Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-05-18
Brief Sketches of Messrs. Henderson,
Trumbuil, Fessenden and Crimes.

The Senators named above have made
great names for themselves by their
course in the impeachment case, and, as
there will be much curiosity to know all
about them, we present brief sketches OF
their career.
John B. Henderson is a native of Vir-
ginia. He was born November l6, 1926.
His parents moved to Missouri in 1881
both of whom died in 1886 In 1888 he
vent to learn the trade of cabinet
maker, but subsequently was placed on a
farm, where he remained for several
years. After having been some time a
student, he alternately taught and at
tended school till the year lS45. he was
fond of mathematics and the languages.
In lS48 Mr.. Henderson, as a Democrat,
was elected from Pike county to the
Legislature. In l849, having studied
law, Mr. Henderson entered upon the
practice of that profession. In 1850 he
was an unsuccessful candidate for Con;
gress. After that time he devoted him
self assiduously to his duties as a
lawyer, and refused to have anything
to do with politics until 1856, when he
consented to be candidate for the
Legislature, opposed to the Known 9TH
ings, and was elected, though by but q
small majority. In the Legislature he
was werm friend of the internal i'm
provement policy, and also took PROM
inent part in reference to the banking
laws. In 1858 he was defeated for Con-
gress by Thomas L. Anderson, then a
rabid pro-slavery, Buchanan, Lecomp-
ton Constitution man, and now a ram
tankerous Radical In 1860 he was q
delegate to the Democratic National
Convention, and was q strong friend of
Stephen A. Douglas, returning home to
work and speak for the Little Giant. In
the same year he again ran for Congress,
but was defeated by Hon. James S. Rol-
Inns. He was member of the State
Convention in 1861, and took promi-
nent part in its proceedings. He was
offered place on the supreme bench, but
declined the honor. He was then COM
manding a brigade Of State militia, in
which service he continued until Gov.
Gamble, in January, 1862, appointed
him United States Senator, in place OF
Trusten Polk, who had been expelled for
disloyalty. He was afterward elected to
the Senate for six years in 1868, so that
his term of service expires on the 4th OF
March next.
Lyman Trumbull is native of Con-
necticut, born at Colchester, October l3,
1873 He received an excellent educa-
ton and studied law, beginning the prac-
tice of that profession in Georgia, and
shortly afterward removing to Illinois.
In 1910 he was elected to the Legislature,
and for two years following served as
Secretary Of State. From 1848 to 1858
he was one of the Justices of the Su-
preme Court. Up to the time of the
passage of the Kansas. n Nebraska bill he
was q staunch Democrat, but upon that
issue he Joined the opposition, and run
ming for Congress in 1854 against Philip
B. Fouke, received q majority of ten
votes. His entrance into the United
States Senate, where he succeeded James
Shields, is familiar episode in the his
tory of Illinois politics-it being the re-
suit of peculiar combinations. he is
now serving histhird term in the Senate,
which will expire on the 4th of March.
1871. A Washington correspondent,
speaking Of Judge Trumbull, says:
SIN personal appearance Mr.. Trum'
bull is a man of about fifty, OF the me-
dunn size, with light hair, clesnly
shaven face, forehead that projects
over his eyes-or pair of eyes that are
deeply sunken under his forehead-I
don't know which. He is physically of
light weight. and would weigh scarce
hundred and forty pounds. He is near
sighted, and wears spectacles constantly
except when he reads. He then brings
the document, or paper, so near his face
that the two seem in great danger of col
lision. he speaks seldom, but always to
the purpose, and always commands at
tention. he is one of the few men
whose speech stands any chance Of in
fiuencing votes in the Senate. His sue
cess in public life is due wholly to the
respect which the people of Illinois have
for his ability as a statesman, for he has
very few personal friends aud little dis
position to make them.
Judge Trumbull was fcr many years a.
resident Of Belleville, but now claims
Chicago as his home. IL was while in
Uhicago be dehouHced the Radical mob
then about attempting the destruction Of
the Tines newspaper. he is nov, and
has long been, charm Of the Judiciary
Committee OF the Senate, the highest po-
sition in the country, next 10 that Of Chief
Justiee Of the United States Supreme
Court, in legal point Of view.
William Pitt Fessendeu, Of PortlEnd,
Maine, vas born at BoscAven, New