into the Crédit Mobilier scandal named Colfax as one of the members of Congress who were offered payments of cash and discounted stock from the Union Pacific Railroad in exchange for favorable action during the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad. He left the vice presidency at the end of his term in 1873 and never again ran for office. Afterwards he worked as a business executive and became a popular lecturer and speech maker. He died in 1885 at the age of 61.

black & white • History: Personalities

Album / Science Source / New York Public Library

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