Theophilus C. Callicot
Encyclopedia
Theophilus Carey Callicot (1826 – November 28, 1920) was an American lawyer, newspaper editor and politician.
, England
, and came with his parents to the United States
as a child. The family settled at Fairfax, Virginia
. He graduated from Delaware College, then studied law at Yale Law School
and was admitted to the bar in New York City
in 1847.
He lived with his wife Fitzina H. Callicot (1829–1867) at 158 High Street in Brooklyn
at the time of the death of their one-year old daughter Mary Fitzina in 1852. Later they had another daughter, Williamina Frederica (1854–1875).
In 1853, he published Hand-book of Universal Geography: Being a Gazetteer of the World (George P. Putnam & Co., 1853, 898 pages, on-line version).
in 1860 and 1863.
In 1860, during the debate of black suffrage, he told the Assembly that "the proposition to put Negroes on a footing of political equality with white men is repugnant to the sense of the American people. They will never consent to share the proud title of 'American citizen' with an inferior and abject race."
In 1863, the New York State Assembly
was tied, having 64 Republicans and Democrats each. The election of a Speaker
proved to be difficult. During the stalemate, Callicot offered the Republican leader Chauncey Depew
a deal: If the Republicans elect him Speaker, then Callicot would help the Republicans elect a U.S. Senator from New York. Depew accepted, and on January 26, Callicot was elected Speaker on the 89th ballot. Shortly afterward, the Democrats accused Callicot of improper proceedings to achieve his election as Speaker and started an investigation during which he was suspended from the speakership, and Depew was elected Acting Speaker. In April, Callicot was cleared of all accusations, and took his seat as Speaker for the remainder of the session.
At the next state election he was defeated for re-election to the Assembly.
appointed him Customs Collector at Brooklyn, New York. In 1868, he was accused of "traffic in illegal liquor", and convicted. He was fined $10,000
and sent to prison for two years. After serving out his term at Albany Penitentiary, he continued to be detained there because he did not pay the fine, and was released only after a presidential pardon in December 1870.
, for more than 15 years, when Governor David B. Hill
transferred the State Printing from the Albany Argus, a pro-Cleveland paper, to Callicot's paper. As the editor, Callicot had "carried on the business of political assassination, abusing the best and lauding the worst men of the Democratic Party. He has used the knife and hatchet freely upon such Democrats as Samuel J. Tilden
, Daniel Manning
, the Cassidys, Governor Lucius Robinson
and President Grover Cleveland
."
In 1896, he became the editor of the Albany Argus.
Early life
He was born in CornwallCornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, and came with his parents to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
as a child. The family settled at Fairfax, Virginia
Fairfax, Virginia
The City of Fairfax is an independent city forming an enclave within the confines of Fairfax County, in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Although politically independent of the surrounding county, the City is nevertheless the county seat....
. He graduated from Delaware College, then studied law at Yale Law School
Yale Law School
Yale Law School, or YLS, is the law school of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Established in 1824, it offers the J.D., LL.M., J.S.D. and M.S.L. degrees in law. It also hosts visiting scholars, visiting researchers and a number of legal research centers...
and was admitted to the bar 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...
in 1847.
He lived with his wife Fitzina H. Callicot (1829–1867) at 158 High Street in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
at the time of the death of their one-year old daughter Mary Fitzina in 1852. Later they had another daughter, Williamina Frederica (1854–1875).
In 1853, he published Hand-book of Universal Geography: Being a Gazetteer of the World (George P. Putnam & Co., 1853, 898 pages, on-line version).
State Assembly
He was a Democratic member from Kings County of the New York State AssemblyNew York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
in 1860 and 1863.
In 1860, during the debate of black suffrage, he told the Assembly that "the proposition to put Negroes on a footing of political equality with white men is repugnant to the sense of the American people. They will never consent to share the proud title of 'American citizen' with an inferior and abject race."
In 1863, the New York State Assembly
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
was tied, having 64 Republicans and Democrats each. The election of a Speaker
Speaker of the New York State Assembly
The Speaker of the New York State Assembly is the highest official in the New York State Assembly, customarily elected from the ranks of the majority party....
proved to be difficult. During the stalemate, Callicot offered the Republican leader Chauncey Depew
Chauncey Depew
Chauncey Mitchell Depew was an attorney for Cornelius Vanderbilt's railroad interests, president of the New York Central Railroad System, and a United States Senator from New York from 1899 to 1911.- Biography:...
a deal: If the Republicans elect him Speaker, then Callicot would help the Republicans elect a U.S. Senator from New York. Depew accepted, and on January 26, Callicot was elected Speaker on the 89th ballot. Shortly afterward, the Democrats accused Callicot of improper proceedings to achieve his election as Speaker and started an investigation during which he was suspended from the speakership, and Depew was elected Acting Speaker. In April, Callicot was cleared of all accusations, and took his seat as Speaker for the remainder of the session.
