Daniel S. Dickinson
Encyclopedia
Daniel Stevens Dickinson (September 11, 1800 April 12, 1866) was a New York
politician, most notable as a United States Senator from 1844 to 1851.
Born in Goshen, Connecticut
, he moved with his parents to Guilford
, Chenango County, New York
, in 1806. He attended the common schools, was apprenticed to a clothier, and taught school at Wheatland, New York
from 1821 on. In 1822, he married Lydia Knapp. He also engaged in land surveying, studied law, and was admitted to the bar
in 1828. He commenced practice in Guilford, and served as Postmaster
of Guilford from 1827 to 1832. He moved to Binghamton, New York
and served as the first President of the City of Binghamton in 1834.
He was a member of the New York State Senate
from 1837 to 1840. He was Lieutenant Governor of New York
from 1843 to 1844. In 1844, he was a presidential elector and cast his vote for James K. Polk
and George M. Dallas
.
In 1844 he was appointed as a Democrat to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Nathaniel P. Tallmadge
, and was subsequently elected to a full term, serving from November 30, 1844, to March 4, 1851. He was defeated when seeking reelection. While in the Senate, he was chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Finance
(1849–1850), a member of the Committee on Manufactures (Twenty-ninth
and Thirtieth United States Congresses), and a member of the Committee on Private Land Claims (Thirty-first United States Congress). As a senator and after, Dickinson was the leader of the conservative Hunker
faction of the New York Democratic Party, and would eventually become leader of the "Hards" who opposed reconciliation with the more radical Barnburner
faction which had left the party in 1848 to join the Free Soilers
. Dickinson resumed the practice of law in 1851. He was delegate to the 1852 Democratic National Convention
. In 1853, President Franklin Pierce
appointed him Collector of the Port of New York
, but he declined the position. In 1860, he supported John C. Breckinridge
for President.
He was elected New York State Attorney General
in 1861 on a ticket nominated by the Independent People's State Convention (War Democrats
), and endorsed by the Republicans. He was appointed United States Commissioner for the final settlement of the Hudson Bay
and Puget Sound
agricultural claims in 1864. He was considered as a possible vice-presidential candidate when Abraham Lincoln
was running for reelection. Eventually, Dickinson was passed over in favor of Andrew Johnson
. Had he been nominated for vice president, Dickinson would have become president upon Lincoln's death. However, he would have only been able to serve until 1866 and Lafayette S. Foster
would have replaced him as president. Dickinson was, however, appointed by President Lincoln United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York in 1865 which position he held until his death in office the next year.
He died in New York City
, and was buried at the Spring Forest Cemetery in Binghamton.
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
politician, most notable as a United States Senator from 1844 to 1851.
Biography
Goshen, Connecticut
Goshen is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 2,697 at the 2000 census.Each July, the Connecticut Agricultural Fair is held in town. It is also home to the Goshen players.-Geography:...
, he moved with his parents to Guilford
Guilford, New York
Guilford is a town in Chenango County, New York, United States. The town is on the east border of the county. The population was 3,046 at the 2000 census.- History :The land was purchased from the Oneida tribe in 1785.The town was first settled around 1787...
, Chenango County, New York
Chenango County, New York
Chenango County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 50,477. The county's name originates from an Oneida word meaning "large bull-thistle." Its county seat is Norwich.-History:...
, in 1806. He attended the common schools, was apprenticed to a clothier, and taught school at Wheatland, New York
Wheatland, New York
Wheatland is a town in Monroe County, New York, United States. The population was 4,775 at the 2010 census. The town is home to Genesee Country Village and Museum.The Town of Wheatland is located in the southwest part of the county....
from 1821 on. In 1822, he married Lydia Knapp. He also engaged in land surveying, studied law, and was admitted to the bar
Bar (law)
Bar in a legal context has three possible meanings: the division of a courtroom between its working and public areas; the process of qualifying to practice law; and the legal profession.-Courtroom division:...
in 1828. He commenced practice in Guilford, and served as Postmaster
Postmaster
A postmaster is the head of an individual post office. Postmistress is not used anymore in the United States, as the "master" component of the word refers to a person of authority and has no gender quality...
of Guilford from 1827 to 1832. He moved to Binghamton, New York
Binghamton, New York
Binghamton is a city in the Southern Tier of New York in the United States. It is near the Pennsylvania border, in a bowl-shaped valley at the confluence of the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers...
and served as the first President of the City of Binghamton in 1834.
He was a member of the New York State Senate
New York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
from 1837 to 1840. He was Lieutenant Governor of New York
Lieutenant Governor of New York
The Lieutenant Governor of New York is a constitutional office in the executive branch of the government of New York State. It is the second highest ranking official in state government. The lieutenant governor is elected on a ticket with the governor for a four year term...
from 1843 to 1844. In 1844, he was a presidential elector and cast his vote for James K. Polk
James K. Polk
James Knox Polk was the 11th President of the United States . Polk was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. He later lived in and represented Tennessee. A Democrat, Polk served as the 17th Speaker of the House of Representatives and the 12th Governor of Tennessee...
and George M. Dallas
George M. Dallas
George Mifflin Dallas was a U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania and the 11th Vice President of the United States , serving under James K. Polk.-Family and early life:...
