Daniel E. Somes
Encyclopedia
Daniel E. Somes was a United States Representative from Maine
. He was born in Meredith, New Hampshire
(now Laconia
) on May 20, 1815. He received an academic education, then moved to Biddeford, Maine
in 1846. He established the Eastern Journal, later known as the Union and Journal.
He engaged in the manufacture of loom harnesses, reed twine, and varnishes. He was elected Mayor of Biddeford 1855-1857, was president of the City Bank of Biddeford 1856-1858,and elected as a Republican
to the Thirty-sixth Congress (March 4, 1859-March 3, 1861). He was a member of the Peace Convention of 1861
held in Washington, D.C.
, in an effort to devise means to prevent the impending war.
He and his wife are mentioned in connection with the seances conducted and the home of Cranston Laurie, a leader of the Spiritualist movement in Washington during the war. According to others, he and his wife were present when both President and Mrs. Lincoln attended the seances.
He engaged in the practice of patent law until his death in that city on February 13, 1888. His interment was in Rock Creek Cemetery.
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
. He was born in Meredith, New Hampshire
Meredith, New Hampshire
Meredith is a town in Belknap County, New Hampshire, USA. The population was 6,241 at the 2010 census. Meredith is situated beside Lake Winnipesaukee. It is home to Stonedam Island Natural Area and the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad...
(now Laconia
Laconia, New Hampshire
As of the census of 2000, there were 16,411 people, 6,724 households, and 4,168 families residing in the city. The population density was 809.3 people per square mile . There were 8,554 housing units at an average density of 421.8 per square mile...
) on May 20, 1815. He received an academic education, then moved to Biddeford, Maine
Biddeford, Maine
Biddeford is a town in York County, Maine, United States. It is the largest town in the county, and is the sixth-largest in the state. It is the most southerly incorporated town in the state and the principal commercial center of York County. The population was 21,277 at the 2010 census...
in 1846. He established the Eastern Journal, later known as the Union and Journal.
He engaged in the manufacture of loom harnesses, reed twine, and varnishes. He was elected Mayor of Biddeford 1855-1857, was president of the City Bank of Biddeford 1856-1858,and elected as a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
to the Thirty-sixth Congress (March 4, 1859-March 3, 1861). He was a member of the Peace Convention of 1861
Peace conference of 1861
The Peace Conference of 1861 was a meeting of more than 100 of the leading politicians of the antebellum United States held in Washington, D.C., in February 1861 that was meant to prevent what ultimately became the Civil War. The success of President Abraham Lincoln and the Republican Party in the...
held in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, in an effort to devise means to prevent the impending war.
He and his wife are mentioned in connection with the seances conducted and the home of Cranston Laurie, a leader of the Spiritualist movement in Washington during the war. According to others, he and his wife were present when both President and Mrs. Lincoln attended the seances.
He engaged in the practice of patent law until his death in that city on February 13, 1888. His interment was in Rock Creek Cemetery.