At the next state election he was defeated for re-election to the Assembly.
Federal office
In 1865, President Andrew JohnsonAndrew 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...
appointed him Customs Collector at Brooklyn, New York. In 1868, he was accused of "traffic in illegal liquor", and convicted. He was fined $10,000
and sent to prison for two years. After serving out his term at Albany Penitentiary, he continued to be detained there because he did not pay the fine, and was released only after a presidential pardon in December 1870.
Newspaper editor
In 1890, he had been the editor of the Albany Evening Times in Albany, New YorkAlbany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
, for more than 15 years, when Governor David B. Hill
David B. Hill
David Bennett Hill was an American politician from New York who was the 29th Governor of New York from 1885 to 1891.-Life:...
transferred the State Printing from the Albany Argus, a pro-Cleveland paper, to Callicot's paper. As the editor, Callicot had "carried on the business of political assassination, abusing the best and lauding the worst men of the Democratic Party. He has used the knife and hatchet freely upon such Democrats as Samuel J. Tilden
Samuel J. Tilden
Samuel Jones Tilden was the Democratic candidate for the U.S. presidency in the disputed election of 1876, one of the most controversial American elections of the 19th century. He was the 25th Governor of New York...
, Daniel Manning
Daniel Manning
Daniel Manning was an American businessman, journalist, and politician most notable for having served as the 37th United States Secretary of the Treasury....
, the Cassidys, Governor Lucius Robinson
Lucius Robinson
Lucius Robinson was an American lawyer and politician. He was the 26th Governor of New York from 1877 to 1879.-Life:...
and President Grover Cleveland
Grover Cleveland
Stephen Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. Cleveland is the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms and therefore is the only individual to be counted twice in the numbering of the presidents...
."
In 1896, he became the editor of the Albany Argus.
Sources
- http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9905E6D81539E033A25751C0A9679C94619ED7CF&oref=slogin The transfer of the State printing contract, with Callicot's curriculum, in NYT on January 2, 1890.
- http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9500E7D81730EE34BC4B51DFB3668383679FDE Proceedings in the case against Callicot and John S. Allen, in NYT on May 23, 1868.
- Stamford Mirror Newspaper - June 30, 1896 Issue - Delaware County, NY at www.dcnyhistory.org Transcription of Stamford Mirror of Stamford, New YorkStamford (town), New YorkStamford is a town in Delaware County, New York, United States. The population was 1,943 at the 2000 census.The Town of Stamford also has a village called Stamford.-Geography:The town is on the north edge of the county...
, edition of June 30, 1896, mentioning Callicot's takeover of the Argus. - http://www.nypl.org/research/chss/spe/rbk/faids/williamsit.pdf The papers of Isaiah Thornton Williams, at NY Public Library.
- http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=940DEFD71331E234BC4152DFB2668389649FDE Obit of daughter Mary Fitzina, in NYT on April 19, 1852.
- Mr. Lincoln and New York at www.mrlincolnandnewyork.org Circumstances of his election as Speaker on Mr. Lincoln and New York.
- http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=990CE4DD1E3BE63BBC4052DFB2668388679FDE&oref=slogin The end of the "Callicot Investigation", in NYT on April 18, 1863.
- http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9406E1DE113BE63BBC4F51DFB7668388679FDE Speaker election, in NYT on January 27, 1863. A Critical Dictionary of English Literature, and British and American Authors, Living and Deceased, from the Earliest Accounts to the Middle of the Nineteenth Century: Containing Thirty Thousand Biographies and Literary Notices, with Forty Indexes of Subjects compiled by Samuel Austin Allibone (page 148; Trübner & Co., 1859)
- http://books.google.com/books?id=Ig4UAAAAIAAJ&q=theophilus+callicot+died&dq=theophilus+callicot+died&hl=pt-BR&pgis=1 Death notice in State Service: An Illustrated Monthly Magazine Devoted to the Government of the State of New York and Its Affairs ed. by James Malcolm (State Service Magazine Co., Inc.) [The site states it is a 1917 edition, but the text says: "...1863, fifty-seven years ago..." which dates the death in 1920. The 1917 year must be wrong anyway since he was alive in 1918 and sent a letter from Germany.]
External links
- 1918-01-27 T. C. Callicot, Democratic Assemblyman, 1918 letter. This is an original handwritten at www.immediateannuities.com facsimile of his letter to Robert LansingRobert LansingRobert Lansing served in the position of Legal Advisor to the State Department at the outbreak of World War I where he vigorously advocated against Britain's policy of blockade and in favor of the principles of freedom of the seas and the rights of neutral nations...
from WiesbadenWiesbadenWiesbaden is a city in southwest Germany and the capital of the federal state of Hesse. It has about 275,400 inhabitants, plus approximately 10,000 United States citizens...
in 1918, at Annuity Museum.