.
In 1844 he was appointed as a Democrat to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Nathaniel P. Tallmadge
Nathaniel P. Tallmadge
Nathaniel Pitcher Tallmadge was an American lawyer and politician. He was a U.S. Senator from New York and Governor of the Wisconsin Territory.-Early life:Tallmadge graduated from Union College in 1815...
, and was subsequently elected to a full term, serving from November 30, 1844, to March 4, 1851. He was defeated when seeking reelection. While in the Senate, he was chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Finance
United States Senate Committee on Finance
The U.S. Senate Committee on Finance is a standing committee of the United States Senate. The Committee concerns itself with matters relating to taxation and other revenue measures generally, and those relating to the insular possessions; bonded debt of the United States; customs, collection...
(1849–1850), a member of the Committee on Manufactures (Twenty-ninth
29th United States Congress
-House of Representatives:During this congress, two House seats were added for each of the new states of Texas and Iowa.-Leadership:-Senate:* President: George M. Dallas * President pro tempore: Willie P. Mangum...
and Thirtieth United States Congresses), and a member of the Committee on Private Land Claims (Thirty-first United States Congress). As a senator and after, Dickinson was the leader of the conservative Hunker
Barnburners and Hunkers
The Barnburners were the more radical faction of the New York state Democratic Party in the mid 19th century. The term barnburner was derived from the idea of someone who would burn down his own barn to get rid of a rat infestation, in this case those who would destroy all banks and corporations,...
faction of the New York Democratic Party, and would eventually become leader of the "Hards" who opposed reconciliation with the more radical Barnburner
Barnburners and Hunkers
The Barnburners were the more radical faction of the New York state Democratic Party in the mid 19th century. The term barnburner was derived from the idea of someone who would burn down his own barn to get rid of a rat infestation, in this case those who would destroy all banks and corporations,...
faction which had left the party in 1848 to join the Free Soilers
Free Soil Party
The Free Soil Party was a short-lived political party in the United States active in the 1848 and 1852 presidential elections, and in some state elections. It was a third party and a single-issue party that largely appealed to and drew its greatest strength from New York State. The party leadership...
. Dickinson resumed the practice of law in 1851. He was delegate to the 1852 Democratic National Convention
1852 Democratic National Convention
The 1852 Democratic National Convention was held at Maryland Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. This convention is notable for the hostility between groups of the party, divided over the Compromise of 1850. The convention was called to order by Democratic National Committee chairman Benjamin F....
. In 1853, President Franklin Pierce
Franklin Pierce
Franklin Pierce was the 14th President of the United States and is the only President from New Hampshire. Pierce was a Democrat and a "doughface" who served in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. Pierce took part in the Mexican-American War and became a brigadier general in the Army...
appointed him Collector of the Port of New York
Port of New York and New Jersey
The Port of New York and New Jersey comprises the waterways in the estuary of the New York-Newark metropolitan area with a port district encompassing an approximate area within a radius of the Statue of Liberty National Monument...
, but he declined the position. In 1860, he supported John C. Breckinridge
John C. Breckinridge
John Cabell Breckinridge was an American lawyer and politician. He served as a U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator from Kentucky and was the 14th Vice President of the United States , to date the youngest vice president in U.S...
for President.
He was elected New York State Attorney General
New York State Attorney General
The New York State Attorney General is the chief legal officer of the State of New York. The office has been in existence in some form since 1626, under the Dutch colonial government of New York.The current Attorney General is Eric Schneiderman...
in 1861 on a ticket nominated by the Independent People's State Convention (War Democrats
War Democrats
War Democrats in American politics of the 1860s were adherents of the Democratic Party who rejected the Copperheads/Peace Democrats who controlled the party...
), and endorsed by the Republicans. He was appointed United States Commissioner for the final settlement of the Hudson Bay
Hudson Bay
Hudson Bay , sometimes called Hudson's Bay, is a large body of saltwater in northeastern Canada. It drains a very large area, about , that includes parts of Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Alberta, most of Manitoba, southeastern Nunavut, as well as parts of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota,...
and Puget Sound
Puget Sound
Puget Sound is a sound in the U.S. state of Washington. It is a complex estuarine system of interconnected marine waterways and basins, with one major and one minor connection to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Pacific Ocean — Admiralty Inlet being the major connection and...
agricultural claims in 1864. He was considered as a possible vice-presidential candidate when Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
was running for reelection. Eventually, Dickinson was passed over in favor of Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson was the 17th President of the United States . As Vice-President of the United States in 1865, he succeeded Abraham Lincoln following the latter's assassination. Johnson then presided over the initial and contentious Reconstruction era of the United States following the American...
. Had he been nominated for vice president, Dickinson would have become president upon Lincoln's death. However, he would have only been able to serve until 1866 and Lafayette S. Foster
Lafayette S. Foster
Lafayette Sabine Foster was a nineteenth-century American politician and lawyer from Connecticut...
would have replaced him as president. Dickinson was, however, appointed by President Lincoln United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York in 1865 which position he held until his death in office the next year.
He died in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, and was buried at the Spring Forest Cemetery in Binghamton.